| Bang in the heart of the Finnish
Lapland, just south of the Arctic Circle, lies the town of Kemi, known for its Snow
Castle, its timber and the fabulous view it offers of the bewitching northern
lights. Kemi lies in the northwestern part of Finland, in the province of Lapin, along the
Gulf of Bothnia for which it is the main seaport. The city sprawls along the mouth of the
River Kemi, and dates back some four hundred-odd years, although it was formally chartered
only in 1869. |
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Kemi is not a city that you should visit if
you’re looking for fabulous old monuments or splendid art galleries; it is, however,
a city that is hard to beat if you like the great outdoors. Kemi has a number of good
beaches, many of them excellent for swimming and others excellent for strolling along.
Just south of the Arctic Circle, we’re not talking sun `n sand fun but gulls and
sweeping breezes, when we speak of the beaches. Other than that, Kemi’s outlying
areas are crisscrossed by good walking trails, paths and ski trails - perfect for
stretching your legs, whether in the summer or the winter. Come winter and Kemi gears up
for its most spectacular sight - the annual Snow Castle, which has been constructed in the
town every winter for the past six years, and is fast becoming a major attraction. Made of
snow and ice, and complete with turrets and ramparts, the castle is a crowd-puller.
Kemi’s other big attraction is the annual
Comics Festival, the oldest and most famous of its kind in Scandinavia. It’s a big
event, focusing on humour, both written and performed, and is great fun, whether
you’re a professional or a fan.
Kemi is accessible by air: the local airport is
only about 6.5 km from the city, and has regular connections to most major cities in
Finland. You can also get there by train: Kemi is on the line that links Tornio to Oulu.
There are ferries coming into the port from other Finnish ports, and larger vessels, both
from foreign and domestic ports. Regular buses link the city to other cities, towns and
villages in the country.
For detailed country and visitor information, see Finland. |
