Suosiola

Has anyone ever heard of a suburb shaped like a reindeer’s head? Well, Suosiola in Rovaniemi almost is. Suosiola isn’t quite the whole head, but it’s nestled within the city limits of Rovaniemi, which was famously redesigned by Alvar Aalto after World War II. Aalto laid out the city streets to resemble the antlers of a reindeer, a fitting tribute to Lapland’s iconic animal. Suosiola sits within this unique city plan. Rovaniemi, and by extension Suosiola, saw incredible devastation during the war. In 1944, retreating German forces implemented scorched-earth tactics, destroying nearly 90% of Rovaniemi’s buildings. Suosiola was undoubtedly caught in this destruction. Imagine the resilience it took to rebuild, to bring life back to this suburb within a city reborn from ashes. Rovaniemi’s reconstruction, with Aalto’s visionary plan, is a testament to the human spirit. Suosiola, a quiet suburb within this vibrant city, offers a unique glimpse into this history of destruction and renewal. It’s a place where you can experience the tranquility of Lapland alongside the echoes of the past, all within the outline of a reindeer’s head.