Culture

Here we present the cultural highlights of Sea Lapland

From the past to the present

The first to introduce the far-off North to the Europeans was the Swedish historian and cartographer, the cathedral dean of Strängnäs Olaus Magnus Gothus. The Latin epos the History of the People of the North was published in 1555.

Art

Enjoy art in Sea Lapland at Aine and Kemi Art Museums. Aine Art Museum is a wonderfully versatile museum founded by passionate art collectors Eila and Veli Aine. Museum is definitely worth visiting with time. The Kemi Art Museum has wonderful exhibitions of contemporary artists, whose works you can also buy.

Museums

At the recently renewed Kemi Historical Museum and the Provincial Museum of the Tornio Valley, you can explore the cultural history of the region. The Pahnila Museum, The Tervola and the Keminmaa Local Arts and Crafts Museums offer additional places to learn about the cultural landscape in Sea Lapland.

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Guided tours in Sea Lapland

The border has throughout history given a chance to trade in a legal or illegal way. The smuggling stories are sure to be fascinating especially when they are told by a professional guide.

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Arctic Gems & Comics

The Northernmost permanent comics exhibition in the world can be found in Kemi, in Finnish Lapland. The exhibition presents both foreign and domestic comics in three-dimensional characters and with original drawings. At the Kemi Gemstone Gallery, in addition of marveling the original, handsome Crown of the King of Finland and over three thousand minerals and gemstones from around the world.

Note! The exhibition is closed from December 1, 2021 due to relocation. The new location will be announced in spring 2022.

Brewery

The brewery tour offers a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the premises and equipment of Tornio Brewery, as well as the ingredients and manufacturing process of Lappish handicraft beer. In the brewery’s restaurant you can taste its products and buy favorites from the brewery’s store.

Kukkolankoski rapids

Experience the effervescence of the Tornionjoki River and the unique Bay of Bothnia.

The Mummy

St. Michael’s Church in Keminmaa was built in 1521-1553. The church features original artefacts and ceiling paintings, as well as its most famous pastor, Rungius, who predicted he would not rot after his death. His mummy lies under the floor of the church, where he was also buried in his time.

Unesco World Heritage Site

Struve measured the shape and length of the earth in the bell tower of the Church of Alatornio in 1842-1851. In 2005, the Struve measuring chain was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Struve chain represents the cultural heritage of science and technology.

Churches

There are many churches of cultural-historical and architectural significance in the area of Sea Lapland. Take a church tour, quiet down for a moment and find your favorite church. In summer, the churches function as road churches and are open almost daily. There is also a guide on site presenting the church.

Our Land / Meänmaa

The Tornio Valley from the Gulf of Bothnia to the north has formed its own cultural area and united people for centuries. The borders of the states were later drawn to the Tornionjoki river, but the people are still united and call the region Meänmaa (Our Land), which also has its own flag.