Rovaniemi and it’s architecture is widely affected with one of Finland’s most famous architects, Alvar Aalto. As you might have noticed, the architecture and infrastructure in Rovaniemi is relatively new, at least compared to other Finnish or European cities. In 1944, during the World War II, German troops burned the city almost completely to the ground – almost 90% of the city was destroyed. After the war it was time to start rebuilding. All in all, the rebuilding was fast and quite a success, and by 1953 so many new houses had been built in Rovaniemi that the building stock exceeded the pre-war number.

Alvar Aalto

After Rovaniemi was destroyed, there was a need to build a new city. Famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto was called in to help and to work as the head designer of the city. He felt like he was obligated to help, and the marks of his work are still seen in Rovaniemi today. For example, the picture above shows Rovaniemi city hall, which is one of the buildings Aalto designed.

Aalto designed Rovaniemi zoning plan to look like a reindeer’s head. This zoning plan, called the “reindeer antler zoning plan” is a famous piece of Rovaniemi architecture and still seen today in the map of Rovaniemi. The Rovaniemi Sports Arena acts as the eye of the reindeer, and the antlers are formed by roads heading towards North, West and South. This zoning plan started Alvar Aalto’s work in Rovaniemi in 1945.

After working the zoning plan, Aalto started to design buildings around Rovaniemi. In the picture above you can see a part of an entire block that Aalto designed. On that property lies Rovaniemi city hall, Rovaniemi main library and Lappia house, where Rovaniemi’s theatre is located. The first of these buildings was the main library, and it was finished and opened to the public in 1965. The building itself is square shaped with a fan-like library area and so-called “book pits”, which you can see also in other libraries that Aalto designed. His idea was that the reader descends to the world of the books.

The second building around the Aalto square was the theatre and congress centre Lappia house, which ended up being the last building that Alvar saw finished. The wavy shape of the building is said to represent the Finnish fells and the flagpoles in front Finnish forests. Some parts were built earlier in the 60’s and 70’s, but officially the building as seen today was finished later on 1975. Aalto died in 1976, so the opening of this building was his last, but fortunately he saw it fully finished and in action.

The third building, the city hall was finished after his death. His wife Elissa Aalto played a big role finishing the plans and building of this structure, and it was finally finished in 1986, ten years after Alvar’s death. All of the buildings have Artek furniture, a classical Finnish brand with Alvar Aalto as one of the founders and the original purpose of the company to sell Aalto’s designs.

Alongside this administration and culture block Aalto designed other buildings around Rovaniemi; a residential area in Korkalonrinne and a few buildings for the Aho family, for example their family home and some buildings in Koskikatu as part of a denser urban environment. In the wall one of these buildings, Koskikatu 20, is the only relief that he designed to be attached to the building.

Ferdinand Salokangas

With Alvar Aalto, Ferdinand Salokangas also played a big role in Rovaniemi’s architecture and designed many buildings all over Rovaniemi from the end of the 1940’s to the beginning of the 1960’s. For example his designs are Rovaniemi fire station, a residential building in Inapolku, multiple school buildings and dormitories for the teachers, old Rovaniemi town hall located in the city center and his own atelier and home in Karhunkaatajantie.

One of Salokangas’ remarkable designs is also the Roosevelt cottage. In 1950 Eleanor Roosevelt wanted to visit Rovaniemi to see the rebuilding of the city. There was no time to lose, since the news about the visit arrived to Rovaniemi only two weeks before Eleanor was supposed to arrive. Salokangas designed the building, and a team of construction workers built the cottage in a week from local wood, finishing it just in time and placed the doors to the building as Eleanor Roosevelt was landing to Rovaniemi.

The Roosevelt Cottage was the start of the Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle as we see today. People started to stop there to visit, rest and buy souvenirs, and slowly the area started to develop piece by piece. Now this building lays in the middle of the Santa Claus Village, for everyone to visit and see a part of the locations history.

Lumberjack Candle Bridge

Heading from the city center to Ounasvaara you can cross a bridge called the Lumberjack Candle Bridge. Lumberjack Candle is a traditional outdoor fire, a source of warmth and light used in Finland. It is made with dry pine tree, “kelo”, and is made by sawing one end of the log into four parts or drilling holes onto the wood and lighting fire inside.

