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Photo: Klaus von Matt

 

Photo: Klaus von Matt

 

What to see in Voknavolok

What to see in Voknavolok

In Voknavolok you can explore i.a. museum exhibitions in Onchi House and in Village House, among other things. Also it is possible to visit the monument of a runo singer Miihkali Perttunen.

The EC of Voknavolok is situated in the House of Voknavolok Village. A permanent museum exposition is displayed there, explaining the history and culture of the village and the whole region.

Next to the old granaries stands Onchi House, a residential house and inn, which is more than a century old. This historic monument has been captured in photographs taken in 1904.

The bronze monument to ‘the northern Homer, ’ Miihkali Perttunen, serves as gate to the historic part of Voknavolok village.

This is a church with a rich history. It was rebuilt in 1997 to replace a church that was destroyed by fire in 1939. At the time of fire, the church building was used as a club. With the help of a Finnish society, Vuokkiniemi-seura, a community of people with connections to Voknavolok village, the church was restored as a historic monument. Now services are held in the church during celebrations. The church carries the name of the Prophet Elijah, who is considered the patron saint of the village. Therefore, the biggest celebration in the village is Day of Elijah.

 

Karelians treated the spirits of the dead with special care. For cemeteries, they chose places that were desolate, untouched by people, and often near the bodies of water.

I.K. Inha photographed the Kuittijärvi shore of Voknavolok from the slope of the ridge that divides the village. 

Latvajärvi Road, which on the Finnish side of the border, turns into Raate Road (Raatteentie), was the arterial road to Finland from Viena one hundred years ago.

Karelian villagers traditionally built their saunas by the water. The Voknavolok "sauna shore", which is still being used today, is now under protection.

Voknavolok