Journey through Kalevala

For travelers seeking an authentic connection to Finnish and Karelian cultures, few experiences rival exploring the landscapes and traditions that birthed the Kalevala, Finland's national epic. This mythological masterpiece, compiled by Elias Lönnrot in the 19th century from ancient oral poetry, draws travelers to eastern Finland's pristine wilderness and vibrant cultural centers.

This article takes you to Lakeland and Helsinki where you can experience the world of Kalevala.

Article published in January 2026.

Journey south toward Lake Pielinen and you'll discover Bomba, a recreated Karelian village in Nurmes that brings the traditional culture of Karelia to life. The village offers a comprehensive Karelian cultural experience. Browse handcrafts and local products at the boutiques, explore exhibitions on Karelian history and culture, and visit the nearby Orthodox tsasouna chapel. During summer, the village comes alive with a market and theater performances. Break Sokos Hotel Bomba, with its Karelian-themed spa featuring an outdoor jacuzzi overlooking Lake Pielinen, provides luxurious modern comfort with a Karelian twist.

About 150 kilometers southwest of Kuhmo lies Koli National Park, home to one of Finland's most iconic national landscape. The view from Ukko-Koli hill over Lake Pielinen has inspired generations of Finnish artists, including composer Jean Sibelius, who chose Koli as his honeymoon destination, and painter Eero Järnefelt, whose 1911 landscape painting is one of Finland's most famous and can nowadays be seen at the Helsinki Central railway station (it was restored in 2025).

Koli's dense pine, spruce, and birch forests embody the fairy-tale Karelian woodlands described in the Kalevala. Popular trails include the Huippujenkierros Trail circuit visiting Akka-Koli and Paha-Koli, and the demanding Mäkrä Trail with spectacular views. The Koli Nature Center Ukko provides exhibitions, trail maps, and equipment rentals.

No exploration of Kalevala heritage is complete without encountering the visual interpretations of Finland's most celebrated national artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela. His powerful depictions of Kalevala scenes transformed ancient oral poetry into iconic images that shaped Finnish national identity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In Helsinki, travelers can experience Gallen-Kallela's Kalevala masterpieces at the Ateneum Art Museum. The famous museum, located at Kaivokatu 2 directly across from Helsinki Central railway station, houses some of his most important works. Here you'll find the famous Aino Myth triptych from 1891, and Lemminkäinen's Mother from 1897, for which the artist's own mother posed. The museum also displays other Golden Age Finnish artists, like Albert Edelfelt and Helene Schjerfbeck.

No journey through Kalevala country is complete without discovering Kalevala, Finland's most beloved jewelry brand. Founded in 1937 to raise funds for a monument to "the Kalevala woman", the company has become the most-known jewelry manufacturer in Finland. Many pieces draw inspiration from ancient Iron Age jewelry discovered by archaeologists throughout Finland and Karelia. Kalevala Koru has also highlighted numerous women through its jewelry who have had a significant impact on the development of Finnish society and culture.

Kalevala jewelry is made as 100% Finnish handicraft at the company's own factory in Helsinki by over 70 skilled professionals. Kalevala jewelry uses three main materials: gold, silver, and bronze. These metals have a high recycling rate; gold is 100% recycled and silver is over 99% recycled.

In Helsinki, visit the flagship store at Keskuskatu 3 right in the heart of the city. The store features the complete collection including refurbished Kalevala Preloved pieces and archive treasures. For a unique experience, visit the Kalevala factory store at Hankasuontie 11 in northern Helsinki, where you can find discontinued pieces and factory seconds at special prices.