This bridge was inspired by this traditional outdoor fire, and an Oulu-based architecture group SuunnitteluKortes won the competition to plan this bridge with this design. It was finished in 1989 and in 1990 the bridge was awarded with a Civil engineering prize of the year.

Arktikum

One of the most pictured place in Rovaniemi might be Arktikum museum and it’s surroundings. Located next to the highway 4 and Ounasjoki, Arktikum was designed to look like a northern frozen finger pointing towards North. It was designed by a Danish group of architects Birch-Bonderup & Thorup-Waade, and it was opened on Finland’s 75th independence day on December 6th, 1992.

Korundi

Even though most of the city was destroyed, some buildings did survive in the city center and are still here today. One example is Korundi House of Culture, now home of the Rovaniemi Art Museum and Lapland Chamber Orchestra. The building was originally built in 1933 as a post car depot. After the war the building was expanded with bricks collected all around Rovaniemi and it’s ruins.

It was designed to be Rovaniemi Art Museum by Juhani Pallasmaa, and the renovation was finished and the museum was open to public in 1986. The building was expanded and renovated again in 2009-2010, and after that it became the Korundi as we see today, combining city history and modern architecture.

Rovaniemi Church

Rovaniemi’s old wooden church was also destroyed in the fire in 1944. This new church was designed by Bertel Liljequist, and it was finished in 1950 to the same spot that the old church used to exist. Local stone was used, and it is said that the building of the church symbolizes the end of the rebuilding era.

The altar fresco of Rovaniemi church is designed and painted by a Finnish artist Lennart Segerstråle, who was very appreciated in his field. Painting of the big, 140 square meter fresco took the artist and his help months, and finally in October 1951 it was revealed by the vicar of the time. The name of the fresco is “Elämän lähde”, meaning “The Source of Life”, and the artist told that he got the inspiration to it from the experiences about the destruction of the Lapland War.

The interior design, decorative paintings ang glass paintings are designed and made by Antti Salmenlinna, and are inspired by traditional, Northern Finland everyday life. For example, in the paintings the biblical metaphorical sheep has been replaced by a reindeer.

Come and see all of this and so much more with your own eyes!

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland has so much to offer. Come and learn more about Rovaniemi history and get amazing new memories and experiences while exploring this Arctic city.

The post Why does Rovaniemi look like it does? Read more about the architecture and its history and head to explore the city. appeared first on Santa's Hotels.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Luosto is a small village of only a few hundred inhabitants but possesses an even bigger heart. Home to the ski resorts of Luosto and Pyhä, local reindeer herders and farms, the one of a kind Lampivaara Amethyst mine and of course Santa’s Hotel Aurora & Igloos.

Santa’s Hotel Aurora is your perfect boutique style hotel and glass igloo accommondation. Enjoy an all-inclusive wilderness retreat with high-quality services and meals right outside the pristine nature of Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Room types range from standard to suite with the common theme being the warm cottage feel. All of the rooms are equipped with own saunas and half of them also with fireplaces.

Upgrade your arctic holiday with a glass igloo stay. Round off the day with a magical night in a glass igloo beneath Northern sky, with stars, Aurora Borealis and snowfalls. On a clear night, the dance of Northern Lights can be seen from the warmth of your bed.

Restaurant Aurora serves high class dining with a cozy ambiance. Local ingredients are transformed into international high-class delicacies on the lava stone grill in the open kitchen. After dinner raise a toast in the warm glow of lobby’s open fireplace.

Access Luosto easily with a bus operating between the destinations daily. Book tickets from Matkahuolto.

Combine Luosto and Rovaniemi

For the complete Lapland experience combine Luosto and Rovaniemi to discover how easy it’s to shift from the vibrant city life to a small quiet village.

With its 11 direct connections from Europe’s most important international airports and easy access flightsand transfers from the capital Helsinki, Rovaniemi offers a great gateway for international travellers to step further in Lapland.

Stay in Rovaniemi for the first few nights and enjoy the best restaurants, nightlife, activities and attractions such as Santa’s Village. Go shopping for Nordic design and Finnish handicrafts at the brick and mortar stores of likes such as Marimekko and Iittala. Enjoy the urban life harmonously co-existing with the surrounding nature.

