Koli
| Koli | ||
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 View from the Koli |
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| height | 347 m | |
| location | North Karelia ( Finland ) | |
| Coordinates | 63 ° 5 '35 " N , 29 ° 49' 3" E | |
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| rock | quartz | |
The Koli [ ˈkɔli ] is a 347 m high mountain on Lake Pielinen in the Finnish region of North Karelia . Despite its modest height, it rises significantly above the surroundings. The famous view from the top of the Koli over the surrounding lake landscape is considered a national symbol in Finland, which served and serves as inspiration for many artists.
Since 1991 the mountain and its surroundings have been designated as a national park. The protected area covers an area of 30 km².
Location and surroundings
The Koli consists largely of white quartzite . It is a remnant of what was once a much larger mountain range. The mountains were abraded by the glacier masses during the Ice Age , so that the hardest rock forms ridges, while softer rocks were eroded.
There are large treeless rock surfaces on its top. The peaks of Koli are called Ukkokoli (after the pagan god Ukko ) and Akkakoli (after Ukko's wife Akka ).
The Koli is located in the 30 km² Koli National Park . Today it is one of Finland's most famous sights and is a popular travel destination with a hotel and a skiing center. A road leads almost to the top. Except for a few paths and stairs, the summit area has been left in its natural state. A total of 90 km of marked hiking trails run in the vicinity of the mountain.
In summer there is a ferry connection over Lake Pielinen to Lieksa and Nurmes . In winter, a 7 km long ice road across the frozen lake connects the Koli with Vuonislahti on the opposite bank of the Pielinen.
history
The Koli was a religious place of worship in pre-Christian times. On the north slope there was a sacrificial site where gold and silver coins were found, among other things. According to popular belief, powerful spirits lived on the mountain. Trials took place on the Koli, during which convicted criminals were plunged into the abyss.
Until the 19th century , traditional shifting cultivation was practiced in the Koli area . Forest areas were cleared and used for farming for two to five years. It was then left to nature again while a new area was cleared.
Culture
National romanticism emerged in Finnish art at the end of the 19th century . The influence of the Kalevala epic led to an enthusiasm for the nature of Karelia . The Koli landscape was the inspiration for well-known Finnish painters such as Eero Järnefelt , Pekka Halonen , writers such as Juhani Aho and composers such as Jean Sibelius . Since then, Koli has been a popular travel destination and is considered the Finnish " national landscape ".
Panorama picture
Web links
- koli.fi - Koli Tourist Information website
- Finnish Fort administration: Koli National Park (Engl.)