You may be surprised to learn how ingrained nature and specific sites outdoors are to judicial corporal punishments that were given to offenders in Finland. Gruesome as it is, it's important to be aware of…
Death and punishment in Finnish nature
Category: Tips
Paimio Sanatorium – Where modernist architecture meets the beauty of nature
Located in Paimio, in southwestern Finland, the Paimio Sanatorium is one of the most iconic examples of modernist architecture. Designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto and completed in 1933, it is a place that harmoniously…
Sacrificial cup-marked stones of Hartola
My co-author Jenni has seen and written plenty of cup-marked stones so this autumn I made up my mind to see them, too. As I was passing by Hartola, I decided to check out the…
Hossa National Park is a national treasure
One of the most spectacular places to experience a connection with our human history is at Hossa National Park in Suomussalmi. We had decided to hike the popular yet moderately demanding 8km (4.9mi) long Värikallion…
Watch out for the deadliest mushrooms in Finland
Are you familiar with the deadliest mushrooms that grow in Finland? Mushroom foraging is my most beloved pastime in Finland, where the pristine forests offer plenty of delicious fungi. However, this activity comes with a…
The sacred Suojanperä seida rock guards Nitsijärvi lake
We were driving along Sevettijärventie road in the very top of Finland. Having noticed a small mention of a sacred Sámi site at Nitsijärvi lake, we decided to stop by to check it out. We…
Parikkala sculpture park is weird, wonderful, and surprisingly thought provoking
Not all places we write about are about the solitude of nature. No, definitely not. One important aspect of being out in the nature is to see how nature is incorporated into our society. Well,…
Piiskoomänty whipping pine is a remnant of historical punishments
Standing next to an old building is a large pine tree which looks deceptively benign to the uninformed visitor. I was visiting Kuortane in the Southern Ostrobothnia region and had read of an old whipping…
Why fireweed is better than large-leaved lupine in Finland
Have you ever considered why fireweed is better than large-leaved lupine in Finland? Large-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus), komealupiini in Finnish, is a strikingly beautiful North American plant that has earned a bad reputation in Finland.…
Unlocking the secrets of Finnish mythology and sacred sites
Are you interested in unlocking the secrets of Finnish mythology, where sacred sites are revealed? Explore how the profound reverence of ancient Finns for gods in nature illuminates the enduring relationship that modern-day Finns maintain…