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus offers a rich variety of accomondation right in the heart of the city. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle hosts guests in Premium Igloos 10 minute drive away from the Rovaniemi Airport in Santa’s Village.

Contact our sales services for assistance:

Sales: +358 400 102 200
rovaniemi(at)santashotels.fi

The post Luosto | The hidden gem of Lapland appeared first on Santa's Hotels.

Santa’s Village is located about 8 kilometers from the downtown Rovaniemi and about 2 kilometers from Rovaniemi Airport. Attracting thousands of travellers a year it provides an unforgettable Christmas experience.

Santa’s Village is only a few minute and few hundred meter walk away from Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle.

Here are our tips for what to do in Santa’s Village!

Cuddle with animals at Elf’s Farmyard

Elf’s Farmyard is a small petting zoo in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Find the small farmyard right in Santa’s backyard and meet the reindeer, alpacas, sheep, llamas, goats, rabbits and different birds. You can watch domestic animals in their daily activities under Arctic weather conditions and, best of all, you can pet and feed some of them.

Elf’s Farmyard’s specialties are reindeer and alpaca walks. Take an alpaca or reindeer for a walk through the glittering forests and experience nature in a way out of ordinary. A skilled guide will come along for it.

Elf’s Farmyard is open all year around.

Go sledding and ice skating in SnowmanWorld

Sledding and ice skating are core memories from childhoods’ of many Finns. You can experience the child-like joy at any age and SnowmanWorld is the perfect place for that!

There are ice and snow slides for everyone in SnowmanWorld‘s bigger and smaller sledding hills. If you are interested in trying ice skating but have no experience you will be provided a skating lesson. In the between of all the snow and ice fun, you can make a stop in their ice bar for warming drinks.

SnowmanWorld is closed for spring and summer and will be reopened for the winter.

Become an elf at Elf’s Hat Academy

On the Arctic Circle, close by Santas’ Main Office, there is a magical place named Elf Academy. It is an academy like no other – the place where different kind of elves gather to learn the ancient elf wisdoms and crafts.

Expect to become one of the elves, sneak peek into their daily lives in the academy and experience the preparations for Christmas on the Arctic Circle. Upon graduation, our students will receive a special elf mark to symbolize the newly acquired wisdom and, of course, an Elf Academy graduates’ diploma to always remember the secrets you learned.

Book your academy experience from Snowmobile Park.

Meet the sweet Mrs. Claus

For years Santa Claus has been doing all the meetings himself but lately Mrs. Claus has also decided to step in. Meet Mrs. Claus and take a picture with her at Mrs. Santa Claus’ Christmas Cottage.

Mrs. Claus and her elves will guarantee you the best visit possible!

Shop Finnish Design from factory outlets and local workshop stores

For locals Santa’s Village is known for its shopping possibilities. With multiple factory outlets of beloved Finnish brands Santa’s Village makes shopping fun and atmospheric whether it be for Christmas or souvenirs.

Find the outlet stores of Iittala, Marimekko and Pentik right next to the main square of Santa’s Village. Shopping at the local workshop store of Marttiini for handicrafted Finnish knives is definetely worth it too.

Learn more Rovaniemi area here!

The post What to do in Santa’s Village? appeared first on Santa's Hotels.

We at Santa’s Hotels are against all forms of discrimination, such as trans- and homophobia. As a family owned business aspiring to create a home-like environment we welcome all of our guests and staff with open arms just as they are. 

It is important to us to be sincere and transparent in our actions regarding equality and voice our support for love and self expression out loud. We are always open to learning and bettering ourselves and our actions. 

What does our allyship look like? 

• We are steadily updating and increasing representation of diverse people and relationships in our marketing materials. 
• Our staff is being educated on diversity and inclusion. 
• We cherish one another and treat all guests and staff equally no matter their gender or sexual identity or other factor.
• According to European Union’s whistleblower policy, there are internal channels within the company for staff to report discrimination and provide feedback.  

Safer space principles

• Respect others and be kind.
• Be mindful of the language you use.
• Respect everyones right to define or not to define themselves. Everyone has the right to choose which name and pronouns to be called by. 
• Keep up judgment free environment.

Learn more about LGBTI+ rights in Finland here!

