Mätäsvaara
A small mining world with a touch of Alvar Aalto’s design.
The molybdenum mine established in the village of Mätäsvaara in 1939 was Finland’s second-largest mine during the Continuation War; prefabricated single-family homes designed by the legendary architect Alvar Aalto still stand on the site. The mine was closed after the war in 1947, but visitors can still explore its mining structures or attend concerts on a stage built in the mine lagoon.
The open-pit mine at Mätäsvaara, known as Forsström’s Pit, serves as a mining theater during the summer. After the mine was filled with rainwater following its closure, a lagoon formed, which now houses a 350-seat auditorium. This concert venue, with its distinctive acoustics, offers a unique cultural experience.
