Kauppilanmäki: Village History and Landscape

In the eastern part of Vieremä lies Kauppilanmäki, a village near the municipal borders with Sonkajärvi and Iisalmi. The landscape, family history and communal places offer different ways to connect with the area: you can explore the higher-lying countryside, follow the historical traces of the Kauppinen family or discover the former schoolhouse as a meeting place. In 2014, Kauppilanmäki was chosen as the Village of the Year in Pohjois-Savo.

Landscape and Location

Kauppilanmäki lies at an elevation of about 190 metres above sea level, in a higher-lying area. In the 2024 regional plan proposal, the area is designated as a regionally valuable landscape area. Its former use offers another perspective on the landscape: the slopes, where spruce forests grew well, once provided good conditions for slash-and-burn cultivation. Here, then, a historical form of land use meets a regional landscape designation—two different aspects of the area’s history.

The location also provides a clear point of reference: Kauppilanmäki is near the municipal borders with Sonkajärvi and Iisalmi. There are quick road connections from here to Vieremä and Iisalmi. When planning your trip, you can consider the geographical location and the road connections separately: one describes the village’s position, the other its connections to the two places.

Traces of Village History

The name Kauppilanmäki is closely connected to the surname Kauppinen, which derives from the first name Kauppi. The Kauppinen family came to Kauppilanmäki from Leppävirta by 1599 at the latest. The brothers Riekki and Jussi built their houses next to each other there. The story behind the name thus leads to a specific early settlement in the village. In 2014, another distinction was added, with a clearly defined date: Kauppilanmäki was chosen as the Village of the Year in Pohjois-Savo.

Rapakko House in Kauppilanmäki was completed in 1926. Rapakko and neighbouring Ristola are described as the ancestral homes of the Kauppinen family in Ylä-Savo. Together with the account of the first Kauppinen settlers, this connection shows how the area’s history can be told through both family names and individual houses.

Communal Places

The former school is an old log building that exudes the dignified character of a bygone era. It serves as a meeting place for villagers and associations, and can be rented for events and celebrations. The former school has a function hall and an adjoining room with space for 60 to 80 people. The school can also be used for art storage. If you are planning an event or this kind of activity, check availability in advance with the village association.

There is a wood-fired sauna in the courtyard of the village community centre. It was fully renovated in 2010 and can accommodate about ten people. Confirm its current availability before planning to use it.

Choose the Right Location for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider which aspects of Kauppilanmäki are most important for your stay: the landscape and its historical use, the history of the Kauppinen family, or the village’s communal places. The quick road connections to Vieremä and Iisalmi offer another practical point of reference when choosing a location.

Discover more destinations: Kiuruvesi, Airaksela, Vehmersalmi, Tervo, Karttula, Rautalampi, Hiltulanlahti, Kaavi.

For the overview of the wider region: North Savo.