Alaväylien

Alaväylien refers to a type of traditional Finnish dwellings known as underlog houses, often built in rural areas, especially in eastern Finland. These structures were constructed using simple, local materials, such as logs and sometimes wattle and daub, frequently with a thatched or turf roof.

The name "alaväylien" can be translated as "low house" in English, which is derived from the Finnish words "ala" meaning low and "väylien" or "väylä" meaning path, although the latter part of the name is often linked to the term "väylä" which refers to a way or path.

In regions where alaväylien were commonly found, such as the district of Repovesi in Kouvola, southern Finland, the houses, often single-story structures, were frequently found near rivers or other water sources. They served as fishing and farming dwellings, particularly for families involved in small-scale agricultural activities and subsidiary economy activities like hunting and fishing.

These homes offered a practical and self-sufficient form of accommodation for subsistence farmers, consisting of an under log construction, then wattle work wall layers. They were highly efficient methods for rural communities; making use of the structures' earth warmed walls and the provision of basic necessities like space to store household items and possessions.