Discover Salla: History, Culture and Cycling

Discover Salla through its history, culture and cycling routes. The town offers different points of interest to help you plan your trip: a permanent exhibition on war and reconstruction, memorial sites, events and cycling routes in the centre. You can consider in advance which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

History and culture in Salla

The permanent exhibition at the Salla Museum of War and Reconstruction covers Kuoloyarvi at the beginning of the 20th century, the war years and post-war reconstruction. The museum also has outdoor exhibitions. The museum shop offers local products, souvenirs, handicrafts and clothing. The museum grounds serve both tourists and local residents.

Another cultural venue is the Rajakievari Tavern. It showcases tavern traditions and serves as a space for rotating exhibitions. Temporary exhibitions and cultural events are also held there. Those interested in history and changing cultural offerings will find a range of themes to consider when planning their trip.

The present-day Salla Church was built between 1948 and 1950 and designed by Eero Eerikäinen and Osmo Sipari. Its main hall measures 630 m² and has 600 seats; the church tower is 35 m high. Concerts and music events are held in the church. The granite sculpture “Hauta etulinjassa” stands in the churchyard. The names of 315 soldiers who fell in Salla are engraved on its base.

Memorial sites and the Salpa Line

The Salpa Line can be seen in the centre of Salla village. The section in Salla was built between autumn 1940 and summer 1941. There is also a signposted section of the Salpa Line by Ruuhijärvi, on the road towards Savukoski, about 2 km from the village. If you are interested in the history of the line, you can distinguish between these locations when choosing places to visit.

The different historical themes range from the war years and reconstruction to the memorial sites at Salla Church and the Salpa Line. During your stay, you can therefore decide whether you would like to focus mainly on the exhibition, the architectural and artistic heritage, or the history of the fortification line.

Salla Day and activities

Salla Day is celebrated every year on 19 July as a market festival. The festival takes place around Salla Municipal Hall. Activities in the town centre include market stalls, local exhibitions and stage events. Activities are offered for adults and children; the Cultural Prize and Sportsman or Sportswoman of the Year are also announced.

Salla Day brings together market activities, local exhibitions and stage events. If you would like to plan your stay around this occasion, the annual date of 19 July is a clear point of reference. The event offers a different cultural focus from the museum exhibition or historical memorial sites.

Cycling and getting around

There are cycling routes in the centre of Salla that are suitable for touring and mountain biking. These two types of cycling give you a point of reference if you would like to include cycling in your trip. No information on route lengths or individual routes is provided here, so you can initially base your choice on whether you are looking for touring or mountain biking.

The location of the town centre also provides a clear point of reference for getting here: it lies at the junction of Route 82 from the direction of Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi and Regional Road 950 from the direction of Kuusamo.

More pages about places to help you find your way: Kaamanen, Kolari, Sirkka, Napapiiri, Räisälä, Savukoski, Mäntyjärvi and Kilpisjärvi.

For the main travel overview: Lapland.