Aavasaksan Kruununpuisto park (1878)
Lapland’s oldest tourist destination The splendid national landscape that spreads out from the top of Aavasaksa and the midnight sun have attracted visitors for several centuries. Aavasaksan Kruununpuisto came into being in 1878 when the State purchased the land at Aavasaksanvaara hill in order to be able to serve the increasing flows of visitors. The Imperial Lodge was built in 1882 for visitors to enjoy refreshments and relax. The stone steps that are still in use today were built at around the same time. The rocks scattered about the top of the hill were the calling cards of bygone visitors, and stonemasons have immortalised the initials of the visitors from the 1800s right up to the 1950s. The park is a protected area.
Aavasaksan Kruununpuisto has recently awoken from a long period of “hibernation” and it is even better prepared to serve visitors and locals from the surrounding area. Considerable improvements have been carried out throughout the park: the visitors’ cabin has been restored into the Näköalakahvila panorama café, scenic paths have been surfaced with stone ash and the nature trails now have duckboards and signs. The road leading up to the top is wider, the Kruununäyttämö stage has been built and the viewing tower has been given a roof. All this has been done while protecting nature, the landscape and culture.
Aavasaksa Pavilion (1927, 1999)
Aavasaksa Pavilion was built on top of the hill in 1927 for the summer visitors to use. The building was renovated in neoclassic style in 1999. The renovations, which were funded by the National Board of Antiquities, were in keeping with the former structures and preserved the harmonious original colours of the visitors’ cabin. Skilfully constructed in wood, the pillars, rafters and beams exude the atmosphere of dance pavilions in bygone times.
A café operates in the pavilion in summer. Besides light refreshments, it also serves meals. Consideration has been given to people with limited mobility; the café has an invalid toilet, cars can drive up to the top of the hill and a path suitable for wheelchairs leads to a viewing platform. The pavilion has seating for 50 people and there are more seats on the sunny terrace. Advance reservations for groups. Tel. + 35840 577 41 23 Aavasaksanvaarantie 281, 95620 Aavasaksa.
The Imperial Lodge (1882)
The Imperial Lodge (Keisarinmaja) is the oldest building for tourism in Lapland; it was built on the hill for visitors to the area. Refreshments were served in the lodge and it also provided shelter in bad weather. The hunting lodge was given the name Imperial Lodge in preparation for a visit to Lapland by the Tsar of Russia and the Grand Duke of Finland. A visit to Aavasaksa was planned as part of the Tsar’s itinerary but due to the unstable political situation at the time, the Tsar’s visit was cancelled.
The lodge represents a mixed romantic style with a blend of neoclassic, Karelian, Byzantine and Viking overtones. The pillars and arches are decorative, the wall panels are patterned and the rich carvings on the decorated window surroundings have ornamentation reminiscent of Karelia. Some of the furnishings in the lodge are original. The lodge is owned by Metsähallitus and its use is supervised by the National Board of Antiquities. The Imperial Lodge is open in summer and it houses exhibitions.