Neiden is a small Sami village located near the Finnish border, about 40 km west of Kirkenes. Neiden, located along the Neiden River, consists of two villages; Neiden on the Norwegian side and Näätämö on the Finnish side. Here you will find a lot of history about the Skolt Sami, colonialism and much more.
Worth visiting
Skoltefossen
Skoltefossen is located in the middle of the village. The E6 crosses the Neidenelva River. Park at the bridge and walk to the Skoltefossen waterfall which runs right under the bridge. If you are lucky you can see the salmon on their migration up the river (June-Aug)
Skolt Sami Museum
The museum's permanent exhibition " Skoltlandet" consists of 300 objects displayed over 200 square meters, divided into three rooms: The People, The Country and The World. Each part of the exhibition offers a perspective and together they attempt to tell the complex history of the Skolt Sami.
More info: Skolt Sami Museum
Skoltebyen with St. George's chapel
Before the border was drawn up in 1826, siidas (landmarks) delimited areas of use and social organization. The national borders introduced new premises and structures for the area, which led to changes in the Skolt Sami way of life. Skoltebyen became a year-round settlement where several Skolt Sami families lived permanently until about 1980, while today only one house is inhabited all year round. The Ministry of the Environment protected Skoltebyen as a cultural heritage site in September 2000, to preserve the cultural, historical, religious and landscape values.
The Russian Orthodox Church began the Christianization of the Skolt Sami in the 16th century. Tradition has it that the monk Trifon built a chapel in the Pasvik and Neiden siides in 1565. The existing building in Neiden was named St.Georgs Kappell, and is probably a couple of hundred years old. Inside the chapel there is an altarpiece, an altar and several icons.
Neiden Church
In 1898, a request was made to the Ministry of Church and Education from 26 families in Neiden to have a church built and a cemetery established in Neiden. Just 4 years later, the church was completed. The population's desire for a church coincided with the authorities' desire to secure the border areas against Finnish-Russian expansion. Architect Karl Norum was very interested in old Norwegian stave churches, and he designed a building that would be an expression of Norwegian culture and national cohesion in the border area. The church was inaugurated on July 13, 1902.
Getting there
Neiden is located along the E6. Follow the E6 towards Tana 40 km from Kirkenes.
For bus offers check https://snelandia.no/
Places to stay and eat
Organized trips to Neiden
Kirkenes Booking – Pasvikturist AS offers excursions with guide and minibus
Barents Safari offers snowmobile tours from Kirkenes to Neiden and Finland