SODANKYLÄ
Sodankylä has its own special characteristics: here new and old, traditions and technology meet in quite a unique way. Town standard services and advanced communications make Sodankylä the centre for the administration, services, traffic and communications for Central Lapland.
Lappish nature takes central stage
A third of the total area of Sodankylä comprises a variety of protected regions. Finland’s second largest national park, the Urho Kekkonen National Park and the Pyhä-Luosto National Park offer good opportunities for making excursions throughout the year, whether it be demanding and long wilderness trips or short day trip excursions.
Ground that overflows with riches
The substantial natural resources of Sodankylä are just waiting for the right time to be refined. The Pahtavaara district has gold, whereas Kevitsa holds nickel and copper, and Luosto boasts amethysts.
Art, history, meaningful experiences…
Museum Gallery Alariesto displays the lifework and production of the painter Andreas Alariesto (1900 – 1989). Alariesto is one of our nation’s best naïve painters. The gallery is located in the very heart of Sodankylä, close to the old church and reindeer statue.
The old church of Sodankylä was constructed in 1689 to serve the Lappish villages of Sodankylä’s Sompio, Keminkylä (today known as Savukoski) and Kittilä. The church is one of Finland’s oldest surviving wooden churches. Sodankylä Church, built in 1859, houses the Ethnographic Museum that displays structures and items related to local history. The museum area is situated on a picturesque shore embankment of the Kitinen River.
Europe’s only Amethyst Mine where the visitor can become familiarised with the secrets behind this mysterious gemstone and even excavate their own lucky gem to take home with them. The mine is located in a magnificent panoramic spot in the heart of an old forest protection area between the fells of Pyhä and Luosto, a comfortable trekking distance away.
The Northern Lights Tepee structure at Pohjan Kruunu displays a Northern Lights Show that takes visitors on a journey starting from ancient beliefs on to scientific facts.
The northern parts of the Sodankylä Municipality are old gold washing districts where gold can still be found even today. The Tankavaara Gold Village tells of this tradition not only on the Lapland level, but also on the global scene. Real gold can be found from the gold panning area of the gold village. Each summer a lucky gold digger finds a large nugget, and everyone is guaranteed to find gold! The Gold Museum focuses on Finland’s gold history and Golden World displays gold panning from all over the world.
Events with Shining Stars
Cultural history, the indigenous Sámi and natural phenomena are provided to visitors as genuine experiences. The Midnight Sun Film Festival in June is a gathering for thousands of movie lovers with its presentations of masterpieces of movie history, new blockbusters, silent films, and not forgetting movies for children.
Local culture, the indigenous Sámi, reindeer husbandry and local history are presented to the visitor at the Vuotso Lappish Market with demonstrations of work, exhibitions, programmes, competitions, sales products and Sámi music.
Luosto Classic is a groundbreaking and diverse classical music event that brings artistic music and the world’s top bands outside into the fell nature to provide people with genuine experiences in August.
Held in every summer in the month of August, Tankavaara hosts the Gold Panning National or International Championships, where the professional and amateur gold panning enthusiasts compete for the coveted title.