Chances are you will see anglers trying to catch salmon and sea trout as you raft down the calm waters. Today, the Kymi attracts outdoor enthusiasts who love to canoe, kayak and fish. Finland was part of Sweden from the 12th century to 1809, and the river formed the border between Sweden and Russia during that time period. The longest river in Finland, the Kymi as it is known more familiarly flows through the beautiful, forested countryside before emptying into the gulf near Kotka. The longest river in Finland, the Kymi as it is known more familiarly flows through the beautiful, forested countryside before emptying into the gulf near Kotka.Ĭruise down the free-flowing Kymijoki River in an open raft for an outdoor experience that will be spectacularly scenic and immensely pleasurable. There are also numerous historical wooden houses well worth a look.Ĭruise down the free-flowing Kymijoki River in an open raft for an outdoor experience that will be spectacularly scenic and immensely pleasurable.
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During free time there, be sure to notice Hamina’s unusual circular town plan that features a star-shaped fortress at its center. Although the original town was leveled in the Great Northern War, it was rebuilt in the 1720s with defense in mind. Life wasn’t quite so calm in Hamina, the oldest garrison town in Finland.
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Beautifully restored with many of the original furnishings and personal effects, the wooden lodge perches above a series of rapids and you can almost picture the tsar fishing there without a care in the world. After falling in love with the natural beauty of the Kymijoki delta toward the end of the 19th century, the tsar ordered the construction of a lodge befitting Russia’s imperial family on the river at Langinkoski. Visit the imperial fishing lodge that Tsar Alexander III built on the outskirts of Kotka and then explore Hamina, a fortified town founded in 1653. As you meander about, the guide will describe Hamina’s turbulent history, including the 18th-century wars with nearby Russia and the aerial bombing that destroyed much of the town during World War II. It was rebuilt following a rare circular town plan with a star-shaped fortress at its center. The fortress town of Hamina will reveal much about the area’s military past, as it was fortified in the early 1700s after being destroyed in the Great Northern War. Another highlight is its baroque organ, the largest in Finland.
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In contrast, the 19th-century Kotka Church enchants through its neo-gothic architecture, which features extraordinary stained glass, rose windows and ornate pillars. A leisurely walk through Sappoka Water Garden will offer a delightful respite from the urban atmosphere, as the popular park is extraordinarily serene. Take in the natural and architectural beauty of Kotka before delving into Finland’s military history in Hamina, the country’s oldest garrison town.
The complex’s Maritime Museum of Finland is even more comprehensive, as it holds everything from nautical charts to underwater archaeological artifacts to full-size ships. Its Museum of Kymenlaakso focuses on cultural aspects and presents a history of the Coast Guard. Kotka’s most iconic building is the Maritime Centre Vellama, a complex of museums within a modern façade that resembles a massive wave that reflects the colors of the sea. While strolling through Sappoka Water Garden, you will soon realize the calming effect of its central waterfall and many ponds and brooks. The city is surrounded by water as it covers two islands in the Gulf of Finland at the mouth of the Kymijoki River. Get an authentic glimpse of life in Kotka by browsing attractions that highlight the influence of the sea.
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