When it comes to holidays such as New Years and Christmas, the first thing that comes to mind is Santa Claus. In each country it is called differently, but this does not change its essence. This kind and cheerful old man will hear every child and bring him exactly the gift that the kid dreams of with all his heart. And to make it easier for Santa Claus, the guys write him letters and send them to Lapland, where he lives with his wife and hardworking elves. And this is no longer a fairy tale, but the pure truth.
Indeed, there is a small village of Santa Claus, located in Finland, where everyone can come and see everything with their own eyes.
How to get to Finland on your own - read our article.
The history of the emergence of the village
In 1950, Eleanor Roosevelt, who, according to legend, is located near the village of Rovaniemi, announced her intention to visit the homeland of Santa Claus. The Finns, who respect the desire of this great woman, decided to give her a gift and built a hut. It was there that Santa met the widow of the President of the United States. Soon, tourists began to come to this place, wishing to be convinced of the existence of this wizard with a beard, traveling around the world on a reindeer sleigh. There were more and more visitors, and soon the small settlement turned into an entertainment center that is open all year round.
Village infrastructure
The Finns claim that Santa Claus (Joulupukki) himself lives with his wife Muori in a small house on the Korvatunturi hill, located 170 kilometers from Rovaniemi. Since it is impossible for an ordinary person to get there, Santa on reindeer arrives at his residence so that everyone has the opportunity to talk to him.
In the village of Santa Claus there are such structures as:
- Santa's workshop
- post office
- Museum of Christmas traditions
- Santa park
- amusement park Arctic Winter World
- souvenir shops
- cafeterias
- Santa's reindeer farm
Visit to the village
The village is open to visitors from nine in the morning until eight in the evening, and in summer it can be visited from eight in the morning until eight in the evening. The entrance here is free, but you should immediately warn that photography and video filming on the territory is prohibited. Only gnomes can take pictures here. A photo with Santa Claus will be ready in three minutes, and its cost will be 17 euros.
The magician receives guests at his office every day from 9.00 to 17.00, except for two hours of breaks from 11.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 16.00.
On December 31, it operates with a single break, starting at 11.00 and ending at 12.00.
But on the first of January, his working day begins at noon and ends at seven in the evening.
The rest of the time, Santa Claus devotes to sorting letters that come from children from all over the world. In this difficult work, he is assisted by elves and baby gnomes who work at the post office and in the workshop, making Christmas gifts.
At least four hundred thousand tourists visit the Santa Claus Post Office every year. In it you can buy a postcard, write a congratulatory message on it to your loved ones and send it. On the message, the elves will put the seal of Santa's office, and if necessary, they will translate it into one of eleven languages.
In the workshop, everyone can buy souvenirs that the gnomes will send to the specified address at the appointed time.
Sights and rituals
No matter what attraction the guests of the village decide to visit, no one will be able to walk past the round area with a white magic line. The line labeled Arctic circle marks the beginning of the Arctic Circle border. That is, jumping over it, you can magically find yourself in the Arctic. Having made such a "great movement", the participants in the ritual receive a special commemorative certificate.
There is a pillar next to the square, on which there are direction signs to the largest cities in the world with the indication of distances.
Arctic Winter World
This complex is open from December to April, that is, at a time when there are snowdrifts in Lapland. In the summer it simply melts, and the next year it is rebuilt. The entrance to the park is paid.
There is an ice hotel here, where you can even stay overnight. The temperature in it is from two to three degrees of frost, and all the furniture is carved from huge blocks of ice. Therefore, in order to warm up, it is worth visiting the ice bar, where adults are offered strong drinks. But you can have a hearty meal in the cafeterias located in the park.
Deer farm
You can see how the reindeer that Santa Claus rides graze by visiting the reindeer farm. Also, each visitor has the opportunity to ride a sleigh pulled by these cute animals.
Santa claus park
This entertainment complex opens its gates before Christmas and the joyful holiday of Johannus, celebrated in Finland in summer. Throughout the park, you can travel on a small train called "Seasons".
Children will be delighted with the Elven Cave, located in the dungeon of a large rock. In addition to entertainment, you can still visit the school of elves, take a course in magic and get a diploma. And by visiting a pastry shop, children will learn how to cook branded gingerbread cookies, which can then be eaten.
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