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| Rovaniemi | ||
| Läani | Lapland (Finland) | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 61.763 (2016) | |
| height | 197 m | |
| Tourist info | 358 (0)16 346 270 visitrovaniemi.fi | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Rovaniemi, the "gateway to the north", is the most important and largest city in the Finnish part Lapland. It is the starting point for almost all explorations of the northern areas, especially since the transport links are very good. Rovaniemi is also only roughly eight kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. In the winter months it is therefore dark almost all day.
Rovaniemi is the last reasonably urban place before the loneliness and wilderness of the Arctic take over. There are no similarly large settlements north of the Arctic Circle. The city on the Arctic Circle is therefore a good transition if you come from the south and strive further north.
background
When the German troops withdrew in 1944, they completely destroyed Rovaniemi: not a single house, with the exception of the old station building, remained standing. This is the reason why there are no wooden houses in the city, but concrete buildings. Like many other Finnish cities, Rovaniemi has been completely rebuilt.
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland. There are no similarly sized settlements further north and the transport links are best here.
With a total area of 8 017.20 km² (7 583.32 km² of which is land), Rovaniemi is the largest city in terms of area Europe. The University of Lapland is also the northernmost university in the European Union.
getting there
By plane
The Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) is the largest airport in Northern Finland and is served by a small number of international flights, mostly from destinations in Northern Russia such as Murmansk. There are additional charter flights at Christmas time.
By train
Most long-distance trains from southern Finland end in Rovaniemi (which is the other destination Kolari). The travel time from Helsinki is 9 to 12 hours, so the trains are particularly attractive for overnight stays (in a sleeping car). You can also load your own car.
By bus
In the street
It's best to drive your own car State road 4 (finn. Valtatie, swe. Riskväg) along. This leads from Helsinki from over Jyväskylä and Oulu to Rovaniemi.
mobility
Tourist Attractions
Churches
Castles, chateaux and palaces
Buildings
Monuments
- German military cemetery, Norvajärvi (19 km northeast of the city). Built from large blocks of stone and located in the middle of nowhere. In autumn you can pick berries on the way there.
Museums
- 1 Arctic, Pohoigatan 4 (North of the city). Tel.: (0)16 322 3260. Open: daily 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.Price: Adults: € 12, children € 6, students € 8.
- 2 Rovaniemi Taidemuseo (Rovaniemi Art Museum), Lapinkävijäntie 4, 96100 Rovaniemi. Tel.: 358 16 322 2822, Fax: 358 16 322 3052. Open: Tue - Sun 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Mon closed.Price: Adults € 4, students / retirees / concessions € 2, children under 18 free.
- 3 Santa Claus Village. Tel.: (0)16 356 2096, Fax: (0)16 356 2096, Email: [email protected]. 8 kilometers north of the city, on the road to the airport and after Ivalo, is the Santa Claus Village. The Arctic Circle runs here.
Streets and squares
Parks
various
activities
In the northeast of the city is that Ski AreaOunasvaara. In summer you can also go bobsleigh there.
shop
In the city on Lordin Aukio (Lordi place) there is a larger shopping center where groceries can be bought.
Several smaller shops are along the central streets (Rovakatu, Kosikatu, etc.) placed.
kitchen
A traditional meal (highly recommended) consists of sliced reindeer meat, sliced potatoes with garlic, and cranberries. This dish can be found on most menus in and around the city.
- Golden Rax pizza buffet, Koskikatu 11. Tel.: (0)16 348 3999, Email: [email protected]. For the big hunger.
- Oktetti restaurant, Jäämerentie 31. Tel.: (0)16 311 555, Email: [email protected]. Open: 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.
nightlife
Cheap
In the city center there is a branch of a large US American fast food chain that is open around the clock, also ideal for travelers who, due to delays or bad planning, arrive too late for another bus / train in Rovaniemi in the evening and now Looking for a place to protect yourself from the cold (below -30 ° C are not unrealistic).
medium
Upscale
accommodation
Cheap
- Polar Holidays - Ounasvaaran Pirtit, Rauni Salo, Jonny Hyvönen, Ski Center. Tel.: (0)16 333 0100, Fax: (0)16 369 061, Email: [email protected].
- Scandic Rovaniemi, Koskikatu 23. Tel.: (0)16 460 6000, Fax: (0)16 60 6666, Email: [email protected].
medium
- Lapinportti, Pohjolankatu 19-21. Tel.: (0)16 342 2555, Fax: (0)16 342 2646, Email: [email protected].
- Cumulus Rovaniemi, Valtakatua 23. Tel.: (0)16 333 600, Fax: (0)16 333 6366, Email: [email protected].
- Best Western Oppipoika, Korkalonkatu 33. Tel.: (0)16 338 8111.
Upscale
- Sokos Vaakuna, Koskikatu 4. Tel.: 358 (0)20 1234 695, Fax: 358 (0)16 332 2199, Email: [email protected].
- Rantasipi Pohjanhovi, Pohjanpuistikko 2. Tel.: (0)16 33 711, Fax: (0)16 313 997, Email: [email protected].
Learn
The University of Lapland (FinnishLapin yliopisto) is located south of the train station.
- 1 Lapin yliopisto (University of Lapland), Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi. Tel.: 358 16 341 341, Fax: 358 16 341 2207.
Work
security
health
Practical advice
The prefix for Rovaniemi is 358- (0) 16, the Post Code FIN-96200.
trips
A pair of trains from Helsinki, the "Santa Claus Express", runs beyond Rovaniemi to Kemijärvi. Departure from Rovaniemi 8.15 - arrival in Kemijärvi 9.43.
