Adventures on

land and water

Karelia

in Finland

Joensuu.................. 3

Nature.................... 4-5

Culture................... 6-7

Karelian Kitchen......8-9

Special Interest.......10-11

Location:

easternmost region

in Finland; border with Russia

for 300 km; much of the region

lies east of Istanbul and

even Cairo.

Area:

21 500 sq. kms, stretching

over 200 km north to south,

100 km east to west.

Population:

170 000

Towns:

Joensuu (pop. 58 000),

Lieksa (13 700), Kitee (9 800),

Nurmes (9 100), Outokumpu (7 800)

Waterways:

almost 4 000 sq. kms

Lakes: 2 000 (approx.), biggest is

L. Pielinen, 4th largest in Finland.

Forest:

covers approx. 70% of the

region; European Forest Institute

headquarters in Joensuu.

Hills:

include Koli (347m),

highest point in southern

Finland.

Holiday cottages:

20 000 approx.

The more detailed

Touristmap

of North Karelia

is available from

Karelia Expert Tourist Service Ltd

DIS

TANC

ES

from Joen

suu (km)

Heinävesi

78

Ilomantsi

72

Kitee

69

Koli

70

Lieksa

93

Nurmes

126

Outokumpu 46

TRAVELLER FACTS

NORTH KARELIA

for four distinct seasons,

each with its own attractions.

Summer in shades of green,

a snowy frosty winter,

the brief eruption of spring

and

the brilliant colours of autumn.

North Karelia, full of life

and new experiences.

Nurmes

Lieksa

Eno

Ilomantsi

Kitee

Rääkkylä

Heinävesi

Liperi

Polvijärvi

Juuka

Koli

JOENSUU

Outokumpu

Valamo

Kontiolahti

Valtimo

Pielinen

Höytiäinen

Pyhäselkä

Pict

ur

e: P

ekka Makk

onen

Möhkö

Kesälahti

Tohmajärvi

Ruunaa

Värtsilä

(Border

crossing

point)

Koitere

Czar Nikolai 1 of Russia chartered

the town of Joensuu on the banks

of the Pielisjoki river in 1848.

Nowadays it is a lively university

town, the capital of North Karelia.

One-third of the population are

schoolchildren or students.

Carelicum Centre, just across the

street from the market square, is

home to the North Karelia Muse-

um, which has changing and per-

manent exhibitions displaying

the history and culture of the

region.

The diverse permanent collec-

tions of the Joensuu Art Museum

encompass Finnish as well for-

eign art. The oldest objects date

from 3 000 years ago. The Muse-

um also has annual exhibitions

from home and abroad which in

some way complement the basic

collection.

The Bunker Museum is a section

of World War II defensive fortifi-

cations called the Salpalinja. This

was the largest construction

project in Finnish history.

University Botanical Gardens:

collections of plants from all over

the world; open all year round.

The City Orchestra performs at

Carelia Hall. The programme

includes symphonic and light

music. The City Theatre is locat-

ed in the City Hall designed by

Eliel Saarinen.

The more traditional arts are giv-

en additional colour by Joensuu’s

popular culture. Each summer

the Ilosaarirock Festival draws

about 20 000 fans.

Carelicum is also home to the region’s main

tourist information centre:

The C

apit

al of Nor

th K

ar

elia

“Besides the

university,

science and

business scene,

Joensuu

is also

a lively

cultural city

with museums,

theatre and

music.”

3

JOENSUU

www.kareliaexpert.fi

Alber

t E

delf

elt, V

irginie 1883

(Joen

suu Ar

t Museum, C

ederber

g C

ol

lection)

Pict

ur

e: P

ekka Makk

onen

Pict

ur

e: P

ekka Makk

onen

Pict

ur

e: P

ekka Makk

onen

CITY OF JOENSUU

www.joensuu.fi

CARELICUM CENTRE

www.carelicum.fi

ILOSAARIROCK

www.ilosaarirock.fi

Ilosaarirock Festival

Pict

ur

e: Jyri Piet

arinen

Pict

ur

e: E

et

u M

ononen

The forests and lakes of Karelia

offer the visitor a tremendous ran-

ge of accommodation for a rural

holiday, everything from remote

basic log cabins to magnificent

country homes.

Weekly rents range from 300€ -

2500€ depending on size and

situation of the cottage. Prices

include a fully-equipped kitchen,

firewood, sauna and a rowing

boat (where appropriate). Most

are close to water, with wild

berries and mushrooms often

only a short walk from your door

in season. In winter crosscountry

skiing and ice-fishing are only

minutes away.

