Science Centre Pilke is an architectural marvel that is made almost entirely out of wood.
SCIENCE CENTRE PILKE SEE THE FOREST LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE V E R SAT I L E FO R E ST S
Finland is the most forested land in Europe. Forests cover over 75% of this country and there are around 4 hectares of forest per every Finnish citizen! Forest is one of our greatest treasures, and it provides resources for many industries. Timber is used for the construction of beautiful log houses and for energy production. And when timber is broken down to cellulose, you can make almost anything from it! Forests are equally important for tourism. Most importantly, forest is a renewable resource, and it captures carbon dioxide from the air! Forest is also an important part of everyday life of the Finns. Accompanied by their parents, Finnish children acquaint themselves with nature at a very young age. This establishes a unique spiritual bond that lasts for a lifetime. Hundreds of thousands of Finns make their pilgrimage to the forest all year round, even if it is just for a few hours. The amount of devotion the Finns have to their nature is astonishing. Finland’s first national parks, Pyhä-Luosto and Pallas-Ylläs, were established in 1938. Nowadays, there are 40 national parks that celebrate the country’s biodiversity. In addition, there are many smaller nature reserves and hiking areas around the country. They are equipped with marked trails and lean-to shelters with firewood supply, free to use for both locals and tourists.
SCIENCE CENTRE PILKE
Pilke House, located near the river Ounasjoki in Rovaniemi, is the wooden office building of Metsähallitus, a stateowned enterprise, which uses and develops forests responsibly. Science Centre Pilke is one of the numerous visitor centres in Finland where you can find information about forest, hiking, fishing, and other nature-related activities. Pilke House is definitely worth a visit as it is an architectural marvel on its own. The building is made almost entirely out of wood, with even the wallpapers made of birch bark! At the Science Centre, visitors learn about the sustainable use of nature and the diverse products that originate in the forests. The ground floor of Pilke features an interactive playground that lets you explore the forest with all your senses! It is filled with games, engaging challenges and obstacles, with which the whole family can have a great deal of fun and learn some new facts about nature. At the Science Centre, you can get behind the wheel of a forestry machine, explore wood-cutting equipment, and see Can-Am utility vehicles produced locally by BRP. One particularly fun game here is the Bird Song Karaoke that invites you to sing like a bird! Every bird has its own style of singing, and you can try to imitate it. Pilke also brings you the latest bio-based materials and products that mankind has learned to make out of timber.
The Pilke Café hosts the traditional Christmas handicrafts workshop from Dec 1st 2018 to Jan 6th 2019. At Pilke Shop you can buy some cool games and souvenirs made out of sustainable materials.
Address: Ounasjoentie 4, Rovaniemi | Admission fees: adults 7€, children 5€ | www.sciencecentre-pilke.fi 42
ALL ABOUT LAPLAND | WINTER 2019
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 9–18, Sat-Sun 10–16, closed on Mondays | From 1.12 to 6.1: Mon 9–16, Tue-Fri 9–18, Sat-Sun 10–16.