Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings in Ristiina in Mikkeli

The rock paintings in Astuvansalmi are one of the most significant ancient
relics in the whole of Finland, and you can view them by the shore of Yövesi
at Ristiina. The paintings have been dated between 4000-2200 BC and they are made on a steep wall of rock, which forms the largest continuous area of rock painting in Finland. More than 80 figures have been identified on the wall, featuring people, elks, boats and palm and paw marks. The best-known and most unusual of them is a female figure holding a bow, called “the Artemis of Astuva”. The paintings are located 4-9 metres above Saimaa’s current water level. The wall of rock seems to form a human face when seen from a distance. Locals might have thought it to be god or image of it, which is why it became their cult site. The best way to get to the rock paintings in the summer is to book a boat, for example from Varkaantaipale in Ristiina.