Rovaniemi city walk

Duration: 2.5 hours.

Adults: 69,- EUR.

Children 7 to 17 years: 39,- EUR.

Infants 0 to 7 years: Free.

Architect Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is internationally renown. In the 2.5 hours guided city walk, you will discover Aalto’s ideas for Rovaniemi.

Did you know the urban plan for Rovaniemi, as envisioned by Alvar Aalto, resembles the head of a reindeer? We follow Aalto’s footsteps along the Aho commercial buildings and Maison Aho to the administrative and cultural center, which consists of a square, modern sculptures and three buildings: The City Hall, the Municipal Library and the Lappia Hall, home to the Rovaniemi City theatre.

The administrative and cultural center is the essence of Elissa and Alvar Aalto’s legacy in Lapland. We will focus on the square and on the municipal library, studying the waving shape of the building, and the style and functionality of Artek furniture. You can try out the furniture yourself. In the spacious lending room of the library, we will esteem the significance of light design which cominbes daylighting and Aalto’s signature light fittings.

What kind of feeling does the building enkindle to you? In the library works by local artists are exhibited.

How did Aalto interpret the architectural history and international trends? Do Finnish landscapes resonate in Aalto’s design? Is an Aalto building a gesamtkunstwerk? What made Aalto’s architecture so unique? Your guide explains Aalto’s ideas about mankind, nature and technology, and you can see how these ideas are reflected in his design.

During the guided tour you will get a good impression of Aalto’s architecture and hear interesting insights about architecture and about the history of Rovaniemi.

We will visit the interior of Pilke Sciece center, Korundi, Rovaniemi church (if possible), and the Aalto library. As well we will visit the local soccer stadium.

Highlights: Cultural and administrative center Rovaniemi designed by Aalto, Rovaniemi Church, Soccer Stadium & Korundi Museum building.