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Photo: Pertsaboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Orthodox Christian monastery founded on the island of Valamo in Ladoga Lake in the 19th century moved to Heinävesi as Valamo was ceded to the Soviet Union after WW2. New Valamo is a good place to see icons and other forms of Orthodox Christian art. In the summer guest rooms are available for those who wish to stay a little longer.
New Valamo or New Valaam is an Orthodox monastery in Heinävesi, Finland. The monastery was established in its present location in 1940. However, the tradition of the Valamo monastery dates back to 1717. The monastery was then originally established on Valaam which is an archipelago in the northern portion of Lake Ladoga, lying within the Republic of Karelia in the Russian Federation.
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A minor attraction near the monasteries. Finland's only canal with 4 gates.
The nunnery of the former.
National landscape: lake-side scenery in natural state; backwoods
Dance pavilion, elected Finland's most beautiful one in 2024. It lies on a small island between two rapids and the lakes that they connect. Free water. Café assortment includes pancake, karjalanpiirakka, kalakukko etc. Also alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Asking alternate hours (men/women). Caravans can stay overnight, toilet available until noon.
National park shared between Heinävesi and Enokoski. It features majestic cliffs, rock paintings, the old quartz quarry of Ukonvuori and the general lakescape of Saimaa, with many islands, narrow inlets and sounds. The fauna includes Saimaa ringed seals. The park is best experienced by canoe, but there are also a couple of short trails, 5 km in total.