Places to visit

Askanmäki Ethnographic House
Keskitalo House, known as the home of Beautiful Kaija, was built back in 1874, but the Askanmäki settlements date back to the sixteenth century. Askanmäki became well known for its hostess affectionately named Beautiful Kaija (Kaunis Kaija), who back in the eighteenth century was either abducted or departed voluntarily with a handsome Russian tradesman to Russia.

Askanmäki has shown performances of the musical play written by Raija Oranen, Beautiful Kaija Ballad – a Piece of Purple. Tour of the house, accommodation and meal services by arrangement. Handicrafts are also sold in the house. Aska was awarded Finland’s Village of the Year in 1999, further information from Askan Ahertajat tel. +358 40 865 0327.

Hepoköngäs Waterfall
Finland’s highest natural waterfall of 24 metres, further information tel. +358 8 615 54555 and www.luontoon.fi/hepokongas

Huosiusniemi Cemetery
In the parish village of Puolanka

Kempasvaara
The Joukokylä Kempasvaara landscape region is a very representative example of the hilly inhabited landscapes of Kainuu. The Kempasvaara Hill offers views over five municipalities and has a viewing tower, further information from the Joukokylä Village Association tel.  +358 8 753 204.

Kiiskilä Rectory
The rectory completed in 1827 provided accommodation for Finnish philologist Elias Lönnrot, and nowadays operates as the camp centre for the Puolanka Parish, further information tel. +358 8 751 288.

Latva Village Cemetery
The cemetery located in the Kotilankylä village at the foot of the Paljakkavaara Hill was founded to enable the quick burial of the deceased, without having to take them tens of kilometres to the church lands. No one knows when the first dead were buried in the Latva Cemetery, further information from the Puolanka Parish tel. +358 8 751 288.    

Nature Trail
There is a nature trail located in Paljakka that has details of the nature, trees and flora in the region. The length of the trail is 780 metres. Further information from Reijo Seppänen tel.  +358 8 755 213 or +358 40 741 5862, Seppo Pohjola tel. +358 8 531 2230 or +358 400 285 108.

Lylykylä Island Cemetery
The island cemetery has been used since the seventeenth century and is one of the oldest village cemeteries of the Puolanka Parish. You can reach the island by boat in the summer, which you can borrow from the parish, tel. (08) 751 288.

Environmental Sample Bank of the Forest Research Institute
Environmental research samples are kept in the Paljakka Environmental Sample Bank. In addition, the sample bank also holds organic debris samples collected from all over the country, and which form valuable research material for modern science. The sample bank is open to the public. Further information, tel.  +358 8 755 135.

Pirunkirkko
The Pirunkirkko primeval forest is located southwest of the Paljakka Strict Nature Reserve. Pirunkirkko is a rocky and partly craggy ravine, along the bottom of which runs the Louhenjoki River. A trail of 600 metres runs from the parking area to Pirunkirkko, further information tel. +358 8 615 54555 or +358 8 755 120.

Puolanka Church
The triple nave, long church was designed by Olavi Sortta in 1954, further information tel. +358 8 751 288.

Puolanka Museum
Holds agricultural and domestic items and tools used by men and women, further information tel. +358 8 615 54555.

War Hero Cemetery
Next to the Puolanka Church.

Suolijärvi Island Cemetery
Located around 45 kilometres from the Puolanka parish village in the direction of Taivalkoski is the Suolijärvi Island Cemetery that was used during the period 1749-1881. The cemetery has a monument designed in 1969 by Jouko Heikkinen. Suolijärvi has a newer cemetery that was taken into use at the end of the nineteenth century. The boat trip to the island covers around three kilometres from the Suolijärvi public shore, where you will find boats for hire, further information from the Suolijärvi Village Association tel. +358 8 753 739.

Tiainen Croft
The crown croft dating back to the early 1880s has been fully restored. The property acts as a gateway to the Olvassuo National Park, further information tel. +358 8 615 54555.

Vartiopirtti
The former civil guard house commissioned in 1932 has been restored and is located in the village of Väyrylä, further information from the Väyrylä Village Association tel. +358 400 178 263.

Voikivi
A junction point of old trails, that according to tales was the place where clergymen used to collect taxes, guided trail (approx. 2 km) starts from the Väyrylä School, further information from the Väyrylä Village Association tel. 0400 178 263.

Voipua Cemetery
Located in Törmänmäki