Culture of Oulu. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

A must-have for guests of Oulu is the Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Museo whose exposition is dedicated to the history and culture of the northern Finnish regions. The opening of this museum took place at the end of the 19th century, and now its extensive exhibition is divided into several thematic sections. One of the rooms contains archaeological artifacts discovered in the region. Among the museum's collections, it is worth highlighting the traditional costumes of local people and household items that were relevant in the 19th century. There is also an interesting collection of handicrafts and works of art. Several museum rooms are reserved for temporary exhibitions and various masterclasses, as well as thematic programs for children.

Another great way to get acquainted with the history and culture of the region is to visit a museum located on the island of Turkansaari. This open-air heritage museum occupies a vast area with 29 beautiful buildings. Most of them were built in the 17th-18th centuries and brought here from all over Finland. The museum acquaints visitors with diverse areas of life and traditions of the indigenous population. Here you can see typical peasant huts with masterfully recreated furnishings of bygone centuries, ancient churches, as well as craft workshops. One of the most unusual sites is an old tar factory that demonstrates its manufacturing processes for visitors several times a week. Throughout the year, the open-air heritage museum hosts interesting historical events regularly.

Fans of unusual tours will love the Oulun Automuseo Museum located in Oulu. Its collection of rare modes of transport is very diverse too: besides retro cars, you can see old motorcycles, mopeds, and even bicycles here. Despite the museum's original theme, it is considered one of the most attractive for families in town. The museum building is an original monument of modern architecture - it looks pretty much like a car tire from a bird's eye view. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Fans of walks around historical sites will probably be interested in exploring ancient Olavinlinna Castle. It was built in the 15th century by Danish knights for the purpose of protecting the newly captured territories. However, the castle has remained impregnable for less than a hundred years - it was captured and radically rebuilt by the Swedish invaders. Currently, the castle is fully converted into a museum whose visitors can explore all its hidden corners. The museum presents a variety of historical and art exhibits. One of the most interesting is the collection of Orthodox icons.

Among Oulu's historical monuments, Oulu Cathedral stands out as the most famous religious building in town. The very first church was built on its site in the 17th century. During the first hundred years of its existence, it was completely destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times. In the 19th century, the church underwent its first large-scale reconstruction when it's got a new bell tower. Today, the shrine attracts tourists not only with its spectacular architecture but also with very beautiful interior decoration. Some interior items have survived from the 19th century. The most unusual decoration of the hall is the model of an old ship suspended from the ceiling, which is a vivid reminder of the traditions of local people. The cathedral has also preserved an old organ, which makes it a permanent venue for music concerts.

In the vicinity of Oulu, there are several interesting archaeological areas, which are still being studied. Tourists can go to the Kierikki Stone Age Centre, on the territory of which archaeologists discovered fragments of an early man site. Most of the artifacts discovered here date back to the 4th millennium BC. The open-air museum was established on the territory of this amazing archaeological area. Its visitors can now see recreated dwellings of ancient people, as well as valuable finds discovered by archaeologists.

Kerimäki Church located on the outskirts of Oulu is considered the most important religious monument in the region. The main feature of the church is being built entirely of wood. Since its construction, it has been one of the largest wooden churches in the world. Its hall can accommodate up to 5,000 people at a time. The interior of the church is also striking in its artistic subtlety.