More

    Things to do in Lappeenranta

    The most interesting things to do in Lappeenranta. Photos and a brief description.

    Lappeenranta
    scattered clouds
    59.1 ° F
    60.5 °
    59.1 °
    67 %
    2.9mph
    40 %
    Mon
    58 °
    Tue
    61 °
    Wed
    61 °
    Thu
    65 °
    Fri
    60 °
    About Lappeenranta

    A cozy Finnish town, small, but beloved by tourists. There are especially many Russians here, the city is only 60 km from the border with Russia. Lappeenranta traces its history back to the XVII century. Its most important historical object is a defensive fortress, founded by the founders of the city — the Swedes at the beginning of the XVIII century. Today it has been restored and turned into a popular tourist attraction.

    On its territory there are museums, ancient temples, craft workshops. And from the ramparts there is a panorama of the picturesque Lake Saimaa — the largest in the country. Built in the XIX century, the Saimaa Canal is an important waterway connecting the lake with the Gulf of Finland. Water cruises on motor ships, as well as yacht and kayak trips on the lake and canal are popular.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Lappeenranta

    Lappeenranta Fortress

    The Swedes began the construction of a powerful defensive structure in 1721. As a result of military battles with Russia, most of the buildings were destroyed, and subsequently they were rebuilt and expanded by the Russian military under the leadership of A. Suvorov. Currently, all the fortifications have been restored. They house museums, workshops, art galleries, restaurants and souvenir shops. In the summer, dragoon patrols in ceremonial uniforms go around the territory of the fortress.

    Lappeenranta Fortress
    Saimaa Canal Museum

    Saimaa Canal

    The construction of a shipping route from Lake Saimaa through Vyborg to the Gulf of Finland was carried out in 1845-1856 . Its length is 43 km, width is 34-55 meters. The height difference between the channel and the Gulf of Finland is regulated by 8 locks, 5 of which are on the Russian side. 12 automobile and 2 railway bridges were built across the canal. During the war, the canal was destroyed, and the restored highway was opened in 1968. Water cruises to Vyborg and St. Petersburg are popular.

    Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos

    It is located on the territory of the fortress. It was built in 1744 as a garrison church at the expense of soldiers of the Vladimir regiment. After 40 years, the wooden building was replaced with a stone one. The Orthodox Church was often visited by commander A. Suvorov, Russian emperors. The iconostasis with ancient icons and church utensils of the XVIII century – crosses, silver vessels, liturgical books have been preserved to this day. The temple is active, open to the public in the summer.

    Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos
    Lappeenranta Church

    Lappeenranta Church

    It was originally conceived as a garrison Orthodox church for the Russian military. Construction work began in 1913. But after Finland gained independence, the church building became subordinate to the Lutheran community, was rebuilt and consecrated in 1924. Today it is the main temple of Lappeenranta. It is a massive red brick structure with five domes. It is located in the center of the city, on a small hill known as the Nikolaevsky redoubt.

    Church of the Virgin Mary

    Church of the Virgin Mary

    It is called the "double cross church" because of its layout. It was built of wood in 1794. In the center of the building stands an 8-coal tower with a weather vane. The interior is designed in calm gray-blue tones, the hall is designed for 870 parishioners. The main decoration is an old crystal chandelier made in St. Petersburg. There is an organ, the facade of which has been preserved since 1891. The four-storey church bell tower was built 50 years later and is located at some distance from the main building.

    Lauritsala Church

    It is located 4 km from the city center. The current Lutheran church. It was built in 1969. It is a modernist structure in the form of an upward-pointing triangular structure. This form symbolizes the Holy Trinity. The height of the church is 47 m, made of concrete and glass. The interior is decorated with wood, a boat with the inscription "truth" in Finnish hangs near the ceiling. Seats in the hall are designed for 670 parishioners.  There are 31 registered bodies.

