A visit to Finland
Our dream as Tulikivi representatives had always been to visit the place where it all began. Finally, after a couple of years, our Nordic sauna journey brought us to Finland. Tulikivi’s slogan, “Sensation of Northern Warmth,” suddenly took on a new meaning the moment we arrived in the small village of Nunnanlahti in northern Karelia.
We started the morning with breakfast at the Tulikivi showroom, which is open every day for anyone to visit. We enjoyed our coffee surrounded by soapstone — columns, vases, fireplaces and sauna heaters. At the center stood a massive soapstone fireplace, filling the space with warmth and comfort in the coldest winters.
The surrounding area felt like an entire “soapstone village” — the showroom, offices, two factories, quarries, and even a museum dedicated to the history of this unique stone.
We began our visit by exploring the showroom, where Tulikivi products — fireplaces, tiles, and sauna heaters — were on display.
But let’s start from the beginning…
The story of soapstone
Tulikivi products are made from natural stone called soapstone. With 70% of Europe’s soapstone reserves, Tulikivi controls the entire process — from quarrying to the finished product, all made in Finland.
Around 2.8 billion years ago, magnesite-rich metamorphic rock formed in eastern Finland. Over millions of years, heat, pressure, and mountain-building gradually transformed it into soapstone — a unique material known for its ability to withstand both intense heat and extreme cold.
Soapstone is composed mainly of talc and magnesite, along with other minerals that give it its most valuable property: it absorbs the heat and releases it slowly. This makes it ideal material for fireplaces and sauna heaters.
Next to the showroom, we visited the Soapstone Museum, where we learned more about the stone’s history. Soapstone was first discovered in this region in 1880, with industrial quarrying starting soon after. It was used not only for fireplaces but also for architectural facades.
Active quarrying in Juuka began in 1893 but eventually slowed as mining technologies changed and demand declined. The company eventually went bankrupt, but in 1979 Reijo Vauhkonen purchased the old equipment and property, laying the foundation for Tulikivi. Legend has it that during a visit to Karelia, he noticed that even where houses had collapsed, soapstone stoves still stood intact — inspiring him to create durable fireplaces from this remarkable stone.
Today, Tulikivi is best known for its beautiful fireplaces, prized for their impressive heat-retention capacity and modern design.
The company also produces sauna heaters and tiles, and the natural stone patterns make each Tulikivi product unique. As we often tell our clients — no two Tulikivi products are ever the same.
The quarries
After visiting the showroom, we went to the quarries to see how the stone is extracted. In this particular quarry, stone can be mined for another 5–10 years. Overall, the soapstone in all Tulikivi quarries will last for about 50 years.
Soapstone is extracted in large blocks weighing 7–20 tons, which are later cut into smaller pieces for easier transportation to the factories. The stone is relatively soft and easy to cut, though also fragile, meaning not all material can be used. The leftovers, however, don’t go to waste — our partner HUKKA Design repurposes them into unique sauna fountains and accessories, all of which you can also find in our showroom.
Once a quarry is fully depleted, it is filled with water, creating stunning turquoise-blue lakes. We visited one such former quarry — a breathtaking reminder of nature reclaiming its space.
In the northern landscape of quiet forests and clean air, we felt Tulikivi’s respect for nature. Their sustainable approach makes sure the stone will bring warmth to homes for many more years.
From stone to heater
After visiting the quarries, we also went to one of the factories where the stone is turned into fireplaces and sauna heaters. Nearby, in another factory, soapstone tiles are made. Of course, in these areas we weren’t allowed to take photos or videos. Here, the stone begins its journey at one end of the factory, where large blocks are cut into smaller pieces, later crafted into panels with different finishes.
Tulikivi products are popular because they come in a variety of designs. These designs all come from the same stone — the difference lies in the surface treatment, which creates different shades and textures.
Once the stone parts are ready, they are assembled into heaters and fireplaces to make sure everything fits perfectly. Then, the product is carefully taken apart and the pieces are numbered, so they can be reassembled later already in their new homes 🤍
Seeing how precise and careful the process is — how a simple block of stone becomes a heater — made us appreciate even more the quality we are proud to offer our clients.
Tulikivi hospitality
Our visit was made even more memorable by staying at Tulikivi’s guesthouse, located right next to the factory. The historic building, of course, is filled with soapstone.
Evenings were spent grilling dinner by an outdoor fireplace (of course made out of soapstone) and relaxing by the lake in a Tulikivi sauna — true northern hospitality and peace.
We also had the chance to visit the nearby Koli Relax Spa, created in collaboration with Tulikivi and Lumene. The spa interiors feature Tulikivi tiles and stones for heaters, while Lumene designed a special skincare set for spa rituals on-site.
The spa is stunningly located on a hilltop, offering breathtaking views of the lake — a perfect way to end our trip.
Final thoughts
Seeing the Tulikivi production process and the care that goes into every fireplace, sauna heater, and tile, we were reminded once again that representing this brand in Latvia has been the right choice.
The Northern warmth here is not only about fireplaces or sauna heaters, it’s about the uniqueness of the stone that started it all and all people behind it 🤍
For us, Tulikivi is more than a brand — it is a story of tradition, innovation and Nordic respect for nature.
If your travels take you to this part of Finland, make sure to stop by the Tulikivi showroom and catch a touch of Northern Warmth:
📍 Tulikivi Oyj | Kuhnustantie 22, Juuka, Finland
© Nordic Sauna | All photos from our trip