Kuusamo: Photography, Culture and History

Kuusamo brings together nature photography, culture and a tangible military history. At the Karhuntassu Culture and Tourism Centre, exhibitions about Kuusamo meet the work of nature photographer Hannu Hautala. The local history museum offers a glimpse into rural life in the 1930s, while trails near Lahtela and Vanttajankannas bring the history of the Salpalinja and winter snowshoeing into focus.

The places mentioned offer different highlights rather than prescribing a single itinerary.

Kuusamo at a glance: five special highlights

• The Hannu Hautala Nature Photography Centre displays changing exhibitions of classic photographs and important works by the photographer in a 150-square-metre exhibition space.
• Karhuntassu has a permanent exhibition and changing exhibitions, including presentations from the Nature Photography Centre.
• The Kuusamo Nature Photo Festival is traditionally held every year in mid-September, during the colourful autumn foliage season.
• The local history museum shows the life of a farming family from Kuusamo in the 1930s; its grounds include 16 buildings.
• The military history trail near Lahtela is 4.5 kilometres long and follows restored field fortifications of the Salpalinja, built in 1940–1941.

Nature photography and changing exhibitions

The Hannu Hautala Nature Photography Centre is located in the Karhuntassu Tourism Centre, near the centre of Kuusamo. It is for all age groups interested in the region’s nature, nature photography and nature research. Its 150-square-metre space displays changing exhibitions of classic photographs and important works by Hannu Hautala. The exhibitions change three times a year, so visitors returning to Kuusamo may encounter different exhibition themes at different times.

At Karhuntassu, there is more to see than photography: the Culture and Tourism Centre presents Kuusamo’s history, nature and culture. Alongside a permanent exhibition, it hosts changing presentations, including exhibitions from the Hannu Hautala Nature Photography Centre. Exhibition content is also available in English. This allows visitors to explore nature and local history under one roof, as different ways of discovering Kuusamo.

Karhuntassu also has a café and a shop selling literature about Kuusamo as well as local products. The tourist information centre there offers advice on services, nature and cultural attractions, and activities and experiences in the region. It is a helpful place to start if you are still deciding what interests you or want to discover more things to do during your stay.

Kuusamotalo also offers changing experiences: it has two galleries, Kaamosgalleria and Pikku-galleria Utu. Kaamosgalleria is the largest of the exhibition spaces in the building. There is also a varied programme of music and theatre performances throughout the year, with individual shows changing over time. The building also houses the Kuusamotalo cinema, whose current programme determines the specific film selection.

An autumn photography festival

Kuusamo Nature Photo is an annual nature photography festival. It is traditionally held in mid-September, when the autumn foliage is at its most colourful. The festival includes photography workshops and photo excursions. So the programme offers practical and social ways to engage with the subject, as well as viewing photographs.

The festival dates and autumn colours give a trip a different feel from a visit focused mainly on exhibitions at Karhuntassu or Kuusamotalo. If you are interested in photography, you can weigh these highlights against one another when planning your dates: the Nature Photography Centre has changing exhibitions, while the festival traditionally takes place in mid-September. A specific edition should not be assumed to have an unchanged programme.

Local history museum and military history trails

Kuusamo’s local history museum is right by the centre, on the shore of Lake Torankijärvi. Its exhibition shows the life of a farming family from Kuusamo in the 1930s. The grounds contain 16 buildings, including Pulkkasen pirtti, Rävän talo, a barn and a stable building. Together, the exhibition and buildings offer different glimpses into family life and everyday life in the past. This is a different way to experience Kuusamo from its changing photography exhibitions and cultural events.

Another historical trail near Lahtela follows restored field fortifications of the Salpalinja. The military history trail is 4.5 kilometres long; the fortifications date from 1940–1941. The area is on Lämsänkyläntie, about 12 kilometres south of the centre of Kuusamo. Its length and historical context make it easier to include this outing as a distinct focus in your travel plans.

The Vanttajankannas military history trail is marked along the route with signposts, blue-and-white markings and information boards. In winter, it serves as a snowshoe trail. Its seasonal character therefore differs from the Salpalinja route near Lahtela: snowshoeing is specifically described as a winter activity here. The two trails offer different ways to combine history and outdoor activity.

Which highlight suits your accommodation search?

If exhibitions, photography and cultural events are your main interests, Karhuntassu and Kuusamotalo can help shape your travel plans. The local history museum is also right by the centre, while the trail near Lahtela is about 12 kilometres to the south.

When looking for a hotel or other accommodation, the first thing to consider is the mix you want: would you like to plan your stay around exhibitions and events, are you particularly interested in the autumn photography season, or would you like to include military history trails? With that in mind, you can focus your accommodation search on your own plans. The attractions mentioned differ in subject, location and seasonality; they do not all need to be part of the same day’s itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Nivankylä, Siikalatva, Hankamäki, Liminka, Merijärvi, Yli-Valli and Pyhäntä.

Frequently asked questions about Kuusamo

What can you see at the Hannu Hautala Nature Photography Centre?

Its 150-square-metre space displays changing exhibitions of classic photographs and important works by Hannu Hautala. The exhibitions change three times a year. The centre is for all age groups interested in nature, nature photography and nature research.

What does Karhuntassu offer besides exhibitions?

The Culture and Tourism Centre presents Kuusamo’s history, nature and culture. It has a permanent exhibition and changing exhibitions, as well as a café, a shop selling literature about Kuusamo and local products, and the tourist information centre.

Which historic route is described near Lahtela?

The 4.5-kilometre military history trail follows restored field fortifications of the Salpalinja, built in 1940–1941. The area is on Lämsänkyläntie, about 12 kilometres south of the centre of Kuusamo.

What is special about the Vanttajankannas trail in winter?

The military history trail is marked along its route with signposts, blue-and-white markings and information boards. In winter, it serves as a snowshoe trail.

When does Kuusamo Nature Photo take place?

The festival is traditionally held every year in mid-September, during the most colourful autumn foliage season. The programme includes photography workshops and photo excursions.

For the wider travel overview: North Ostrobothnia.