Discover Simo: Cultural Landscapes, Mires and the Simojoki River

In the municipality of Simo, cultural landscapes, mire areas and the Simojoki River offer different ways to plan a trip. Visitors interested in history and architectural heritage can explore churches, museums and historic village landscapes. Nature lovers can discover mire landscapes, go birdwatching and learn about the changing coastline; fishing is also an option on the river.

Changing Coastline and Mire Landscapes

At Simon maankohoumapuisto, ten information points explore how the coastline has shifted over the past 500 years. The ongoing post-glacial land uplift is also explained: as the land rises, the sea recedes farther from the mainland. The park offers a tangible way to understand a landscape change that unfolds over a long period.

The municipality of Simo is also home to Martimoaapa, a 124-square-kilometre mire conservation area. It was established in 1982 to protect valuable mire landscapes, plants and animals. The Martimoaapa-Lumiaapa-Penikat mire conservation area is one of the most important mire conservation areas in northern Finland and is particularly significant for endangered birds. On the Hangassalmenaho side of Martimoaapa, there is a 2.5-kilometre circular trail and two birdwatching towers.

Churches, Bell Towers and Historic Village Landscapes

The Simon Church in Simoniemi was designed by Ernst Bernhard Lohrmann and completed in 1846. It is a towerless, rectangular long church in the Late Imperial style. It measures 28.5 metres long and 15.5 metres wide. These dimensions give a clear sense of the building’s scale, while its design, construction period and form each tell a different part of its history.

Simon’s bell tower was built by Heikki Väänänen in 1773. Its timber construction is a simple example of Ostrobothnian Renaissance style, while the roof surfaces are Baroque in form. The roof is made of triangular wooden shingles. The building combines clear timber architecture with a distinctively shaped roof.

Simoniemi and Simonkylä have a remarkably well-preserved collection of buildings dating from before the Second World War—unusually so for Lapland. Both villages are part of the nationally significant cultural landscape “Simojoen suun kulttuurimaisemat”. The cultural landscape along the Simonkylä Museum Road is also part of the nationally recognised Simojoki cultural landscape area. A 2.9-kilometre section of the local road in Simonkylä has held museum road status since 1982. The Simonkylä and Simoniemi Landscape Management Area is Finland’s fourth nationally designated landscape management area.

Museums and Local Traditions

The Pahnila Museum displays original artefacts that tell the story of local history and culture, local traditions and life in different periods. The Simoniemi Local Heritage Museum is housed in a former church granary and presents local traditions, stories and cultural heritage. Museum opening hours and visitor arrangements may vary; check the current details before your visit.

A local culinary speciality is lamprey, considered a delicacy in Simo. Visitors can try it at the Nahkiaismarkkinat (Lamprey Market). The event is held annually in mid-September; check the exact dates before your trip.

Fishing on the Simojoki River

The rapids and quieter stretches of the Simojoki offer opportunities for fishing. On the lower Simojoki, traditional methods include bank fishing with artificial lures and fishing from a rowing boat. As a guide to the municipality, around 90 percent of its waters are within the “2581 Simojoki, Simo” fishing permit area. Before fishing, check the permit rules and where permits are sold, as well as seasonal conditions.

Discover more destinations: Ivalo, Salla, Mäntyjärvi, Kilpisjärvi, Peurasuvanto, Nuorgam, Naruska, Konnevesi.

For the regional travel overview: Lapland.