Town of Kemijärvi
The Kemijärvi town centre is located on a neck of land surrounded by the River Kemijoki delta, Lake Kemijärvi, Kuumalampi Pond and Lake Pöyliöjärvi in addition to dozens of hills and fell ranges. A relaxed walk is an ideal way to explore the picturesque environment. On a good day, you can even see the Pyhätunturi radio mast beacon flashing in the northern horizon. The Lake Pöyliöjärvi beach is located right in the heart of the town, usually a sheltered place to sunbathe even in windy weather, and at its best, it’s like a little paradise - our Town Mayor welcomes You to Kemijärvi.
Artistic wood sculpting is an honourable way of processing wood. As a result of the activities of a number of Kemijärvi Wood Sculpting Symposium events, Kemijärvi is now home to a respectable collection of wood sculptures in the Puustelli Art Centre. The Kemijärvi town centre also has numerous outdoor works of art and monuments, in fact around 40 in all. The Kemijärvi Music College, Culture Centre, Folk High School, Spa & Swimming Baths Poukama, ice rink and sports hall and the nearby fell resorts of Pyhä and Suomu provide plenty of varied possibilities for activities for townspeople and tourists alike. The renovated dairy facility in the town centre now houses an artist residence activity, which has started with a bang and is bringing new cultural themes to the town.
Traditional places to visit in Kemijärvi are the Church, old clock tower (1774) and the Ethnographic Museum. The inner courtyard of the State Offices (Virastotalo) probably has the only remaining flogging pine spot in Northern Finland. Flogging and caning punishments were used to enforce justice back in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Today’s Jurisdictional District Office is located in the State Offices (Virastotalo) building, next to the flogging pine, so the punishments of old are not easily forgotten. The Snowmobile Museum has old brands such as Winha, Larven, some propeller machines and plenty of other items related to the snowmobiling culture. Bombardier-snowbus rides arranged for a small fee. Welcome to explore the multifaceted history of the world of snowmobiling.
There are about 14 historical boards in the city centre. They tell old stories and history by texts and photos. The places of the boards can be seen on the maps "Walking and bicycling in the city centre, part 1 and 2". You can also find the texts in German and French from our Tourist Info, address: Vapaudenkatu 8.
In addition to having traditional giftware, Kemijärvi also has plenty more local production.