What better way to see Finnish

Lakeland than from the water?

One alternative to a long drive is

the carferry across Lake Pielinen

between Lieksa and Koli, a two-

hour trip which gives excellent

views of the National Park.

From Joensuu there are short

cruises on the waters of Lake

Pyhäselkä or through the Pielis-

joki river scenery. For those with

more time there are regular sail-

ings between Joensuu and Koli.

There are boat trips available on

Lake Höytiäinen from both

Kontiolahti and Huhmari Holiday

Centre in Polvijärvi. In the south-

ern parts of the region Kitee and

Kesälahti also offer lake cruises

while in the west, at Heinävesi,

you can travel by boat between

Valamo Monastery and Lintula

Convent.

Relaxing Karelian Nature

“There are

about

2 000 lakes

and

20 000 holiday

cottages

in North Karelia

with two thirds

of the

area covered by

forest.”

4

NA

TURE

For Karelians the natural environ-

ment has always been much more

than merely a source of liveli-

hood. In the ancient religions na-

ture was a sacred thing and the

forces of the forests and waters

were tangible things with which

man had to live in harmony.

The diversity of landscapes, flora

and fauna in Karelia is enormous.

In addition to extensive wilder-

ness areas hikers are offered nu-

merous signposted trails with

marked areas for campfires and

backwoods camping; but if you’re

looking for something a little less

basic there is a broad selection

of cottages available. By keeping

to marked trails visitors can see

the countryside easily and at the

same time minimise erosion.

The universal right of access en-

joyed in Finland means freedom

of movement in the countryside,

including the right to pick wild

berries and mushrooms. Some

forms of fishing are also included,

but in many cases require a li-

cence, as does hunting.

Three complete national parks lie

wholly within North Karelia; Koli,

Petkeljärvi and Patvinsuo.

Koli, with its spectacular views

over hill and lakeland scenery, is

the most popular and has the

most visitor facilities, centred on

Heritage Centre Ukko.

Petkeljärvi, with camping and

hostel accommodation, lies near

the eastern border and is mainly

composed of forested sandy

ridges among sparkling lakes.

The most remote of the three is

Patvinsuo, an internationally im-

portant mire conservation and

research area with almost non-

existent facilities for day-trippers.

Though very different in character

all three parks offer the outdoor

enthusiast opportunities for such

activities as hiking, skiing, canoe-

ing and fishing.

Another spot ideal for lovers of

the outdoors is Ruunaa Rec-

reational Area with whitewater

boating, fishing, hiking, cycling

and skiing.

“Visitors to

Karelia

can find a broad

spectrum of

Finnish landscapes:

rugged ridges, hills,

marshes,

backwoods,

lakes and rivers

with sandy beaches

and islands

galore.”

5

HIKING TRAILS

www.vaellus.info

CANOEING ROUTES

www.canoeinfinland.com

NATIONAL PARKS

www.outdoors.fi

Ru

un

aa R

ecr

etion

al Ar

ea

Ko

li Nation

al P

ark

Karelian Culture

Lieksa’s Pielinen Museum, the

second largest open air museum

in the country, traces the devel-

opment of local building styles

over the last 300 years through

a collection of about 70 wooden

buildings. Well worth a visit for

anyone interested in history or

architecture.

Paateri, the creation of sculpt-

ress Eva Ryynänen (1915-2001),

consists of her home, studio and

a magnificent chapel in red pine,

all displaying a wealth of her car-

vings in massive wood.

Möhkö Village, lying near the

Russian border, is a seemingly

idyllic piece of Finnish country-

side but has an industrial history

displayed by the local ironworks

museum standing on the banks

of Koitajoki River. The surround-

ing area was also the scene of

fierce fighting during World War

II, signs of which can still be

found.

Parppeinvaara Karelian Village

(see page 8)

Bomba House, at Nurmes, is a

fine example of Karelian wooden

architecture. Standing at the

heart of a holiday village of log-

built houses decorated in tradi-

tional style with carvings and or-

namental paintings, Bomba can

offer hotel accommodation, res-

taurant, a spa, souvenirs, an

Orthodox chapel, a summer out-

door theatre and a broad range

of activities in summer and

winter.

The nearby town of Nurmes has

a heritage area of attractive

wooden houses standing along

birch-lined avenues.

6

“Karelia has

been part of

Finland since

independence

in 1917

but previous to

this the country

was ruled by

both Sweden

and Russia,

with the Karelian

border being

repeatedly

re-drawn

through

the centuries,

most recently

after

World War II.”

