Rovaniemi's Culture - A blend of Lapland's mysticism and urban city life

Rovaniemi is much more than just a city in the north. Rovaniemi is a northern metropolis where ancient traditions and modern urban culture meet. Located at the confluence of two major rivers, Kemijoki and Ounasjoki, the city is home to approximately 65,000 residents and the pulsating heart of the entire Lapland region. Here, the Arctic nature is not just a decorative frame for the city, but an essential part of people’s identity, art, and daily life.

For lovers of culture and science, Rovaniemi offers world-class destinations that deeply reveal the northern way of life. Arktikum is an architecturally stunning science center and museum, with a long glass tube pointing towards the northern sky. It tells stories of Arctic history, nature, and indigenous cultures.

Right next to Arktikum is the Pilke Science Centre, which showcases the significance and sustainable use of northern forests in a fun and engaging way. Together, these sites form a cultural hub where visitors can understand how life in the Arctic Circle is possible and why it is so enchanting.

Arktikum is a science center and museum located right in the heart of Rovaniemi, where you can explore the nature, culture, and history of the northern region.

Arktikum was completed in 1997 and serves as a popular destination for both locals and tourists. With its glass roof, Arktikum is a building designed by the Danish architectural firm Birch-Bonderup & Thorup.

Arktikum features both temporary and permanent exhibitions where you can learn a great deal about the nature and history of the North.

The Pilke Science Centre in Rovaniemi is an interactive forest-themed science center that tells about the sustainable use, significance, and wood products of northern forests. The exhibition located in the Pilke House offers activities and exploration for all ages, showcasing our relationship with forests through the senses. It also serves as a forest-themed visitor attraction.

Rovaniemi’s soul is found where the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers meet. Historically, the city located at the river fork has been an important trading post and a junction for log floating, and today it serves as a living room for its residents. The Jätkänkynttilä Bridge, which crosses the Kemijoki River, is an iconic landmark of the city and symbolizes Rovaniemi’s rise and modernization.

The riverbanks offer magnificent settings for summer cultural events as well as quiet walks under the Northern Lights. This union of water and land has created Rovaniemi’s unique atmosphere: urban city living and wild wilderness are inseparable here.