Art Center Ahjo is a fast-reacting art center open to all art forms. The art center is located right in the heart of Joensuu in an Art Nouveau-style yellow wooden house at Kirkkokatu 23, 80100 Joensuu and is maintained by the Joensuu Artists' Association. Ahjo has a total of five exhibition spaces with exhibitions changing every thr...
Bomba House is a copy of a house built in Suojärvi, Russian Karelia. The original house was built by Jegor Bombin in 1855 for his son Dimitri Jegorov and it was built using long round logs. The original house had 27 rooms and you could even ride in with a horse. After the Second World War the house was decided to be re-built to Bomb...
Joensuu art museum is closed for renovations. The Onni Art Museum's permanent exhibitions feature the museum's diverse Art Collections throughout the year. In addition, there are changing exhibitions on the ground floor of the museum, which focus on current phenomena in Finnish and international visual art. The art museum is located...
The Joensuu Bunker Museum is a piece of Salpalinja, a 1,200-kilometer-long fortress chain built after the Winter War along the border to Soviet Union. In the area of the Bunker Museum, you can get to know the fortress structures of Salpalinja in their very original place. The museum area features two restored reinforced concrete bu...
The Joukon polku trail is well suited for hikers of all skill levels, including families with children. The Vinkerlahti marina car park and the Girls’ Park are located at the starting point of the trail. This short one kilometre-long trail, takes you to the bird tower, where you can admire the beautiful views of Puu-Nurmes and Lake ...
Kohtavaara nature and history trail leads you through forests along with which you will find information signs about the history and nature of the area. The signs also have QR codes so you can check out more information on mobile devices. Find the ruins of the old farm, furrows in the bedrock and the path of silence. The Kohtavaara n...
Finland’s best loved national landscape When you take in the marvellous view over Lake Pielinen from the top of Ukko-Koli hill, it’s easy to see why this spot has attracted so many Finnish artists, photographers and nature-lovers over the centuries. The splendid scenery always instills a sense of serenity and wonder in visitors. Kol...
The Kuhasalo nature trail is located near the center of Joensuu, about three kilometers from the market square. There are two unobstructed nature trails: one and two kilometers long. Kuhasalo, also known as Kukkosensaari, is a historically significant place and there is a monument to the wilderness monastery. The trails run mostly a...
Taitokortteli is a cultural centre located in the heart of Joensuu. Over the years, Taitokortteli has become a centre for local and visitor craft professionals and enthusiasts. The services it provides include its stores, café and various craft services. Additionally, Taitokortteli hosts several events and exhibitions throughout the ...
Museum Eliel offers experiences of and insights into the history and present day of North Karelia. The exhibitions at Eliel showcase the region's diverse voices, breathtakingly beautiful nature and life through the ages. With its refreshed brand, Museum Eliel continues the work that the North Karelian museum has been doing for over ...
Möhkö Ironworks is a place for the entire family! At the Ironworks you can learn about the history of the ironworks, war history and the time when Möhkö was dependent on forest industry. The building of the Möhkö Ironworks started in 1838, in the middle of the wilderness on the brink of the Möhkönkoski rapids of the Koitajoki River....
The current church of Nurmes is the fifth in its series and was built between 1893-1896. The church mimics the late Gothic style from the 19th century, the grandeur of which you can remember long after your visit. Inside the church, you will find impressive masterpieces: stop to study the Christ on the Cross altarpiece from 1913, wh...
The City Library, Kötsi Museum, cinema, Gallery Tyko and Cafe Harju are located in the Nurmes-talo. Many concerts and other cultural events are held in the Nurmes-talo. Nurmes-talo was designed by Arkkitehtitoimisto Helasvuo & Co. It was taken into use in January 1991. The beautiful lake and ridge scenery that opens up from inside is...
Explore open bogs and sandy shores in bear country Scanning the open marshes of Patvinsuo you might be lucky enough to see a distant bear, though bears typically do their best to avoid people. From viewing towers you can overlook the changing marshland scene on misty autumn mornings, light summer nights, or in the springtime when bi...
Peaceful esker ridges and lakes in the Karelian borderlands Pine-clad esker ridges formed during the Ice Age rise over pristine blue lakes in this beautiful part of Finland’s eastern borderlands, well worth a day trip or a longer stay. Don’t miss the lively and picturesque old Karelian village of Möhkö near the park. The colourful h...
Pristine lakes rich with fish and brilliant ridge forests are the elements that make Peurajärvi Lake. Peurajärvi Lake is a small hiking area on the border of Nurmes and Sotkamo. You can choose your hiking trail from two different ring routes, one of which goes around Lake Mäntyjärvi and the other around Lake Iso-Valkeinen. There is a...
Amongst the rolling ridges, you will find the Raesärkät sand banks. This is a beautiful day trip destination, easily accessible for the whole family. There are several stops along the route, a short distance apart. Although the ridges dominate this area, you will also find beautiful lowlands, pristine lakes, river bends, and an old ...
The Rune Singer's House was built in 1964 to commemorate the Rune-Singers and the Karelian architecture. The architect of the House was Aulis Kalma. The Rune Singer's House was he first post-war building to be constructed in the traditional Karelian style in Finland. Ilomantsi’s secluded location on the border between the Lutheran ...
Raging rapids in Finland’s eastern borderlands The wild white waters of Ruunaa's rivers can be enjoyed from a rocking raft by thrill-seekers, or from a shady riverbank by keen anglers. You can paddle your own canoe here or join a guided rafting or paddling excursion. A great way to round off a day in the wilds is to grill a freshly...
The All Saints Chapel or prayer room was consecrated in 1980. It was originally constructed in Parppeinvaara for the filming of a film about rune singer Larin Paraske. The chapel’s icons were made by the local icon painters. Nowadays the chapel is used by Ilomantsi’s Orthodox parish and it serves as the place of service for the Brevi...
The history of the legendary Rukapirtti is inextricably linked to Major General Erkki Raappana, the Continuation War and the battlefront of Rukajärvi. The exhibition of the Border General’s Cabin depicts his multifaceted character. The Border General Raappana was a nature- and dog-loving person as well as an outstanding war strategi...
The Border of Memories Museum records the national defence and military history of the Kontiolahti region. The museum brings objects, stories and different types of memories from the region back to the region. As its name suggests, the Border of Memories Museum uses the interfaces of different memories to examine the Kontioranta and...
The Mesikkä Animal Museum’s exhibition showcases the relationship between people and nature: the traditions, hunting and the special features of the local nature.The species in the exhibition are native to Ilomantsi area. At the Mesikkä Animal Museum, one can see the most typical animal species of North Karelia and experience the ama...
Elias Lönnrot writes in the foreword of the Kanteletar: “A couple of years ago, and it probably still is the case, there lived by Koitere Lake an old 80 year old wife, Mateli Kuivalatar, when we were reciting songs collected from other girls to her, she replied with “oh they still reminisce about them in this land and who sang it to...
The islands of Utra are a rocky island complex sandwiched between idyllic wooden bridges, about 6 km from Joensuu Market Square. The area has the possibility of frying sausages at the fireplaces or just jogging around the islands. The gaps between the six islands are crossed along beautiful wooden bridges. Duck families and other fam...
Beautiful wooden houses amongst birch trees and steep streets form the unique cultural environment of Puu-Nurmes, an idyllic residential area in the heart of Nurmes. Puu-Nurmes is one of the best preserved wooden house areas in Finland, with the majority of the buildings dating back to the 1880-1930. This area is perfect for strolli...