Alaruokasen talo

Built on solid bedrock, Alaruokasen talo whispers tales of resilience. This unassuming building, nestled on the banks of the Kemijoki river in Rovaniemi, has witnessed the ebb and flow of history since the 1860s. Alaruokasen talo is one of the oldest structures in Rovaniemi, a testament to a bygone era. It stands as a poignant reminder of the town’s ability to rise from ashes. Alaruokasen talo embodies the spirit of Northern Finland. Originally a single-story dwelling constructed by Aapo Frans Ruokas, the house showcases traditional Ostrobothnian architecture. Its survival during the devastating Lapland War in 1944, when German forces razed over 90% of Rovaniemi, borders on miraculous. Most of the town was reduced to rubble and ash. Yet, Alaruokasen talo remained untouched. One account, from an eyewitness named Jarl Sundqvist, suggests that Finnish troops, arriving from Ranuantie, deliberately protected unburned buildings by firing on those attempting to set them alight. Sundqvist observed the town’s destruction from a hidden shelter on the slopes of Pöyliövaara hill. Until its acquisition by the city of Rovaniemi in 1991, Alaruokasen talo served as a family home. Now, this historic building has a new life. It has been renovated and now serves as a venue for meetings and celebrations, capable of hosting up to 60 people. Alaruokasen talo stands on land that once belonged to the Ruokas farm, one of the three original farmsteads upon which central Rovaniemi was built. Its architectural and cultural significance is recognized and protected by city planning regulations, ensuring that its story will continue to be shared for generations to come. It is a beacon of hope, a symbol of perseverance.