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Pallastunturi facts for kids

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Pallastunturi Finland
The beautiful Pallastunturi fells in Finnish Lapland.

The Pallastunturi fells are a stunning group of seven large hills, or "fells," located in the northern part of Finland. You can find them in the municipalities of Muonio and Enontekiö, deep within Lapland. These fells are a truly special part of Finland's natural beauty.

The tallest of these fells is called Taivaskero. It stands at an impressive 809 meters (about 2,654 feet) high! Taivaskero is not only the highest point in the Pallastunturi area but also the highest peak within the entire Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. This national park was first created a long time ago, in 1938, to protect this amazing natural environment. The Pallastunturi fells are so important and beautiful that they are even recognized as one of Finland's 27 National landscapes of Finland.

Right in the heart of this beautiful area, the Pallastunturi Hotel was built in 1938. It was a modern building for its time, designed in a style called Functionalism. Sadly, during the Lapland War in October 1944, the hotel was destroyed by German troops. But don't worry, a brand new hotel was built and opened just a few years later in 1948, so visitors could once again enjoy the stunning views and nature.

A Special Olympic Flame

Monument to the Olympic flame on the Taivaskero
A memorial on Taivaskero fell marks where the 1952 Olympic flame was lit.

Did you know that the Pallastunturi fells played a unique role in the 1952 Summer Olympics? On July 6, 1952, a very special Olympic flame was lit right on top of Taivaskero fell! This happened at midnight, which is amazing because in Lapland during summer, the sun never fully sets. This special event was possible thanks to the rays of the Midnight sun.

This flame, lit in the far north of Finland, was then carried all the way to Tornio. There, it joined with the main Olympic flame, which had traveled all the way from Olympia, Greece. The Greek flame had made a long journey to Finland through Denmark and Sweden as part of a torch relay. It was a truly memorable moment that connected the ancient traditions of the Olympics with the unique nature of Finnish Lapland.

Images for kids

  • Autumn view towards Pallastunturi from the east in Kittilä, Lapland, Finland, 2021 September

    Autumn view towards Pallastunturi

  • Pallas from north 30032017

    Pallas from NE spring 2017.

  • Pallas from north 15062017

    Pallas from NE early summer 2017.

  • Pallas from Levi 1

    Pallas from Levi

  • Pallas from Levi 2

    Pallas from Levi

  • Taivaskero & Pyhäkero, Pallastunturi

    Taivaskero and Pyhäkero peaks of Pallastunturi on a winter morning

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