Sammallahdenmaki

Sammallahdenmaki is a Bronze Age burial ground of more than thirty stone cairns scattered across a wooded ridge, raised over three thousand years ago when the sea still lapped nearby. Now inland as the land rose, it is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the Nordic countries and a UNESCO monument.

What you'll find

• The burial cairns - over thirty stone mounds of the Bronze Age across the ridge.
• The Church Floor - an unusual long quadrangular cairn, one of the site's puzzles.
• The forest setting - the cairns among pine, moss and bare rock.
• The uplift story - the raised land that was once a sea shore.

When to go

Snow-free months for walking the trail among the cairns; a dry day suits the mossy rock. It is a quiet, contemplative site at any time.

Practical notes

The cairns are piles of stone, so the reward is atmosphere, age and imagination rather than dramatic ruins - a little background makes it far richer. It is inland and needs a car, with basic facilities. A short, thoughtful visit rather than a big attraction.

Nearby

Old Rauma and its wooden UNESCO town are a short drive; the west coast spreads around.

Key facts