Wondering where students in Rovaniemi choose to live? It is Niemelänkangas. This area is a popular place for students. But it is also known as a calm and family-friendly area. Niemelänkangas is a small area. It is part of the larger Rantaviiri area in Rovaniemi. Rantaviiri is south of Rovaniemi city center. From Niemelänkangas-Korvaniemi, the city center is less than five kilometers away.
Let’s discover more about Niemelänkangas. It is closely linked to Korvaniemi. Both are small areas within Rovaniemi’s Rantaviiri district. You will find that Rantaviiri includes other areas too. There is Kirkkolampi. Veitikanharju is also part of it. Pirttilampi is another. Also, there is Teollisuuskylä, Marttiini, and Niemelä. You will find Koivikkotie, Ahkiomaantie, and Viirinkangas. And last but not least Yliopisto.
Niemelänkangas offers a peaceful environment. Despite the many students, it is not a noisy place. Residents describe it as calm. Families also find it suitable.
Rovaniemi has much to offer. There is culture. There is the theater. You can also find the Lapland Chamber Orchestra. Students can join the Lapland University Theater. Music lovers can visit the Lapland Music Institute. The Flying Reindeer Theater offers unique shows.
The Rovaniemi Art Museum is the regional art museum of Lapland. Its collection includes 1500 Finnish contemporary art pieces. Many important public buildings are on Hallituskatu. This area is bordered by the Kemijoki River. Jorma Eton tie and Erottaja also mark its limits.
Alvar Aalto designed the Lappia House. It houses the Music Institute. The city theater is also there. Plus, there is the Lapland regional office of Yleisradio. Lappia House hosts public events. Concerts are a regular occurrence. The Rovaniemi City Library is another Alvar Aalto design.
Rovaniemi has a fascinating history. Periodic clearing of land for agriculture began around 750-530 BC. Artifacts suggest travelers came from Karelia. They also came from Häme and the Arctic Ocean coast from 500 AD onwards. The Sami people are native to Sápmi.
Rovaniemi was first mentioned in official documents in 1453. It was a collection of small villages. People made a living from agriculture and animal husbandry. Fishing and hunting were also important.
The exploitation of Lapland’s natural resources boosted Rovaniemi’s growth in the 1800s. Logging sites and gold fever attracted many people. Rovaniemi became the business center of Lapland as mining increased.
Rovaniemi seceded from the old rural municipality on January 1, 1929. This followed a township decree on June 27, 1928. World War II brought destruction. In 1944, German forces destroyed much of Rovaniemi. This happened during the Lapland War.
German General Lothar Rendulic initially ordered only public buildings to be destroyed. But on October 13, 1944, the German army received orders to destroy all buildings. Hospitals and inhabited houses were exceptions. An ammunition train exploded at Rovaniemi station. This set fire to the wooden houses. About 90% of the buildings were destroyed.
Alvar Aalto redesigned Rovaniemi after the war. He planned the city in the shape of a reindeer’s head. The roads form the antlers. The local sports stadium represents the reindeer’s eye. Today, Rovaniemi is a vibrant city. It is known as the official home of Santa Claus.