    Lauritsala Church
    Old Town Hall

    Old Town Hall

    The wooden building was erected in 1829. Subsequently, it was repeatedly completed. It acquired its current appearance in 1891 – by the arrival of the Russian emperor, a music hall, a dining room, good American furniture and lamps appeared in the town hall. The old clock on the tower served until 1973 and was replaced by an electric one. The city administration was housed in the building until 1983, since then its halls have been used for conferences and special events.

    Museum of South Karelia

    It is located on the territory of the fortress, in the premises of the former artillery warehouses. It was established in 1963. The expositions are devoted to the history and cultural traditions of Lappeenranta and the entire South Karelian region, including the cities of Vyborg and Priozersk. The pride of the museum is a large model of pre–war Vyborg in 1939, occupying an area of 24 m2. Children's rooms are equipped for young visitors. There is a gift shop. Two cannons from 1877 are installed on the site in front of the museum.

    Museum of South Karelia
    Art Museum

    Art Museum

    The funds of this museum contain numerous works of art by Finnish masters, dating back to the XVIII century. A special place is given to contemporary art in the southeastern part of Finland. Paintings and graphics of novice young authors are presented. There is an interesting collection of wooden sculptures. The expositions are updated several times a year. Field exhibitions are practiced. The museum opened in 1965 and is located on the territory of the fortress, in the premises of the artillery barracks.

    Merchant Ivan Volkov's House-Museum

    Merchant Ivan Volkov's House-Museum

    Construction began in 1823. This is the oldest wooden building in the city. The merchant Volkov, a former serf from Yaroslavl, and his descendants lived here from 1872 to 1983. Subsequently, the house was donated to the city and turned into a museum 10 years later. Furniture and household items have been preserved, as well as a number of rooms of the merchant's house have been recreated – a bedroom, a nursery, a dining room, a study. Nearby there is a restaurant "Volkoff" and a bakery where Russian bread is baked according to old recipes.

    Cavalry Museum

    It is located in the guardhouse of the fortress, built in 1772. The exhibits of the museum are connected with the military events of 1618-1648, during which Finnish cavalrymen – Hakkapeliites who fought in the ranks of the Swedish army became famous for the first time. Military engravings and paintings, rare weapons, uniforms, harness and horse care items, photographs are presented. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the Finnish Dragoon regiment, which was located on the territory of Lappeenranta in the XIX century.

    Cavalry Museum
    Saimaa Canal Museum

    Saimaa Canal Museum

    It has been open to visitors since 1995. The exhibitions are devoted to the history of the construction of an important transport route and the main stages of its development. Among the exhibits are models of ships and locks, tools and uniforms of employees, reconstruction of the chief's office, photographs and documents. In one of the halls there is a large-scale map with marked routes through which the canal is laid. A shop and a cafe are open at the museum. Water cruises are offered.

    Karelia Aviation Museum

    The opening took place in 2000. The expositions are located in two hangars and in the open area of the Lappeenranta airfield. Among the main exhibits are helicopters and 9 aircraft manufactured by the USSR, Sweden, France, and Great Britain. There are also wreckage of downed aircraft preserved since the Second World War, pilot costumes, personal belongings, documents and photographs. The museum accepts visitors only in the summer. There is a small gift shop.

    Karelia Aviation Museum
    Monument to the Saimaa seal

    Monument to the Saimaa seal

    The endemic inhabitant of Lake Saimaa was awarded a monument in his honor on the Kauppakatu pedestrian street in the city center. The sculptor M. Pyalainen depicted a seal resting in the sun on a stone pedestal, surrounded by a small pond. The monument was erected in 1997. Finns are very careful about these animals – endangered representatives of the ringed seal subspecies living in fresh water. Their number today is only 310 individuals.

    Sand Sculpture Festival

    Sand Sculpture Festival

    Since 2004, it has been held every summer on the lake embankment. Sculptors from different countries participate in the construction of the sand town. The theme of the festival is different every year – animals, fairy-tale and mythological heroes, movies and cartoons, music. At least 3 tons of sand are required to create masterpieces. All figures are covered from above with an aqueous solution with the addition of glue. Such a shell is able to protect them from rain and wind. You can admire the sculptures throughout the summer.