The Court of Tapiola
Ancient Finland was the land of forests and people lived in tight cooperation with the wild environment. Throughout time nature has been a matter of awe and our ancestors had a rather different relationship with its creatures – real and imaginary – compared to our modern apprehensions.
Mythical Forest – guided forest tour
Get yourself acquainted with the court of “Tapiola”, the mythical gods, goddesses, spirits and creatures of Finnish folklore. Learn about the ancient worldview of the nation that is deeply entwined with nordic nature.
The trail might follow uneven terrain and narrow forest paths. Dresscode: Wear clothing according to the weather conditions. Rain cloaks and rubber boots may be loaned from Haltia. (Subject to availability.)
- Locations:
Haltia, Nuuksio National Park, Espoo,
Central Park, Helsinki - Duration: 1,5 hours
- Price: From 108 € (including 2 persons)+54 €/person,
- What’s included: A guided walk in the Nuuksio forest
- Availability: All year round
- Capacity: Pax: 1–100
Enquiries
Finland Naturally Experiences
[email protected]
+35840 1636200
“The forest weaves an essential part of the Finnish soul’s landscape. Throughout time, it has been a sanctuary, a source of life and sustenance. Every branch, hollow, and the whispering of the treetops tells the story of Finnish roots, connecting us deeply with nature and the ancient wisdom of the forest’s inhabitants.
As we walk in the forest, we are not alone. According to Finnish ancestral knowledge, the forest is filled with spirits who cherish and govern the life within it. Tapio is the king of the forest, and Mielikki is the queen. Hunters and fishermen have sought their bounty from these two and various other forest spirits throughout the ages, and a part of the catch has also been sacrificed to them.
When a Finn steps into the forest, they enter into the soft embrace of generations of ancestral knowledge, where paths may have been trodden by their forebears. In the forest’s shade, time seems to stand still, and the worries of everyday life dissipate as the wind rustles through the foliage. In the forest, we can find peace and a connection to nature as well as to the past.
The forest is a place where magical mythological beings and human reality intertwine, creating a tapestry that is as real as it is imaginary – proof that the forest is not just a home for plants and animals, but also a playground for the human mind, where history and myths live hand in hand.”