Saraakallio Experience Centre
Welcome on a Journey 7,000 Years Back in Time!
Welcome to the Saraakallio Experience Centre at Peurunka!
Located at Spa & Resort Peurunka, the Saraakallio Experience Centre takes visitors on a time-travel adventure into the ancient nature and rock art of Saraakallio—thousands of years into the past.
The Saraakallio Experience Centre offers something for all ages, including:
- an exciting time machine
- a climbing wall for school-aged children
- rock painting activities
- ancient mysticism through immersive sound and video installations
Inside the centre, you’ll explore history and your roots through the enchanting story of Sarâ, an ancient girl from Laukaa, and her family.
Welcome!
Opening Hours & Tickets
OPEN:
Starting Monday, July 21, 2025
Monday–Sunday, 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
TICKETS:
- Adult: €6
- Child (ages 4–14): €4
- Rehabilitation guest / Supported holiday guest: €5
- Person with reduced mobility (+ assistant): €5 (total)
- Adult + stroller/pram: €6
If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aid, please choose the ticket type “Person with reduced mobility”. This will open the access gate wider for easier entry.
If you are visiting with a stroller or pram, please select the ticket “Adult + stroller/pram” to activate a wider gate for convenient access.
Tickets are also available on-site at self-service kiosks and at the hotel reception.
TicketsArrival & Parking
It’s easy to reach Peurunka and the Saraakallio Experience Centre by car or public transport.
There is plenty of free parking available in front of Peurunka.
There is a daily local bus from Jyväskylä to Peurunka. The bus runs from Jyväskylä via Laukaa centre to the front door of Peurunka. The distance from Peurunka to the centre of Laukaa and the nearest shops is about 4.2 km.
Arrival and ParkingLegends and Learning at Saraakallio
Meet Sarâ and Her Story
Sarâ, along with her family, guides visitors on a journey into the past.
The characters of Sarâ and her family are fictional but based on historical facts. They bring the ancient rock paintings—and life from 7,000 years ago—closer to today’s visitors.
The experience centre offers a unique opportunity to explore the rock paintings, their origins, and the people who created them.
According to our story, it was Sarâ’s family who painted the images on the cliffs of Saraakallio. Today, Sarâ serves as your guide in the experience centre.
The Story of Saraakallio
The rock paintings of Saraakallio are located on a 40-metre-high cliff formation on the eastern shore of Lake Saraavesi, directly across from the church village of Laukaa.
Saraakallio is believed to have been an ancient sacred site used for sacrifices and worship. The oldest painted images date back approximately 7,000 years—older than the Egyptian pyramids!
The paintings were created using a red ochre mixture rich in iron oxide.
Common motifs include:
elk, human figures, diagonal crosses, boats, horn-shaped boats, and snakes.
Even an untrained observer can easily spot 5 to 6 images, while an experienced eye may detect dozens.
Eternal Water Has Preserved the Stories of the Rock
For 7,000 years, the pure water flowing down the cliffs of Saraakallio has gently caressed the ancient paintings. This water has protected, preserved, and given life to the rock art.
Today, Sarâkallio’s Eternal Water is pumped from Hallalähde spring in the village of Viitala, Laukaa—just a stone’s throw from Saraakallio.
When you drink Ikivesi, you connect with timelessness—the same force of nature that has flowed through history, pure and powerful.
Buy it as a gift, a souvenir, or a personal moment of reflection—and feel the eternity of the rock paintings.
Sarâkallio’s Eternal Water is available at the Peurunka Shop.
We also recommend
Saraakallio Theme Sauna at the Spa
Experience the ancient atmosphere in our Saraakallio-themed sauna.
Sit down on the bench. Listen.
Can you hear the echoes of the past?
Souvenirs from the Puoti Shop
Peurunka’s Puoti shop is located in the hotel lobby and offers a selection of unique Saraakallio-themed products. Pick up a lovely souvenir for yourself or a gift for someone back home.
Experience the authentic rock paintings in Laukaa
Information Point at the Laukaa Harbour
A small Saraakallio information center is open at the Laukaa Harbour.
There, visitors can learn more about the Saraakallio rock paintings and tourism opportunities in the Laukaa region.
Access to Saraakallio Is by Water Only
The unique prehistoric site of Saraakallio is located within a nature reserve, on a nearly vertical 40-meter-high cliff face situated on private land. Due to natural erosion, rocks and boulders occasionally break off from the cliff and fall to its base.
For the safety of visitors and the preservation of this exceptional site, access to Saraakallio is permitted only by water. The distance from Laukaa Harbour to the eastern shore of Lake Saraavesi, where the site is located, is approximately 2 to 3 kilometers one way. There is no marked trail to the site by land.
Paddle, ski or cruise to Saraakallio
Rental Equipment
The best starting point is Laukaa Harbour, where you can rent canoes, a SUP board, or a jet ski during the summer season.
Guided Tours
To get the most out of your visit, join a guided tour. With the help of a knowledgeable guide, you’ll discover numerous painted figures on the rock face and hear fascinating stories about the site’s history and the ancient rock art. Guided tours to Saraakallio are offered by Tavinsulka, EräKatri HauskaaOnnellista, Erä- ja luontopalvelut Hyväntähen, and Erä’s Pete’s paddling and fishing services.
Boat Cruises
You can also reach Saraakallio comfortably by joining a boat cruise with Päijänne Risteilyt Hilden. The Suomen Suvi cruise ship operates several times during the summer between Jyväskylä and Kuusa, stopping at the Saraakallio rock painting site for about 15 minutes on the return journey. You can also board the ship at Laukaa Harbour.
For more information about Päijänne Risteilyt Hilden’s cruise routes, please visit the company’s website.