The home of Santa Claus is… yes, where actually? In the heart of Finland near the Arctic Circle is the town of Rovaniemi. It is home to Santa Claus Village, the official home of Santa Claus – on the edge of the Arctic. The Arktikum, a museum and science centre in one, is a great place to discover what else makes this region so special. It was opened in 1992 in the centre of Rovaniemi. Here, visitors can learn about the extreme conditions in the Arctic. For example, what is it like when the sun doesn’t rise for months on end? How do the Sami people in Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, live?
In the midst of snow and ice, the 172 metre long glass vault, which points north like a finger, is the first thing you can see from the Arktikum. However, the exhibition rooms are underground. It houses the Arctic Centre, part of the University of Lapland, and the Provincial Museum of Lapland.
Visitors can learn about Arctic research, for example the history and rights of the indigenous peoples. Among other things, they are informed about the challenges they face today. Anthropological, cultural and geographical approaches are brought together here, and the connection between humans and nature is emphasised. Visitors can explore the Arktikum through interactive exhibitions and guided tours. The permanent exhibitions include, for example, the short film Arctic Seasons, which tells of the Northern Lights and the long polar nights to which people and animals – and Father Christmas – have to adapt.
The Arktikum is always open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am and 6 pm (as of July 2024). The regular price is €18, with a concession €11 and €5 for children up to the age of 12. Children under 7 visit the Arktikum free of charge.
For more information: https://www.arktikum.fi/en/home.html
Photo: https://www.arktikum.fi/en/media.html
