Santa Claus working
December 23th. 6:00 p.m. In a secret place called Korvatunturi , 400 km north of Rovaniemi . Snow floods everything and a white halo of cold, wind and flakes whips the Arctic.
Suddenly, in a cabin lost in the woods of the Urho Kekkonen National Park, Finland, the door opens. And from white and icy blue, we pass to the warmth of the fireplace, to the crackling wood, to the red of his hat and his outfit.
Santa Claus working
Santa Claus opens the doors of his house . And it is so, lost in these forests covered by a permanent white blanket, that he lives almost the whole year with the Mrs. Claus, listening to the children of the world from this lost point north of northern Finland.
It is said, it is commented, that Korvatunturi is a mountain, at 468 meters high, with an elf's ear (a complete engineering work) and, also, that from that point you can hear even the slightest murmur from anywhere on the planet.
But today, Mr. Noel has to say goodbye to home... until December 25 . Today it's time to begin the most complex adventure in the world and that is repeated year after year: the journey begins to distribute gifts to all the houses on the planet, a mission that only Santa Claus can carry out thanks to the magical and fast reindeer of him.
Santa Claus feeding his reindeer
Like every year, when Santa Claus begins his mission, his great journey around the world, as he passes through the village, he is cheered on by the visitors of the place, who encourage him on his adventure between applause and songs.
It is then that the elves prepare a great show, a party with music and dances that becomes almost a ritual to encourage and wish Santa Claus luck in such a feat.
Santa Claus accompanied by his gnomes
Just before getting on the sleigh, Santa Claus gives a speech. This year, he dedicates to us a very special message , one of love and care for the environment and nature . And it is that without these impressive landscapes of the Arctic Circle and without these frozen mountains... what would become of the Noel home?
As visiting Korvatunturi is only possible if you are rudolph (the magical reindeer that knows how to get to this hidden place thanks to the northern lights) you can always go visit the Noel family at Rovaniemi , to its toy factory , where they go to work to be on time every Christmas.
Santa Claus leaves his house to deliver gifts this Christmas
**VISITING SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE IN ROVANIEMI **
The history of this special toy factory is impressive: it was almost completely destroyed during World War II but five years after the war ended, in 1950, eleanor roosevelt , wife of the US President Franklin D Roosevelt , she visited Rovaniemi to closely follow the reconstruction of the place.
To accommodate Eleanor, the inhabitants of Rovaniemi built a shelter, a cabin far from the city but with all the communities for the wife of the American President. That cabin is considered the origin of the Santa Claus village and can still be seen standing next to it. to Santa Claus Central Post Office.
Santa Claus walking through the snow with one of the gnomes
Getting here is easy (it is very close to Rovaniemi airport, only 3 kilometers away); from the city you can take the local bus Rovaniemi number 8 or the Santa's Express Bus and ready! Here you will find a wide selection of accommodation (including some glass-enclosed cabins to lie down between the auroras) and once the whole family is settled time to enjoy!
The activities here are endless: reindeer sleigh rides, husky rides or even a visit to a reindeer farm. You can also enjoy tours to see the northern lights by snowmobile and even sign up for a series of cultural visits to the area to learn more about how they live. in the town of eternal Christmas.
Santa Claus on his way to Rovaniemi from Korvatunturi
And last but not least, you will be able to cross the Arctic Circle, which crosses 8 km north of the city center. From this point, the sun does not set during some summer months and does not rise during other winter months. (and it is perfectly indicated so you can know when you have jumped "the line") . After crossing it, you can ask for your certificate, brave people.
In addition, to top it off, at the Santa Claus Post Office you can send letters and postcards with the Arctic Circle postmark. A red mailbox collects the mail that will arrive at its destination at Christmas and another blue one, the letters that will arrive during the month in which they are sent.
In the village of Rovaniemi, Santa Claus makes the toys that he will distribute on December 24
Address: GRVW+CV Napapiiri, Rovaniemi, Finland View map
Telephone: +358 (0)40 570 4865