Santa’s Hotels is a family owned local hotel chain operating in four destination in Finnish Lapland as well as in Kalajoki, Otstrobothnia. We in Santa’s Hotels believe in taking responsibility, strength of positivity, discretion and of course in Santa Claus.

Responsibility is important to us. Find our sustainability program here.

The post LGBTQIA+ friendly Santa’s Hotels appeared first on Santa's Hotels.

Travel by ground

Trains from Helsinki to Rovaniemi depart multiple times a day. The Northernmost train station can be found in Kemijärvi, but for the easiest connections around Lapland Rovaniemi offers you a great layover place. In Rovaniemi you can stay at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, Santa’s Hostel Rudolf or Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle.

Domestic busses take you to Lapland from all over Finland. You can also reach Finnish Lapland by bus from Norway and Sweden. You can reach all of our destinations by bus.

See different busses from here:

For experienced drivers a rental car can also be an option. If you feel wary of driving in dark, snowy and icy conditions, we recommend weighing your options carefully.

Flying to Lapland: Direct flights to Rovaniemi

Multiple airlines have added direct flights to Rovaniemi from international airports for season 2022-23. From Rovaniemi Airport you can catch a bus or a taxi either to Santa’s Village or Rovaniemi downtown. There’s also Ski Bus shuttle service departing from the airport according to flight timetables heading to Pyhä-Luosto National Park area where you can find one of our destinations Santa’s Hotel Aurora and Igloos.

Ryanair will fly directly to Rovaniemi from London Stansted, Bryssel and Dublin from November 2022 to March 2023.

EasyJet will fly directly to Rovaniemi from London Gatwick from November 2022 to March 2023. EasyJet will also operate flights to Rovaniemi from Bristol and Manchester from November 2022 to the beginning of January 2023. From the beginning of December until the end of January Easy Jet is flying to Rovaniemi from Milan Malpensa on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Air France will fly directly Rovaniemi from Paris from end of November 2022 to March 2023 on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Eurowings will fly directly to Rovaniemi from Dusseldorf and Hamburg from December 2022 to March 2023.

Turskish Airlines will fly directly to Rovaniemi from Istanbul from midway of December 2022 to the beginning of February 2023.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will fly directly from Amsterdam to Rovaniemi from the beginning of December 2022 to March 2023 every Saturday.

Finnair operates daily flights from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Rovaniemi Airport all through the year.

Norwegian operates flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.

Flying to Lapland: direct flights to Ivalo and Kittilä

Lufthansa will fly direct flights from Frankfurt to Ivalo Airport (Saturdays between 19.11.22 and 18.3.2023). From Ivalo Airport you can catch a bus to Saariselkä, known for it’s fells and skiing opportunities, where you can stay at Santa’s Hotel Tunturi. The ride only takes about 20 minutes. You can also reach Ivalo Airport directly from Helsinki-Vantaa with Finnair.

Another ski resort and fell area Levi is located only about 15 minute drive from Kittilä Airport. You can reach Kittilä Airport directly from Helsinki-Vantaa with Finnair. From Levi you can find our luxurious Santa’s Villa Laavu designed for groups and families. Levi is located about 2 hour drive away from Rovaniemi and busses operate between the destinations.

Flying to Lapland: direct flights to Tromso

To reach northwest Lapland, its wilderness areas and mountains you can fly to Tromso, Norway and come down to Kilpisjärvi village with a bus. In Kilpisjärvi you can stay in our full service apartments in Santa’s Chalets Rakka.

We are opening a new wooden built high-end design hotel Santa’s Hotel Rakka in February 2023.

News:

Finnair to launch daily flights to and from Doha : News | Finnair

Finnair to return with weekly flights to and from Guangzhou: News | Finnair

This article will be updated as airlines and other operators publish more connections.

Santa’s Hotels’ special offers

You now know how to get to Lapland so don’t forget to check out our offers for the season!

The post How to get to Lapland in Winter 2022-23 appeared first on Santa's Hotels.

Includes room decoration with satin sheets and double blankets on a mattress overlay, bathrobes and slippers, rose petals on the bed and champagne bottle 37,50 cl.
Available in glass igloo or hotel room.

Price 130 EUR/package

Bookings and more information:
Santa’s Hotel Aurora
luosto(at)santashotels.fi

The post Aurora Love Package in Luosto appeared first on Santa's Hotels.

