Kemi Tourist Attractions
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The Finnish town of Kemi lies at the north end of the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Kemijoki. Well placed for water transport, it was already a busy settlement trading in skins and fish in the Middle Ages. It received its municipal charter in 1869, and with the development of industry became an important port.Woodworking plays a major role in its economy. The Kemijoki was once well stocked with fish, particularly salmon, which came here in large numbers at spawning time: hence the salmon which features in the town's coat of arms. The growth of industry and the construction of hydro-electric stations, however, have restricted their habitat.Kemi is also well-known for the world's largest snow castle, which is rebuilt each year using varying styles of architecture.
Town
The town of Kemi is well laid out, with wide streets. In the Town Hall (Kaupungintalo; 1939) is a "panoramic cafe", with fine views. Another notable modern building is the Municipal Theater (by Jan Söderlund, 1980). The neo-Gothic brick church in the Church Gardens was built in 1902.
Kemi Art Museum
In the Cultural Center at Kemi is the Art Gallery, with works by Finnish artists. The Museum occupies a typical old Nordland farmhouse, complete with a fish-smoking hut.
Gemstone Gallery
The Gemstone Gallery in Kemi has a collection of 3,000 gemstones, with copies of crown jewels from many European countries, including a crown made in 1918 for the king of Finland - a king who never was.
Arctic Comics Festival
The Arctic Comics Festival is an annual even that takes place in late March and is dubbed the world's most northerly cartoon festival.Cartoonists from throughout the world have been participating in this event since it first began in 1981, and have been competing for the "Lempi Figurines.".The festival has also been expanded to include a cartoon course.
Kemijärvi - International Wood Sculpture Week
Kemijärvi International Wood Sculpture Week is in June.
Surroundings
Ajos - Icebreaker Base
12km/7.5mi south of Kemi is Ajos, base of the icebreaker "Sampo" (built 1961). In winter visitors can take a trip in the "Sampo", which can accommodate 150 passengers; in summer they can look round it in harbor (cafeteria).
Parish Church
9km/5.5mi north of the Kemi town center is the 16th century parish church of Kemi, built of undressed stone, the oldest stone church in northern Finland. The vaulted timber ceiling has paintings of Christ's Passion. Under the choir is the mummified body of a 17th century pastor, Nikolaus Rungius (d. 1628).
Hydro-Electric Station
To the north of Kemi, on the Kemijoki, is the large Isohaara hydro-electric power station. A picturesque road runs up the Kemijoki to Rovaniemi.
