Ounasvaara was a wonderful, active playground, but my final destination was the famous Santa Claus Village. The village exudes a rustic charm with its Nordic log cabin style, featuring exposed wooden beams, stonework, and steeply pitched roofs. The village began with a unique connection to Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States.
In 1950, while on a goodwill mission, Eleanor Roosevelt visited Rovaniemi, drawing attention to this remote corner of Finland. During this visit, a small log cabin was built in her honour. Known as the "Eleanor Roosevelt Cabin", it marked the start of a magical transformation.
Legend has it that Santa, intrigued by the growing allure of the village, took notice. As word of Eleanor's visit and the quaint log cabin spread, the magical whispers reached Santa's ears. According to folklore, Santa visited the village one winter night, guided by the twinkling lights of the cabin and the warm glow of the village's first Christmas decorations. Seeing the pristine Arctic beauty, Santa decided it was the perfect place to call home. The cabin became a symbol of his presence, and Santa Claus Village grew around it, blending tradition with myth.
Caught up in the festive excitement, I headed to the Santa Claus Main Post Office, where more than half a million letters from over 200 countries arrive each year. With their exceptional speed and abilities, the Postal Elves have read over 20 million wishes, becoming true keepers of holiday magic. I wrote postcards to family and friends, and the elves stamped each one with a special Arctic Circle postmark before dropping them into a red postbox. This box, a magical vault, holds the letters until they are sent out for Christmas.
Next, I visited Santa's
office. The cozy log cabin, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decor,
was just as I had imagined. Inside, Santa greeted me with a warm smile and a
twinkle in his eye. We took a photo together to commemorate the moment, exchanged
pleasantries and holiday wishes, and enjoyed a cozy cup of hot cocoa.
Returning to the village
centre, where the Arctic Circle runs through it, was the perfect end to my
Rovaniemi journey. This boundary marks the northernmost point where the sun
does not set during the summer or rise during the winter. The painted white
line is marked with festive columns, and, like a child, I stepped back and
forth, experiencing the chill of the Arctic air and the warmth of the holiday
cheer all at once. I felt as if I was stepping between the known world and the
wondrous realm of Santa Claus.
Farewell for now, and see you on the next adventure.
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