Rantakalla
The place you are now standing in used to be the location for the first swimming pool of Kalajoki.
Rantakalla is one of the original businesses in the tourism area and it possesses a breathtaking view over the beach.
The Rantakalla "travel center” was built in 1971-1972. First the swimming pool and café opened, and a year later the hotel building which represents the modern 70s architectural style.
You can see the old beach cabins of Tahkokorva from the windows of Rantakalla’s restaurant.
Rantakalla hotel was described as the shared business between the “three greats”: bank manager Aarne Isomäki, city’s building expert Olavi Nikkarikoski, and Medicine Specialist Untamo Sorasto.
Aurinkohiekat Co built a village of summer cabins near Rantakalla in 1972.
The Hotel has changed owners a few times and nowadays it is privately owned. During the last decades, the hotel and its surroundings have changed rapidly.
Matkailutie / Travel Road
While building Rantakalla, a new road was also built on top of the dune by private investors. It replaced several other smaller roads which were connected to the main road further away. The new road was named Matkailutie, which translates to Travel Road.
The curvy shape of the road is due to geopolitics – the road was built where land could be acquired. The road has been maintained later on by the state and reshaped in some parts.
Image descriptions:
- Rantakalla hotel and swimming pool in the 1970s (a postcard)
- Rantakalla hotel (a postcard)
- The finished village of summer cabins by Aurinkohiekat, 1972. (a postcard)
Address
Matkailutie 150
Tales from Hiekkasärkät
Do you know how Herrainpakat got its name? Where did Kekkonen, Tauno Palo and Ansa Ikonen visit? When did the JukuJukuMaa Waterpark first open? Is it true that there was a railway and Finland’s longest waterslide down at the beach?
Learn these facts and loads of other interesting tales about the history of the Hiekkäsärkät area!
When you click the heading image, you can swipe and see the rest of the pictures.
Information about the route:
- You can experience the route by walking or bicycling in part or in its entirety, or completely remotely in digital form.
- The entire route is app. 10 km long, but you can also just tour the central area of Hiekkasärkät.
- The route uses sidewalks, duckboards, and open areas.
The route is made in collaboration with the KUMA project and expert on built heritage Sari Alajoki.
Image sources:
- Camping site in the 1970s. (City of Kalajoki)
- Hilma's Hotel. (Kalajoen kotiseutuyhdistys)
- Midsummer celebrations at the beach. (Sari Alajoki private collection)