Arctic Highway to Sodankylä

Rovaniemi is the starting-point of the main traffic artery of Finnish Lapland, the Arctic Highway (Road 4; E 75 for part of the way). This runs north in long straight stretches, passing the beautiful Porttikoski waterfall, to Sodankylä, the commercial and cultural center of its extensive commune. Features of interest are the old church (1689) and the new church (1859), the modern Town Hall and a gallery displaying the works of the Lapp painter Andreas Alariesto. A Film Festival is held here in June.

The old church is the best preserved 17th century wooden church in Finland.