Otava: Kirkkokivet and an undated fortification

The Otavan kirkkokivet tell a story of a distant natural history: the glacial erratic boulders are 18 and 12 metres high, respectively, and more than 10,000 years old. The Otavan linnavuori offers a different perspective: it is an archaeological monument of the defensive structure type, whose dating has not been determined. The caves between the Kirkkokivet are also part of the area's history: during the Club War, they served as hiding places for residents of the surrounding area.

Otava at a glance: five quick facts

• The Otavan kirkkokivet lie south of Lake Oulankijärvi in Mikkeli-Otava.
• The two glacial erratic boulders are 18 and 12 metres high, respectively, and more than 10,000 years old.
• The Kirkkokivet have been protected as a natural monument since 1992.
• A forest path about one kilometre long leads from the visitor car park to the stones.
• The Otavan linnavuori is a fixed archaeological defensive structure; its dating has not been determined.

Two subjects, two different time frames

The age of the Kirkkokivet can be stated precisely: the glacial erratic boulders are more than 10,000 years old. By contrast, no date has been determined for the Otavan linnavuori. These details relate to different subjects and should not be combined into a single date. Exploring Otava, you can distinguish between a very ancient natural feature and an archaeological monument without assuming that they share the same historical background.

The designations also place the two subjects in different categories. The Kirkkokivet are natural monuments; the linnavuori is registered as an archaeological monument of the defensive structure type. The Finnish Antiquities Act 295/1963 applies to the fortification. The Kirkkokivet have been protected as a natural monument since 1992. These legal classifications concern different things and offer two distinct ways to explore Otava's natural and local history.

The Otavan kirkkokivet: scale and natural monument

The measurements make the boulders especially easy to picture: one is 18 metres high, the other 12 metres. Both are more than 10,000 years old. The measurements offer a simple point of comparison for a visit, allowing you to notice the different heights rather than viewing the boulders as a formation of equal-sized rocks. Their location south of Lake Oulankijärvi in Mikkeli-Otava anchors this nature outing in a specifically named place.

The Otavan kirkkokivet have been protected as a natural monument under the Nature Conservation Act since 1992. Access information is also provided for visitors: a forest path approximately one kilometre long leads from the visitor car park to the stones. Trail conditions may change. The approximate distance gives you a practical guide for planning your day without specifying a walking time.

The fortification and the history of the Club War

The Otavan linnavuori is classified as a fixed archaeological monument of the defensive structure type. Its dating has not been determined, so it cannot be assigned to a specific era. This open-ended dating distinguishes the linnavuori from the Kirkkokivet, which are said to be more than 10,000 years old. The two subjects can therefore be understood as different questions about Otava's past.

Another historical aspect concerns the caves between the Otavan kirkkokivet. During the Club War, residents of the surrounding area used these caves as hiding places. Alongside the archaeological classification of the fortification, this offers a concrete account of how the caves were used during wartime. For travellers interested in history, it provides a different perspective from the question of how old the boulders are.

Which Otava experiences will guide your search for accommodation

When planning your trip, you can first decide which subject you want to shape your stay. If the natural monument and forest path are your main focus, the approximately one-kilometre route from the visitor car park is a tangible part of the outing. If you are more interested in history, the linnavuori's archaeological character and the hiding places dating from the Club War offer two different points of interest.

This focus can also help you search for a hotel: tailor your choice to the travel experience you want, rather than treating nature and history as interchangeable reasons to stay. The size of the Kirkkokivet, their protected status and the historical themes give Otava a distinctive profile to match your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Vanhamäki, Mäntyharju, Puumala, Majavesi, Ristiina, Kangasniemi, Hietanen and Hirvensalmi.

Frequently asked questions about Otava

How high are the Otavan kirkkokivet?

The glacial erratic boulders are 18 and 12 metres high, respectively. They are more than 10,000 years old.

Where are the Kirkkokivet?

They lie south of Lake Oulankijärvi in Mikkeli-Otava.

How long is the path from the visitor car park?

A forest path leads from the visitor car park to the stones. It is approximately one kilometre long; trail conditions may change.

What is the Otavan linnavuori?

It is a fixed archaeological monument of the defensive structure type. Its dating has not been determined; it is registered under the Finnish Antiquities Act 295/1963.

What were the caves used for during the Club War?

The caves between the Otavan kirkkokivet served as hiding places for residents of the surrounding area during the Club War.

To the main travel overview: Mikkeli.