About a hundred years ago, a passer-by started spreading the word about Ear Mountain and the existence of its inhabitants. Santa wanted to safeguard the tranquillity of his secret hiding place and came up with a superb idea that also allowed him to meet people who love Christmas and his many friends who come to greet him. It was around half a century ago that Santa Claus started to frequently visit the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi.
From the turn of the millennium, the Lappish centre for Christmas, the Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle became the most spectacular Santa Claus destination in World. The popularity of the destination saw the number of visitors double. The numbers of international visitors in particular increased up to fourfold in a few years to exceed half a million.
The City Tourist Board, set up in 1948, took over the management and development of the Arctic Circle Cabin. Activity became regular and the crush during the height season became unbearable. It was also impossible to comply with health and hygiene regulations in respect of both staff and customers. At the beginning of the 60s, the active efforts of the Tourist Board brought new colour to the experience of crossing the ”magic circle” in the form of reindeer and their drivers.
In June 1965, exactly fifteen years after the first Arctic Circle ceremony, a new cabin opened its doors to the public. This was designed by Lempi Purdy and both in size and fittings was considerably better equipped to serve the ever-growing number of tourists.
By the beginning of the 1970s, the number of visitors had doubled in accordance with the prediction made at the roof-raising ceremony and today 90 000 visitors a year call in during their stay in Lapland. For many groups, the crossing of the Arctic Circle is a ceremonial occasion which leaves an unforgettable memory.
Many heads of state and distinguished figures have visited the Arctic Circle and the Lapland landmark. These include the Secretary-General of the Soviet Communist Party Leonid Brezhnev, President Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, President Lyndon B. Johnson of the United States, President Edward Ochab of Poland, Crown Prince Carl Gustav of Sweden, the Shah of Iran, President Senghor of Senegal, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro, Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia Lubomir Strougal, and French Foreign Minister Maurice Schuman.
Today Santa Claus Village is a travel destination in Rovaniemi, Finland that has become a significant international centre for tourism. Each year, the destination attracts more visitors who are provided with an ever-growing number of services
