Santa Claus Land
The home of Santa Claus is Korvatunturi Fell, but guests are not invited there. The Korvatunturi idea developed by ‘Uncle Markus’, the host of a Finnish children’s radio programme, inspired another expert of ideas, Niilo Tarvajärvi, on behalf of Christmas. Tarvajärvi already presented his concept of ’Santa Claus Land’, based on the model of Disneyland, during the 1960s. The concept has followed a long and eventful journey to become a practical, functioning Santa Claus Land.
During the 1980s, Asko Oinas, Governor of Lapland Province, declared Lapland as a whole to be Santa Claus Land. Its actual location had to be situated somewhere and the Arctic Circle on the peak of Syväsenvaara Fell rose to take this position. Tarvajärvi’s land of wonder—Santa’s Workshop together with post office facilities—was born close to the borders of Rovaniemi. The Workshop is located 8 kilometres north of the city at the northern latitude of 66º33’07” and eastern longitude of 25º50’51” at the northern Arctic Circle.
1950Before Santa Claus Land, the Arctic Circle was only a signpost against which tourists might photograph each other. The Arctic Circle Lodge was built in honour of U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit in 1950. After this, it was used by high-ranking visitors to the Arctic Circle and then developed into a tourist destination.
1998Santa’s ’home cave’, Santapark, was opened in November 1998. The guest of honour was Niilo Tarvajärvi himself. The road from Santa’s Workshop to Santapark was named Tarvantie in deference to its patron. An ’ice gallery’, Santa’s Workshop, a multimedia studio and a Christmas exhibition are all found within the hidden depths of Santapark.
Santa Claus’ Village features a complete array of many types of activities. Santa Claus is available to all who wish to meet him at no charge, but there is a charge for photographs. It is always busy at Santa’s Post Office—the shops are bulging with various items for sale, but one can also go for a peaceful walk in the shade of the surrounding forest.
Land of the Arctic Circle
--------------------------Mountain of the
Midnight Sun
--------------------------Finland’s Klondike
--------------------------From sleigh rides to the
age of the Concorde
--------------------------The nearest real hotel
--------------------------Santa Claus Land
--------------------------A city called by many
names - and the heroes
take the spoils
--------------------------
