Discover Suomussalmi: Art, History and Nature

Suomussalmi offers a variety of reasons to visit: the centre is home to a church, exhibition and beach, while the municipality and surrounding area offer natural attractions and sites of military history. When looking for a holiday rental, you can therefore tailor your stay to the experiences you want to focus on.

Church, finds and art in the town centre

Ämmänsaari Church is in the centre of Suomussalmi and was consecrated in 1967. The building was designed by Suunnittelu Oy Niemelä. Its furnishings include a 14-stop organ made by Tuomi and Co. Organ Builders in 1968. The altarpiece was painted in 1979 by Irja Juntunen, an artist born in Suomussalmi. The church thus brings together architecture and art history, with names and dates rooted in the region.

The prehistoric exhibition at Jalonniemitalo in Ämmänsaari also offers a glimpse into the area's history. On display are original finds from Suomussalmi: jewellery and casting moulds, stone axes and chisels, slate and flint points, quartz scrapers, and Iron Age tools. These are joined by finds from the Peranka cremation burial. The collection ranges from jewellery to tools, offering several ways to explore the past.

Ämmänpäre, an environmental artwork in steel designed by Aleksi Jaakkola, can be found at Jätkänpuisto. Jätkänpuisto Beach is just a few steps from the centre. The church, exhibition, artwork and beach thus bring different points of interest together in central Suomussalmi.

Hossa: landscapes, trails and rock paintings

Hossa National Park lies mainly in the northern part of the municipality of Suomussalmi, but also extends into the city of Kuusamo and the municipality of Taivalkoski in North Ostrobothnia. The park was established in 2017, the year marking the centenary of Finnish independence, under the Hossa National Park Act (296/2017). Pine-covered heathland, ridges and clear waters shape the landscape in Hossa.

Around 90 kilometres of routes and trails are available for outdoor activities. Hiking and cycling are among the options described; mountain bikers can choose from four marked routes, including one designated as an IMBA EPIC route. Hossa's clear ponds, lakes and rivers invite visitors to paddle and fish. The area brings together different ways to enjoy the outdoors, from trails through the landscape to activities on the water.

Värikallio is a distinctive cultural landmark, with a total of 61 rock art motifs visible there, including moose and human figures, bear paws and lizard-like patterns. The underwater landscape can also be viewed along the Melodestroke. The rock paintings and underwater views add their own facets to Hossa, alongside hiking, cycling and its waterways.

Raatteentie and other destinations in the municipality

Raatteentie is an 18-kilometre museum road associated with Suomussalmi's military history. You can explore it independently with brochures or on a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide. In addition to the Winter War Museum, the Raatteen Port museum area includes nature trails and the large Winter War monument. At Raatteen Vartiomuseo, the setting has been restored to its 1939 condition. The museum portrays life at a border guard station before the Second World War and shows how the events of the Winter War at Raatteentie affected daily life at the station.

Soiva Metsä offers a different cultural experience: large instruments built in the forest stand on the Kaunisniemi ridge in the municipality of Suomussalmi. The site combines a nature trail with a cultural destination. Further afield in the region, Hiljainen Kansa has stood in the Käpylä field beside the Viitostie road since 1994. The installation consists of around 1,000 figures with peat heads and is about 30 kilometres from the town centre. In summer, the Niittykahvila café operates beside it. Hiljainen Kansa can be seen all year round, including in winter; however, the car park is not regularly cleared of snow in winter. If visiting in winter, it is therefore advisable to check the parking conditions in advance.

Choose a location based on your planned activities

When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on. If you are mainly interested in the church, Jalonniemitalo and Jätkänpuisto Beach, the centre is a natural starting point for choosing a location. If Hossa, Raatteentie or Soiva Metsä is your main focus, you can base your search around these destinations in the municipality. If you want to combine several themes, use your planned excursions to guide your choice of location.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ristijärvi, Puolanka, Ruhtinansalmi, Vuokatti, Paltamo, Jormua, Vaala, Sotkamo.

For the main travel overview: Kainuu.