Stories

Southern Kymenlaakso region of Finland is located by the sea and River Kymijoki. The region is formed by the cities of Kotka and Hamina as well as the municipalities of Pyhtää, Virolahti and Miehikkälä. The main reasons to visit the region are:

Kotka

• Parks of Kotka. The Kotka area is known for its award-winning and superbly tended parks, In Kotka, the whole town is a park..
• Langinkoski. The Fishing Lodge of the Emperor of Russia Alexander III. The Russian emperor spent his holiday by the River Kymijoki, at Langinkoski near Kotka, fishing and enjoying the magnificent nature in peace. The fishing lodge operates now as a museum.
• Maretarium – the underwater world of Gulf of Finland
• The Maritime Centre Vellamo – the Maritime Museum of Finland, Kymenlaakso Museum and different events are in the same modern building.

Events in Kotka:

26-29 JulKotka Maritime Festival,Children’s Maritime Festival www.meripaivat.com
25 Aug Ancient Fires’ Night

Hamina

• Shopkeeper’s Museum is an old-fashioned Finnish shop looking like at the beginning of the 20th century.
• Hamina City Museum is in a building dating from about 1760 known as “Catherine’s Palace”. The permanent exhibition that presents the history of the fortress town is supplemented by temporary displays.
• The old center of Hamina, Bastions. Hamina’s city center, based on a unique circular town plan, is one of the region’s most fascinating sights.
• The largest of Hamina’s bastions is the central bastion. Now it is used as a venue for different events.

Events in Hamina:

20 Jul Deep Purple – Rock concert http://www.deeppurple.com
30 Jul – 4 Aug Hamina Tattoo – International Military Music Festival www.haminatattoo.fi
14 Sep Night of the Lights Festival

Pyhtää

• Valkmusa National Park is a 2.5 kilometres long, a duckboard trail runs in the national park. Life in the area can also be viewed from an observation tower.
• Sirius Sport Resort multifunctional leisure center
• Pyhtää Church of Saint Henry is a granite church from 1460. Open 5.6. –  13.8. 2018, 10 – 15

Events in Pyhtää:
6-10 Jun Kymijoen Lohisoitto Music Festival,  www.lohisoitto.fi
17-18 Aug Archipelago Market in Pyhtää
25 Aug Ancient Fires’ Night

Virolahti

• Harju Manor is a part of Harju educational center, offers budget accommodation and catering services as well as tours in horse carriages and rides with an own horse. http://www.harjunopk.fi
• The Bunker Museum is a military history museum in Virolahti http://www.salpakeskus.fi/en/bunker-museum
• The Salpa line hiking trail A 50-kilometre hiking route begins in Virolahti by the sea, runs through forests, past hills and across fields and continues all the way to Miehikkälä. http://www.salpakeskus.fi/en/salpa-trail

Events in Virolahti:
3-8 Jul Kaakko Chamber Music Festival, Virolahti
7-8 Jul Sepramarkkinat, Klamilan harbour, Virolahti

Miehikkälä
The Salpa Line Museum in Miehikkälä Military history museum.

Events in Miehikkälä:
29 Jun – 1 Jul Salpa Hike, Miehikkälä

Photography: Visitkotkahamina.fi  and Mika Honkalinna