Karesuvanto
Karesuvanto is a village in Lapland’s north western arm, situated on the banks of the Muoniojoki River, one half in Finland, the other in Sweden (Karesuando). From Karesuvanto it is a 110 km journey to Kilpisjärvi and 88 km to Muonio along Highway 21. In Karesuvanto, on the Finnish side, there are about 400 inhabitants. In Swedish Karesuando, on the opposite side of the river, there are about 600 inhabitants. The villages, located on either side of the border river, have been connected by a year round bridge since 1980. In addition to Finnish, the villagers speak Swedish, Sami and Norwegian.
The pine tree border line runs through the village of Karesuvanto, so only birch tree forests grow to the north of the area, of which the fell birch plays a notable role. Kaarevaara Hill on the Swedish side, creates a magnificent backdrop for Karesuvanto, with the sun appearing out from behind it only at the end of January. From the top of Kaarevaara - a excellent vista point - you can admire the vast wilderness and the fells lying up to one hundred kilometres away in the horizon. Karesuvanto’s neighbouring villages include in Finland: Kuttanen, Jatuni and Markkina, and in Sweden: Kuttainen, Saivomuotka, Paittasjärvi, Sudjavaara, Maunu, Mertajärvi and Idivuoma.
Hundreds of years ago people from various cultures met at Karesuvanto. They created lively trade in the river valley. People used to live by combining different sources of livelihood - farming, livelistock management, reindeer husbandry, fishing and hunting. In the valley can be found also one of Lapland’s oldest churches and market squares. The border river has long been a busy passage way, especially for winter time traffic, between the Gulf of Bothnia and the Arctic Ocean. Still at the beginning of this century, chains of pack reindeer, the most important means of carrying goods and people, travelled along this route. Lappish trading items were of commercial value and good pack reindeer were worth a lot. This is why most Lapps did not like to travel alone, since both their goods and their reindeer were at risk.
According to local legend, Matti Martinpoika and Niilo Niilonpoika Niva first settled down in the village in 1673. Karesuvanto was formerly known as a market and church village. At Christmas and Easter, Sámi people from Kautokeino in Norway and from the upper fells of Lapland, used to visit for the church festivals, which often lasted about two weeks.
During the War of Lapland in 1945 the Germans burnt the village on the Finnish side during their retreat to the Arctic Ocean. The village was quickly rebuilt on the ruins of the pre-war houses. The village’s main source of livelihood currently is tourism. Reindeer herding accounts for about 10% of the villagers total income. However, nowadays many get their livelihoods from various sources. Some services can be found in Karesuvanto: wilderness guide services, cabin accommodation, a hotel, bar and a garage. Other services offered in the Swedish side include a camp site, butcher shop, sports shop, silver workshop, sports hall, swimming pool, hairdresser and a post office.
Sightseeing In Finnish Karesuvanto
Wooden bird collection:
Lauri Pappila’s wooden bird collection in Markkina, the only one of its kind in Finland.
Old Sacrificial Pine Tree:
Sami sacrificial and worshipping site in Markkina.
Church garden:
Enontekiö’s former church site.
Järämä:
History of War memorial in Fell-Lapland
"War time in Fell-Lapland" exhibition
Cafe
Outside - rennovated trenches, dugouts and other buildings from the Lapland War.
Rounala Church site:
Church stood here from 1500 to 1796.
Sightseeing In In Swedish Karesuando
Karesuando church:
Wooden church, built in 1905.
Lars Leevi Laestadius’s home museum:
Laestadius was Karesuvando’s priest during years 1826 - 1849.
Kaarevaara:
Sightseeing point.
Silversmedja:
Silver workshop, where traditional Sami jewelry is made.
www.karesuando.se