Kauppilanmäki – Village History and Landscape

Kauppilanmäki is a village in the eastern part of Vieremä, near the municipal boundaries of Sonkajärvi and Iisalmi. There are fast road connections to Vieremä and Iisalmi. The village’s history, the former school, and the landscape offer different points of interest as you plan your trip.

Location and Landscape

Kauppilanmäki lies in an elevated area at about 190 metres above sea level. In the 2024 plan proposal, the area is designated as a regionally valuable landscape area. These two details highlight different aspects of the landscape: the elevation places Kauppilanmäki in its topographical context, while the plan proposal records its regional landscape value. This combination of geographical location and landscape character may be of interest when choosing a destination, if you want to consider not only the village’s history but also its surroundings as part of your destination.

Family History and Houses

The name Kauppilanmäki is closely associated with the surname Kauppinen, which derives from the given name Kauppi. The Kauppinen family came to Kauppilanmäki from Leppävirta by 1599 at the latest. The brothers Riekki and Jussi built their houses next to each other there. The family history thus leads from the given name through the surname to settlement in Kauppilanmäki, while the neighbouring location of the houses provides a tangible link to the village’s early layout. The Rapakko house was completed in 1926. Rapakko and neighbouring Ristola are described as the Kauppinen family’s ancestral homesteads in Ylä-Savo. The dates relate to different chapters in the village’s history: 1599 marks the Kauppinen family’s settlement, and 1926 the completion of the Rapakko house.

Former School and Village Centre

The former school is an old log building that evokes the dignified character of a bygone era. The building serves as a meeting place for villagers and associations and can be rented for events and celebrations. It can also be used for art storage. The former school has a function room and an adjoining room, with space for 60 to 80 people. The building is therefore a focal point both for village community life and for organised events. If you are planning a celebration, event, or art storage, arrange the use and availability in advance with the village association.

The Kauppilanmäki village centre is rented out by the association Kauppilanmäen kyläyhdistys ry. Contact the association before making plans to discuss specific rental arrangements. There is a wood-fired sauna in the yard of the village hall. It was completely renovated in 2010 and can accommodate about ten people. Confirm current availability before planning to use it. The capacities differ considerably: the function room and adjoining room are intended for 60 to 80 people, while the sauna can accommodate about ten.

Discover more destinations: Varkaus, Paakkila, Lapinlahti, Kuopio, Kiuruvesi, Airaksela, Pielavesi, Rautalampi

For the broader travel overview: Northern Savo.