Julma-Ölkyn kalliomaalaus

Julma-Ölkyn kalliomaalaus is an ancient rock art site on the eastern shore of Lake Julma-Ölkky near Kuusamo, with paintings on a vertical cliff face positioned about 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water surface. The artwork sits on a gray section of fractured rock with cracks between the figures and a quartz vein running along the right edge.

The site was discovered in 1987 by a group of skiers from Tampere and represents the northernmost rock art location found in Finland to date. This discovery significantly expanded understanding of prehistoric art and human activity in northern regions.

The paintings show two human figures and animal fragments that suggest early inhabitants used this spot for ceremonial or communicative purposes. These artworks hint at spiritual practices connected to the lake and surrounding landscape.

A marked path leads to the paintings, though winter visits offer better viewing opportunities as the artwork becomes more visible from the frozen lake surface. Visitors should check weather and ice conditions when planning to view it from this vantage point.

The paintings may have been created over 1000 years ago and rank among the oldest artworks in this region. Their exact age is difficult to determine since organic materials for dating are absent, making the work even more mysterious.

Location: Kuusamo

GPS coordinates: 65.54378,29.32654

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:25