Tapio Ateljee - Mystical artisan craft-geocultural destination

Contemporary folk artist Tapio Autio’s atelier, surrounded by nature, exudes mysticism and spirituality. The studio complex features a sculpture park, stone paintings and buildings that together form a breathtaking ensemble covering hundreds of square meters.

Autio’s works are inspired by the Finnish national epic, Kalevala. They bring ancient legends to life, such as Tapio, the spirit of the forest. In the midst of this enchanted world stands a stone chapel with seating for 120. Here, visitors can pause to listen to themselves and the hymns of the wind and rain. At the highest point of the atelier, atop a rock, a 16-meter observation tower offers stunning views of the Lappajärvi crater lake.

Autio has been fulfilling his dream of painting and building since 1995, using Finnish stone as his primary material. This monumental effort reveals the immense physical and spiritual dedication of one man. Autio has pursued his art alongside his career as a police officer, providing a counterbalance to his professional life.

The studio is open to groups by appointment and to the public daily from Midsummer to the end of August. It is an excellent destination for group tours.