BOMBA VILLAGE

www.bomba.fi

VALAMO MONASTERY

www.valamo.fi

Möhkö

Paateri

Pielinen Museum

Bomba Village

Valamo Monastery and Lintula

Convent at Heinävesi are both

thriving centres of the Orthodox

Christian faith, havens of tranquil-

lity in this busy modern world.

Divine services are held daily.

Accommodation and refresh-

ments on site.

Throughout Karelia there are

numerous Orthodox churches

and chapels (called ‘tsasouna’),

each having its own festival

(‘praasniekka’) on the name day

of its patron saint. The biggest of

these is the Iljan Praasniekka

(dedicated to the Prophet Elias)

held at Ilomantsi around July 20th.

7

C

U

LTURE

Valamo Monastery

Orthodox Saint Elias Church, Ilomantsi

Variety, abundance, nuance –

three key words in the Karelian

kitchen, typically based on local

products such as fish and game,

forest mushrooms and berries.

Favourites include a bewildering

variety of pies and pasties with

names such as sultsina, tsupuk-

ka, pyörö, piirakka, kukkonen

and vatruska.

Throughout Karelia you’ll spot

restaurants and country inns

bearing the ‘Karelia à la Carte’

sign, a guarantee of genuine

Karelian cuisine, a unique com-

bination of the western kitchen

with influences from the Russian

kitchen and Orthodox traditions.

Parppeinpirtti, standing on a hill

near Ilomantsi, is a good place

to sample genuine Karelian fare.

The typical buffet includes a large

selection of pies, fish, salads,

mushrooms, casseroles, vege-

tables, stews. Desserts are usual-

ly based on local berries such as

lingonberry, strawberry, bilberry

and cloudberry. And don’t forget

to try the local berry wines and

liqueurs.

The Bomba House Restaurant

at the Karelian Village near

Nurmes serves traditional buffet

meals daily, as well as offering a

tasty à la carte menu.

The Valamo Monastery at

Heinävesi combines traditional

Karelian and Orthodox cuisines

complemented by wines made at

the monastery. A further speciali-

ty are the popular evening teas

served in July.

Ka

relian Kit

chen

8

Parppeinpirtti

“Karelia à la carte

combines the best

aspects of traditional

cuisine with more

modern tastes,

laying stress on

individuality in

preparation and

taking the fullest

possible advantage

of seasonal

ingredients.”

KARELIAN KIT

CHEN

9

Koli is full of legends, culture,

history – and above all glorious

nature.

According to local tradition Koli

was a centre for pre-Christian reli-

gions where violent struggles

between the forces of nature have

created the magnificent and

unique landscape we can see

today. These same views inspired

the works of such Finnish icons

as composer Jean Sibelius, au-

thor Juhani Aho and artist Eero

Järnefelt.

Heritage Centre Ukko is the in-

formation centre of Koli National

Park with permanent and tempo-

rary exhibitions as well as multi-

vision shows about the nature of

Koli.

The visitor services provided by

the National Park and the rest of

the Koli area include a full range

of accommodation: hotels, holi-

day apartments, cottages, camp-

ing and hostel. In summer every-

thing from hiking trails to fishing,

in winter two Alpine skiing

centres and many kilometres of

Nordic skiing trails.

Whether you enjoy individual

activities or an organised pro-

gramme, Koli has something for

everyone, whatever the season!

The Finnish Stone Centre

Finnish Stone Centre at Juuka,

not far from Koli National Park,

provides visitors a unique com-

bination of stone experiences:

a geo-data centre, soapstone

quarries and their products,

changing art exhibitions, a stone

park and restaurant.

“The highest hill

in southern

Finland,

Koli (347m)

lies at

the heart of

the Finnish

national

landscape.”

Ko

li - the Nation

al Landsc

ape

10

KOLI

www.koli.fi

FINNISH STONE CENTRE

www.kivikeskus.com

Finnish Stone Centre

Pajarinhovi Zoo at Kitee has over

100 species on view along a 2-

kilometre trail, everything from

local bears to exotic ostriches.

Nearby there are lakeside holiday

cottages, cruises on the lake, and

a popular venue for dancing.

PikkuKili Zoo, near Lieksa, has

its own nature trail on a forested

hill, along which you can see rein-

deer, wild boars, farm animals.

A perfect place for a family picnic.

Outokumpu is the home of a

former copper mine, in produc-

tion up to the 1980s. Now a mu-

seum tracing the history of min-

ing and visitors can still prospect

for minerals.

