Attractions

MerikarviaYou can go on a sea trip to the rugged and beautiful Ouraluoto, learn about the stories of the seaside with the help of the Friends of Bothnia map, or visit one of the largest wooden churches in Finland. The dream preacher Anna Rogel has had an impact on the town in her time, and a memorial statue has been erected in her memory in Alakylä, on the plot where her home was located..

Merikarvian church

Kauppathie 56, Merikarvia, inquiries: 02 5512 300

MerikarviaThe beautiful wooden church was built in 1899. It is one of the largest wooden churches in Finland. The church was designed by architect Johan Nordstrand and the 25-stop organ from 1900 was built by Urkutehdas BA Thule.

The church has 979 meters of pews, which would provide enough seating for about 2400 people. The church operates as a roadside church during the summer. The church can be booked for various events from the vicarage office. Nowadays, during the winter season, events are mainly held in the parish hall.

Oura Archipelago

For inquiries and reservations for Ouraluoto boat transfers and accommodation inquiries, please contact Eumer Resort tel. 045 350 3325, travel@eumer.fi, Eumer Sea Resort – eumerresort.fi

The ruggedly beautiful Oura archipelago is full of experiences and sunshine. Sunshine is a well-studied thing. Thanks to the maritime climate, the sun's warming rays often hit Oura even when it is cloudy on the mainland. As the old saying goes Merikarvia, and especially in Oura, has a hundred more sunny days than inland.

The Oura Archipelago, part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, is located Merikarvian on the open sea, about eight kilometers from the coast. The island and islet landscapes are rugged with a maritime feel. Nature enthusiasts are particularly attracted by the birdlife, which includes the white-tailed eagle and the cormorant. Ouran Pooki, built in the 1850s, once guided sailors in the right direction towards Merikarvian harbor.
Ouraluodon The pilot house was inhabited by the pilotage service until 1968. The pilot house and the Russian barracks have been renovated into accommodation and meeting facilities. The island, owned by the municipality, is a public recreation area. A photo exhibition in the pilot house's observation room tells about the island's history.

A hundred island shores The map project was published in 2018 for the joy and benefit of all fishermen and those who travel by sea. Boaters and sea kayakers in particular will likely find interesting destinations in it.
The map shows over a hundred destinations MerikarviaThe map refines the cultural heritage originally collected in the EU/LEADER project "Sea Fisherman's Dictionary" with traditional place names and their stories in dialect and common language.

The yellow square marks the landing places for boats and canoes. The blue drop indicates good landing places and service points. The red drop indicates interesting story locations. The marked boat lanes are presented for orientation. The map is complemented by the electronic “Seafarer's Guide” (pdf, 90 pages, 21,3 Mb), the link to which can be found here: https://www.selkamerenystavat.fi/joomla

A responsible hiker does not disturb the nesting peace of birds or the privacy of residents or cottagers, and takes away what he brings.

The map has been produced as part of a rural development project partly funded by the EU/LEADER programme in honour of Finland's 100th anniversary and sea fishermen. The presentation and descriptions of the sites have been carried out by the Friends of the Bothnian Sea National Park Association and Merikarvia-seura ry. Feedback and suggestions for corrections can be sent to info@selkamerenystavat.fi

Krookka guest harbour invites you

Krookka is a traditional boat and fishing harbour, where you can enjoy local flavours at the waterfront restaurant The Merry Monk and the Krookan Plass summer café. The guest harbour has its own playground for children. You can visit the Galleria Vanhassa Savu in Krookka to admire art and listen to concerts.

Krookka boat launchis in the Krookka harbour area on Friikoolintie. There are also boat launch sites in Köörtilä and Kasala fishing harbour. Boat launch enquiries: 044 7246 333

Krookan Pooki is erected by the Merikarvia Society. Krookan Pooki, which illustrates the uplift of the land, tells about the land exposed under the sea water in past centuries, when the earth's crust, pressed into the depression of the continental ice, tries to return to its original state. In Merikarvia, the rate of land uplift is about 7,5 mm per year, which is about 75 cm per century.

You can stay at the guest harbor pier for 24 hours free of charge, and boaters have access to toilets, showers, and a fuel dispenser.

Krookka Harbour has a magnificent amphitheatre-like Krookka seaside stageThe maritime stage can be booked for various events. In the summer, the stage hosts summer theater performances by the Ouraooppera association. The auditorium can accommodate approximately 500 people.

Memorial statue of revivalist preacher Anna Rogel

Near Kuninkaantie 7, at the intersection of Kuninkaantie and Rantatie.

Anna Rogel was MerikarviaThe most important figure in the religious movement that emerged in the 1700th century. He had poor health since childhood. His condition deteriorated, and there was no hope of recovery. At Christmas 1770, Rogel suddenly began preaching. He spoke for almost four hours at a time, and his sermons were heard from all over the Satakunta region, even from the other side of the Gulf of Bothnia.

Anna Mikontytär Rogel became seriously ill at the age of 19 and never got out of bed. She preached with a powerful voice with her eyes closed, so to speak, in a dream, and aroused great wonder and interest.
Anna emphasized God's love and grace in her sermons, and between her sermons she sang hymns she had composed herself. The sermons usually ended with long prayers. Anna Rogel died at the age of 32 in 1784, after preaching for 14 years.

As a token of gratitude and respect from the afterlife, a granite statue has been erected in the yard of his home as a memorial.