Eighty rock paintings discovered at Astuvansalmi in Ristiina, Finland
Eighty rock paintings depicting human figures, moose, and handprints have been discovered at Astuvansalmi, located in Ristiina, Mikkeli. Researchers suggest these images were painted around 4,000 to 2,200 years before the Common Era. Accessing the rock paintings requires a three-kilometer hike along a path. Mikkeli city has long considered improving this route, but disputes between the city and landowners have delayed progress.
The city applied for permission from the South Savo ELY Centre to enhance the Astuvansalmi recreational trail. Originally, the improvement plan was proposed in a different location based on landowners’ requests than where the current path runs. Two landowners and a local private road association appealed the proposal to the Administrative Court of Eastern Finland, which sent the matter back for further deliberation in the spring.
According to Topiantti Äikäs, Mikkeli’s land use director, the city believes an official path to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings could be established along the existing trail through the forest. Plans are underway to create the official outdoor route, which may include small-scale constructions such as footbridges and stairs. Äikäs envisions further development for the area, including information signs, renovation of existing structures, and new constructions.
In 2022, the Finnish government granted expropriation permission for an eight-hectare area encompassing the rock painting field and a historical site. The expropriation appeal is currently under consideration in the land court. Pasi Ryhänen, a nature conservation expert at the ELY Centre, stated that only the technical details and compensation issues remain to be resolved. The ELY Centre began investigating land expropriation in 2020. Once the expropriation is finalized, the surrounding area will fall under the management of the state-owned Metsähallitus, making it responsible for any updates, such as docks and viewing platforms. Annually, thousands of hikers visit the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, and this number is expected to grow.