Särkiselkä recreation area, near

Outokumpu, has something for

everyone, with special attention

devoted to making trails, fishing

and other services accessible to

those with special needs, includ-

ing the physically handicapped,

seniors, and children.

Särkiselkä Fishing Oasis in

Outokumpu provides fishing and

other outdoor activities especially

designed with youngsters in

mind.

Kids’ Street inside Carelicum in

Joensuu is just what the name

says, a small street with child-

sized houses, toys, activities and

competent staff. Gives mum and

dad the chance to do some shop-

ping at the market square nearby.

Special Family Interest

Only an hour’s drive from Joensuu

you can cross into Russia at the

Värtsilä border crossing. From

there it’s only another hour to

Ladoga, Europe’s biggest lake,

with its unique monastery is-

lands. Visas are required for visit-

ing Russia.

Further information:

Karelia Expert Tourist Service.

Visit Russia

11

SPE

CIAL INTERE

S

T

Pict

ur

e: P

ekka Makk

onen

PIKKUKILI ZOO

www.pikkukili.net

PAJARINHOVI ZOO

www.pajarinhovi.fi

OLD MINE AND MINING MUSEUM

www.vanhakaivos.fi

Kids’ Street

Outokumpu Old mine

Pajarinhovi Zoo

PikkuKili Zoo

Old Valamo Monastery, Russian Karelia

Waldviertel, Austria

The system of waterways in the Austrian

Waldviertel is characterised by reservoirs,

ponds and small rivers. Due to the small

area of these inland waters, canoeing and

fishing are the preferred water tourism

activities.

[www.waldviertel-management.at]

Waterford, Ireland

The South East is the sunniest region in

Ireland – FACT. All those extra sunshine

hours makes the South East the ideal

choice for a leisure holiday in Ireland.

Visitors can choose between numerous

activities - a little exercise, recreation or

renewal - and spend a holiday that best

suits their needs.

[www.southeastireland.com]

Ruppiner Land, Germany

The system of inshore waters in Ruppiner

Land is characterized by its many inter-

connected lakes, rivers and canals (more

than 170 lakes) which lend themselves

well to canoeing and motorboating. Other

areas of water tourism include sailing,

fishing, diving, waterskiing, as well as the

all important boat trips.

[www.ruppiner-reiseland.de]

Swiebodzin, Poland

Potential as an area of unspoiled nature

- water and forest scenery, 2 landscape

parks, 11 protected areas. Architectural,

cultural and historical sights (monaste-

ries, castles, churches, etc.), various

cultural events.

[www.swiebodzin.pl]

w w w . k a r e l i a e x p e r t . f i

Joensuu

|

North Karelia tourist information

Koskikatu 5,FI-80100 Joensuu

Tel. [phone] | [phone]

Fax. [phone]

[e-mail]

Koli

|

Tourist information, holiday cottages

Ylä-Kolintie 2, FI-83960 Koli

Tel. [phone] | [phone]

Fax. [phone]

[e-mail] | [e-mail]

Lieksa

|

Tourist information

Pielisentie 2-6, FI-81700 Lieksa

Tel. [phone] | [phone]

Fax. [phone]

[e-mail]

Ilomantsi

|

Tourist information

Kalevalantie 13, FI-82900 Ilomantsi

Tel. [phone]

Fax. [phone]

[e-mail]

Nurmes-Valtimo

|

Tourist information

Kauppatori 3, FI-75500 Nurmes

Tel. [phone]

[e-mail]

Please note: All information in this brochure

was gathered in November 2006.

Changes may occur.

Karelia Expert Tourist Service Ltd is a full service

Tourist Bureau and a professional Destination

Management Company.

OUR AIM

To help visitors to Karelia in Finland

with sightseeing, excursions,

accommodation and tours.

Tailored to suit

Your needs.

DISTANCES

from Joensuu (km)

Helsinki

Tampere

Turku

Rovaniemi

EU CAPITALS

Amsterdam

Athens

Berlin

Bratislava

Brussels

Bucharest

Budapest

Copenhagen

Dublin

Lisbon

Ljubljana

London

Luxembourg

Madrid

Nicosia

Paris

Prague

Riga

Rome

Sofia

Stockholm

Tallinn

Valletta

Vienna

Vilnius

Warsaw

437

393

542

550

1 850

2 970

1 560

1 930

2 030

2 250

1 970

1 280

2 250

3 720

2 210

2 140

2 080

3 340

3 310

2 290

1 780

870

2 700

2 460

760

600

3 310

1 940

1 120

1 430

Other waterway holiday areas in Europe