Devil's Churns

Lapland


Also known as the Devil's Cauldrons, these 14 glacial potholes were created some 10,000 years ago by melt water from frozen glaciers and polished smooth by rotating rocks. Three of the potholes, including the largest, the Devil's Soup Bowl (15m deep with an 8m diameter), are the biggest of Finland's hundred-plus such formations. Metal staircases let you descend into several of the holes. The site is 25km southwest of Rovaniemi off Rd 926 on the slopes of Sukulanrakka at Rautiosaari.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lapland attractions

1. Rovaniemen Kirkko

9.91 MILES

Completed in 1950, this church replaced the one destroyed during WWII. The impressively large fresco behind the altar depicts a Christ figure emerging…

2. Rovaniemen Taidemuseo

10 MILES

A wide collection of contemporary Finnish art rotates in the clean white exhibition space of this gallery in an old brick truck depot. Performances by the…

3. Pilke Tiedekeskus

10.43 MILES

Downstairs in the Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) building next to the Arktikum, this is a highly entertaining exhibition on Finnish…

4. Arktikum

10.47 MILES

With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s finest museums. One half deals with Lapland, with…

5. Konttaniemen Porotila

12.23 MILES

Meet reindeer (including adorable calves in season) and find out about their life cycle at this reindeer farm 7km northwest of Rovaniemi. Tours complete…

6. Santapark

13.43 MILES

Built inside a cavern in the mountain, this Christmas-themed amusement park features an army of elves baking gingerbread, a magic sleigh ride, a carousel,…

7. Santa Claus Village

14.55 MILES

The ‘official’ Santa Claus Village is built atop the Arctic Circle marker, denoted by a line painted on the pavement (Arctic Circle certificates cost €4…

8. Santa Claus Post Office

14.58 MILES

Situated within the Santa Claus Village, this post office receives over half a million letters each year from children worldwide. You can browse a…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "finland/southern-lapland/attractions/devil-s-churns/a/poi-sig/1577939/1341395",
      "destination": "Lapland",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Finland",
      "region": "Lapland",
      "position": "superzone"
    }