Follow in the footsteps of a heavy metal group in Lordi’s Square, a plaza in central Rovaniemi named after the Finnish group that won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. This city center attraction features a tribute to the band and is surrounded by busy areas for shopping and dining. Begin your exploration of Rovaniemi in this square before walking to some of the town’s fascinating nearby attractions.
After many years of faring terribly in the Eurovision Song Contest, an annual international music competition famed for kitsch songs, Finland finally struck lucky in 2006. Lordi, a heavy metal band from Rovaniemi who dress like monsters for their gigs, won with their anthem Hard Rock Hallelujah. This square, which was then known as Sampo Square, was renamed to honor the winning act. Stroll around the square and look for the monument celebrating the band.
Download the band’s greatest hits and listen to their melodic metal as you walk around the square. Seek out the monument to the band, which has cement impressions of their hands grafted onto marble. The handprints are located at the bottom of a striking, modernist clock tower with digital displays.
Come back to the square in winter to enjoy a lively market and a beautifully lit Christmas tree, which adds a festive ambiance to the square. Snow slides are sometimes set up on the square for children to enjoy.
Hunt for bargains in Sampokeskus Shopping Centre, a stylish mall located on the square. Browse in around 40 stores for the latest in fashion and beauty. The center also features cafés and restaurants for hungry shoppers.
Lordi’s Square is occasionally used as a venue for open-air events. Watch traditional Finnish dances or find out about other upcoming events in the tourist information center, located in the shopping center.
Walk from the square to Arktikum, an iconic, glass-domed building that houses a history museum and a science center. Also nearby is the Korundi House of Culture, the home of the Rovaniemi Art Museum. Regular buses run to streets adjacent to the square.
