Step into the heart of Savo-Karelian culture, slash-and-burn agriculture, and living heritage. Telkkämäki is a unique slash-and-burn heritage farm and one of the very few of its kind in the Nordic countries. Located within a small nature reserve, Telkkämäki invites visitors to travel back in time and discover how people once lived and farmed in eastern Finland.
During the guided tour, you will learn about the worldview and everyday life of slash-and-burn farmers, as well as traditional Savo-Karelian spells that reveal a deep and respectful relationship with nature. Slash-and-burn agriculture made it possible for settlement to spread across eastern Finland, combining forest cultivation with livestock farming, hunting, and fishing into a diverse and resilient way of life.
This traditional lifestyle gradually disappeared as the value of forests increased with the rise of the forest industry. Kaavi was among the last areas in Finland where slash-and-burn agriculture was practiced, and at Telkkämäki it was still used for traditional farming in the 1930s. Today, the land within the nature reserve is still burned annually to preserve this unique cultural landscape.
The sense of history begins even before reaching the farmyard, as the road leading to Telkkämäki is bordered by traditional Kaavi-style wooden fences. The main building dates back to the late 19th century and has been restored to reflect its appearance in the early 20th century. The farmyard also includes a barn, drying barn, granaries, and a traditional smoke sauna.
In addition to the beautifully weathered buildings, visitors will find grazing animals and open pastures. Thanks to grazing and traditional mowing, the yard areas remain rich meadow landscapes, allowing diverse meadow flora to thrive and expand.
Group size: minimum 10 person(max 50 person
Duration: 1,5 hour
Request an offer: Anne@wildkarelia.fi
.webp)
.webp)
