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Municipality in North Karelia, Finland
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Heinävesi is a municipality in North Karelia, in the Finnish Lakeland. The municipality is known for its two religious attractions: the monastery of New Valamo and the Lintula Convent.
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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.
The nunnery of the former.
A minor attraction near the monasteries. Finland's only canal with 4 gates.
National landscape: lake-side scenery in natural state; backwoods
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.
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.
A cosy lunch and dinner restaurant in the town centre. An extensive salad bar, at least two main courses, bread, drinks, dessert, and coffee. Karaoke on weekend evenings.
Luostarihotelli
The town can be reached by the trains on the line between Joensuu and Pieksämäki (train station 6 km from the centre), with some buses between Joensuu and Varkaus as well as by car.
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