SnowCastle of Kemi, Snow and ice castle in Kemi, Finland.
SnowCastle of Kemi is a seasonal building made entirely from snow and ice, located in the coastal town of Kemi in northern Finland. It contains a hotel, a restaurant, a chapel, and corridors, all shaped from packed snow and carved ice each winter.
The first SnowCastle was built in 1996, which turned Kemi into a winter destination in Finland. Every spring the structure melts away completely, and a new one is built from scratch the following winter.
The ice chapel inside hosts weddings and winter ceremonies that bring local traditions to life in this frozen setting. Visitors can witness how the region celebrates these special occasions within walls made entirely of snow and ice.
The interior stays below freezing at all times, so warm layers, thermal socks, and insulated boots are necessary for any visit. Daytime visits allow light to filter through the ice walls, making the carvings easier to see and appreciate.
The ice chapel inside hosts real weddings every season, with rings displayed on blocks of carved ice during the ceremony. Some couples travel from abroad specifically to get married within walls made entirely of snow.
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