Suomussalmi: Nature, Art and History

Suomussalmi brings together culture in the town centre with nature and history experiences across the municipality. In the centre are Ämmänsaari Church, Jalonniemitalo and Jätkänpuisto Beach. Elsewhere in the municipality, Hossa and Raatteentie offer different themes: clear waters and trails on the one hand, and the history of the Winter War on the other. You can shape your trip around whether you most want to discover art and culture, activities in nature or historic sites.

Suomussalmi at a glance

• Ämmänsaari Church was consecrated in 1967 and stands in the town centre.
• A prehistoric exhibition at Jalonniemitalo displays finds from Suomussalmi.
• Jätkänpuisto Beach is just a short walk from the centre.
• Hossa offers trails, clear waters and 61 rock art motifs at Värikallio.
• The 18-kilometre Raatteentie Museum Road is associated with Suomussalmi’s military history.

Culture and archaeological finds in the town centre

Ämmänsaari Church was consecrated in 1967 and is located in the centre of Suomussalmi. Its architecture can also be appreciated through its details: the 14-stop organ was made in 1968 by Tuomi and Co. Organ Builders. The altarpiece was created in 1979 by Irja Juntunen, an artist born in Suomussalmi. The church thus connects a specific place in today’s town centre with works of art created over several decades.

The prehistoric exhibition at Jalonniemitalo in Ämmänsaari offers a different view of history. Original finds from Suomussalmi on display include jewellery, moulds, stone axes and chisels, as well as slate and flint points and quartz scrapers. The exhibition also includes Iron Age tools and the assemblage from the Peranka cremation burial. The variety of objects brings different aspects of everyday life and work in earlier times to life.

Nearby, Jätkänpuisto brings art and time by the water together. The beach is just a short walk from the town centre, and the park is also home to Ämmänpäre, a steel environmental artwork designed by Aleksi Jaakkola. This means that two different experiences—culture and a break by the water—are close at hand in central Suomussalmi.

Hossa: trails, water and rock art

Hossa National Park lies mostly in the northern part of Suomussalmi municipality, but also partly in the city of Kuusamo and the municipality of Taivalkoski in Northern Ostrobothnia. It was established to mark the centenary of Finland’s independence under the Hossa National Park Act (296/2017). Pine-covered heathland, ridges and clear waters define the landscape. Visitors can hike and cycle along the park’s trails; in total, there are about 90 kilometres of routes and paths.

Four marked routes are available for mountain biking, including a route designated IMBA EPIC. Hossa’s clear ponds, lakes and rivers invite visitors to paddle and fish. The different activities offer different perspectives on the same landscape: on foot or by bike along the trails, from the water while paddling, or while fishing. You can also explore the underwater landscape along Hossa’s Melode route.

The rock paintings at Värikallio are a distinctive cultural trace: a total of 61 motifs can be seen there. These include moose and human figures, bear paws and patterns reminiscent of lizards. The paintings add an archaeological dimension to the nature experiences. Those choosing Hossa as their focus can combine trails and waterways with a tangible example of early visual art, without limiting the different activities to the same place or type of experience.

Raatteentie and the history of the Winter War

Raatteentie is an 18-kilometre museum road associated with the military history of Suomussalmi. You can explore it independently with brochures or join a guided tour led by a knowledgeable guide. This offers two different ways to experience the route: at your own pace using the brochures, or with historical context provided by a guide.

The Raatteen Port museum area includes nature trails and the large Winter War Monument, as well as the Winter War Museum. Raatteen Vartiomuseo focuses on life at a border guard station before the Second World War and shows how the events of the Winter War along Raatteentie affected life at the station. The museum has been restored to its 1939 condition. Together, these sites offer two perspectives on history: the larger military conflict and everyday life at a border guard station.

Soiva Metsä in Suomussalmi and Hiljainen Kansa in the surrounding area

Soiva Metsä combines a nature trail with a cultural destination. Large instruments have been installed in the forest on the Kaunisniemi ridge in Suomussalmi. The combination of the trail and instruments makes this a place where nature and culture meet, rather than a destination focused exclusively on history or scenery.

Hiljainen Kansa, on the Käpylä field alongside Highway 5, about 30 kilometres from the town centre, offers a very different artistic encounter. The installation has stood there since 1994 and consists of around 1,000 figures with peat heads. It can be seen all year round, including in winter. However, the car park is not cleared regularly in winter, so take this into account when planning a winter visit. In summer, the Niittykahvila café next to the installation is open. This seasonal addition is therefore part of a summer visit, while the installation itself remains visible in winter too.

Choose the right base for your trip

The church, Jalonniemitalo and Jätkänpuisto Beach are in the town centre; Hossa and Raatteentie are destinations elsewhere in the municipality. If you mainly want to experience central cultural attractions and the beach, include the town centre in your search. For a stay focused on nature or history elsewhere in the municipality, it is important to consider the wider area. This way, you can tailor your search for hotels in Suomussalmi to the experiences that matter most on your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ruhtinansalmi, Ristijärvi, Vaala, Hossa, Jormua, Paltamo, Vuokatti and Sotkamo.

Frequently asked questions about Suomussalmi

What does Hossa offer for a nature-focused stay?

The national park has about 90 kilometres of routes and paths, four marked mountain biking routes, and clear waters for paddling and fishing. The 61 rock art motifs at Värikallio add an archaeological dimension to the nature experience.

Which cultural sites are in the centre of Suomussalmi?

Ämmänsaari Church, Jalonniemitalo with its prehistoric exhibition, and Jätkänpuisto Beach are all in the town centre. The steel artwork Ämmänpäre is also located in the beach park.

How can you explore Raatteentie?

The 18-kilometre museum road can be explored independently with brochures or as part of a guided tour led by a knowledgeable guide. The Raatteen Port area adds a Winter War Museum, nature trails on historical themes and a large monument to the historical attractions.

What should you know about visiting Hiljainen Kansa in winter?

The installation on the Käpylä field is visible year-round. However, the car park is not cleared regularly in winter. The Niittykahvila next to the installation is a seasonal addition and is open in summer.

Back to the wider travel overview: Kainuu.