Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland, famous for being the home of Santa Claus, and is located right on the Arctic Circle.
The city lies at the confluence of the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki rivers and is a meeting point for trade, people, and northern cultures.
In terms of geographical area, Rovaniemi is one of the largest cities in Europe, covering 8,016 square kilometers. With approximately 61,000 inhabitants, it is the fifteenth largest city in Finland.
The history of the Rovaniemi region dates back approximately 8,000 years, when the search for new lands suitable for agriculture began.
For thousands of years, Rovaniemi was also a stopover for hunters, fishermen, and traders who exported furs and other goods from north to south.
The exploitation of Lapland’s natural resources in the 19th century fueled Rovaniemi’s growth, and by the early 19th century, the city began to grow into the administrative, cultural, and commercial center of Lapland.
Rovaniemi’s modern appearance is primarily due to the city’s almost total destruction during World War II and the subsequent reconstruction that began in 1946.
Today, you can stroll through the main square, Lordi’s Square, surrounded by popular restaurants and shops, see the city’s old train station, and Rovaniemi Church, the main church, also rebuilt in 1950.
