Region of Finland
Photo: Elias Muukka, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Lappeenranta countryside is a rural area, the westernmost part of South Karelia in the Finnish Lakeland. It's made up of the municipalities of Lemi, Luumäki, Savitaipale and Taipalsaari. Lake Saimaa reaches Savitaipale and Taipalsaari; there is an abundance of lake shore also otherwise (Taipalsaari alone has some 1,000 km of shoreline).
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Now a museum, Kotkaniemi was home of Pehr Evind Svinhufvud from 1908 until his death in 1944. Svinhufvud was chairman of the senate signing the declaration of independence in 1917 and President of Finland 1931–1937.
The Kärnäskoski fortress was built as part of the outermost defences of Saint Petersburg in 1791–1793. It was used also as a base for the Russian Saimaa fleet. The fortress was closed down in 1835, as all Finland had become part of the empire. The fortress is maintained as a nationally significant cultural historic landmark. There is a trail, a lean-to shelter, campfire site etc. Guided tours are available from the Partakoski village association.
Wooden church from 1786. Lemi has a tradition of singing psalms with four voices.
Defences built during World War II. Salpalinja stretched all the way to Savukoski in Lapland, but the heaviest fortifications were here, between the Gulf of Finland and Saimaa.
A canoeing route around Kuolimo off Savitaipale. There are lean-to shelters and trails to a few sights, such as the fortress at Kärnäkoski. The route optionally extends to Orrainpolku in the north and Suomenniemi to the north-west. The route has connections to Saimaa by 200–300 m portages at Kärnäkoski and Orraintaipale.
7-km trail with two lean-to shelters, by a pond and by the shore, respectively. The 40-m ascent to Luotolahdenvuori, with nice views, is steep. There is also a biking route around the area. Maintained by the municipality.
Pizza, kebab, salads, steaks.
Hotel and restaurant.
By bus
All municipal centres have bus services from Lappeenranta. In addition, Luumäki has bus connections from Kouvola, and Savitaipale from Mikkeli.
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Lappeenranta · International · LPP
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