Messages from the past
So far, nine prehistoric rock paintings or color areas have been found in the area of Puumala municipality. Puumala is at the forefront of rock painting discoveries in Finland.
The Syrjäsalmi rock painting in Puumala is also one of the geosites of Saimaa Geopark.
One of the largest rock painting sites in the Nordic countries, the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, has been accepted as the first Finnish site for the Council of Europe’s Prehistoric Rock Art Trails cultural route (PRAT-CARP). Astuvansalmi is also located nearby in Ristiina, approximately 1 hour drive from Puumala.