Upon arrival you will be greeted with welcome drinks and you can walk hand-in-hand to your igloo as the elves will take care of your luggage.
A special gift awaits for you in the igloo.
Enjoy an unhurried departure day, cuddle up after a breakfast and enjoy the late check-out.

Love at the Arctic Circle Package includes welcome drinks, pillow gift, luggage delivery to the igloo, late check-out upon availability (time will be confirmed at booking). 

Price 125 EUR/igloo/stay

Please note that the package is not including the accommodation.

Bookings:
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle, info.arcticcircle(at)santashotels.fi

The post Love at the Arctic Circle Package appeared first on Santa's Hotels.

Conquering Saana Fell

Saana Fell is undoubtedly the most recognizable sight in Kilpisjärvi. Its summit rises 1029 above sea level and over 500 meters above the surface of Lake Kilpisjärvi. The majestic silhouette of Saana Fell dominates the village and the vast vistas opening up from the top are breathtaking, offering views of Finland, Sweden and Norway.

The best and safest time to conquer Saana Fell is during the summer months. A marked trail, which is nearly 5 km long, leads to the top. The starting point of the trail is across the road from the parking lot by the entry to Malla Nature Reserve, at the northern end of the village.

Take into account the quickly changing weather conditions when you plan your hike up to Saana Fell and dress accordingly – it may be sunny and warm with clear skies, but it may be frosty and stormy as well, even in the middle of July. Chances are you won’t be the solitary hiker, thousands of people visit the summit every summer. The only way to reach the summit is on foot – motorized vehicles are not allowed on the slopes of Saana.

Visit to the Three-Country Cairn

The Three-Country Cairn marks the point where Finland, Sweden and Norway meet, thus it’s an international tripoint, the northernmost in the world. It is also said to be the world’s most peaceful border – no border control, no guards, no customs lanes are anywhere to be seen. The monument itself, a cone-shaped block of concrete, approximately 4 meters in diameter, was erected here in 1926, on an artificial island in a shallow lake. It is by no account an attractive sight in itself, but the surrounding nature and the landscapes make the trip an unforgettable experience. The easiest way to get to the Cairn is by boat, the M/S Malla and M/S Maria, which sail across Lake Kilpisjärvi three times a day. The boat trip starts in the immediate vicinity of Kilpisjärvi Holiday Village Camping, crosses the lake in thirty minutes and docks at Koltaluokta bay. From there it’s a 3 km hike to the Cairn. The boat waits at its dock to take the visitors back across the lake. The boat sails during the summer months, normally from mid-June, when the lake is free from its ice cover, until the latter part of September. For further information, please check www.mallalaiva.com.

You can also reach the Cairn by hiking through Malla Nature Reserve, either round trip (see below) or one way, having first crossed the lake by boat.

Malla Nature Park

Officially called Malla Strict Nature Reserve, this is one of Finland’s oldest protected nature areas. Named after the two Malla Fells which rise from the northern shore of Lake Kilpisjärvi the Malla Nature Reserve is a botanist’s paradise, located in a unique year-round arctic environment and boasting rare plants produced by calciferous soil. Access to visitors is limited to the 11-km long marked hiking trail which runs across the park from the Three-Country Cairn to a parking area which is located by the main road at the northern end of Kilpisjärvi village. You can start the hike on this trail at either end. Do note that there are no services along the trail, camping is not allowed, nor are bicycles and motorized vehicles. The only shelter is found near the Three-Country Cairn where a wilderness hut is at the hikers’ disposal free of charge. The trail features a few rocky ascents and descents as well as easy walk paths. During the flood season in early summer and in the fall crossing the many brooks en route may pose a challenge. If you don’t wish to venture all the way through the park, a nice option is a visit to Pikku-Malla Fell, which offers panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding fell country. A marked 7 km trail leads from the roadside parking area to the summit of Pikku-Malla and back.

While many visitors to Kilpisjärvi visit these sights independently you can also book a local guide to accompany you. 
Contact Fell Guide Martti Niskanen at www.thelaplandconnection.com, laplandconnection(at)gmail.com.

The post Trekking tips in Kilpisjärvi appeared first on Santa's Hotels.