Living Places of Finnish Mythological Creatures

in Kuusamo area

Julma Ölkky is a canyon lake. Rock walls on the shores rise up to 50 meters above the water level. The lake is three kilometers long but very narrow and deep. Close to the north end of the lake there is a hollow in the rock called Pirunkirkko, Devil´s church.

There are rock paintings by the lake. They are painted on the cliffs next to the water. The motives of the paintings are usually religious or mythological.

1. Julma Ölkky Lake

Julma Ölkky, a canyon lake

The Finnish rock paintings are a unique link to the world of the Stone Age people. The paintings were made 7000-3500 years ago in vertical rock surfaces.

Rock paintings are painted on cliffs with red

ocre. The most common figure is a human.

typically a frontal figure with bended knees.

The most common animal is an elk. Elk is

painted in many different styles and in many

sizes. For example snakes and fish are painted

as well. At times a painted hand or

a paw has been pressed to the cliff or red paint

is spread to a large area. The strongest colour is

often in these figureless red areas.

Rock paintings

Men figures and an elk by Julma Ölkky Lake Kuusamo.

Rock paintings on Värikallio Cliff Suomussalmi.

Pictures are taken by Ismo Luukkonen

Devil s church by Julma Ölkky Lake. The cave was a spelling site of a magic man in the 17th century. By Julma Ölkky Lake you can see a young man transformed to an eagle flying and watching his bride who lost her soul to the Devil. Once a year the eagle will tranform back to the boy who is crying with his bride for their bitter destiny by the Devil s Church.

Devil’s Church

Living Places of Mythological Creatures

2. Devil’s Church in Ruka, Kuusamo

The Devil’s church is avault-like crevice in the rock. According to

local stories the cave served once as a home for the devil himself.

He was a good fortune teller who gave answers in the dream.

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Pictures of Devil Churches and Julma Ölkky Lake are taken by Tuomo Kesäläinen