Haparanda Attractions
Haparanda (Finnish Haaparanta) is Tornio's Swedish neighbor and counterpart, on the west bank of the Torneälv (Tornionjoki). The town was founded in 1809, after Tornio, together with the rest of Finland, had passed to Russia. The boundary wall in the sports ground to the north of the town is a relic of these earlier frontier confrontations: the present frontier between Sweden and Finland is now regarded by both sides as the most peaceful frontier in the world. Haparanda is Sweden's most easterly town.
During the First World War Russia and the Central Powers exchanged prisoners of war unfit for further service through Haparanda. In the churchyard of Nedertorneå, on the west side of the town, are the graves of Austrian, German and Turkish prisoners who died on the journey.
During WW II, Haparanda was the arrival point for more than 80,000 Finnish children who had been evacuated. There is a memorial in Haparanda dedicated to the Finnish children. The railway station is no longer used for passenger trains.
In 2006, IKEA opened a store in Haparanda - its is the northernmost IKEA store in the world. The store has signs in both in both Swedish and Finnish.
During the First World War Russia and the Central Powers exchanged prisoners of war unfit for further service through Haparanda. In the churchyard of Nedertorneå, on the west side of the town, are the graves of Austrian, German and Turkish prisoners who died on the journey.
During WW II, Haparanda was the arrival point for more than 80,000 Finnish children who had been evacuated. There is a memorial in Haparanda dedicated to the Finnish children. The railway station is no longer used for passenger trains.
In 2006, IKEA opened a store in Haparanda - its is the northernmost IKEA store in the world. The store has signs in both in both Swedish and Finnish.
Kalott - Jazz & Blues Festival
This summer festival crosses the border between Haparanda in Sweden and Torneä in Finland, although the towns are walking distance apart.
The events take place both indoors and outdoors and include musicians from around the world.
The events take place both indoors and outdoors and include musicians from around the world.
