What to see in Mikkeli? Attractions Mikkeli, our impressions Former stable near Mikkeli
The unsurpassed natural beauty of the lakes that surround the city, and the many cottages scattered along their shores, attract visitors from all over the world for many years. Mikkeli is located in the heart of the lake region, so there are a myriad of entertainment for numerous tourists who come here to relax and enjoy the local culture, and it is also a particularly popular place among families. Mikkeli received the title of “Cottage District of the Year” in 2006, as the endless shores of the lakes provide opportunities for relaxation in country houses, from which it is easy to reach the city center by boat or car.
The city appears in various cultural aspects and is the home of the Mikkeli Music Festival - the annual festival of classical music. Historically a former military garrison, Mikkeli was the center of hostilities under the command of Mannerheim during the Winter War and the Karelian Campaign in the 1940s. Accordingly, some of the best military museums are located here. Among them: the Infantry Museum, which mainly covers Finnish history since independence, in particular, the important role of infantry in this period; Headquarters Museum using modern technology to demonstrate the fighting of the Headquarters and the central events of World War II. Museum possessions were restored to their original pre-war condition. Also visit the Lokki Signaling Center and the Naisvuori observation post, which is possible with a single ticket for all four museums.
Everyone interested in this region should visit the Suur-Savo Museum, as here you will find more than 8,000 exhibits related to the history of Mikkeli and its environs. Art lovers can devote time to exploring the Salmela Art Center in the beautifully preserved village around the Mäntyharju Church. Exhibitions are held in the old hall of the parish church, dated 1850s, as well as in the old house of the priest, in the building of the post office and pharmacy. The exhibitions are connected by picturesque gardens decorated with sculptures. All buildings have been restored according to UNESCO's efforts to preserve their unique original atmosphere.
Among other famous attractions of the region you can see the monument to General Mannerheim in Mikkeli Square; Rapio Mill in Juva Marski’s Café on the market square, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from early May to late September; it is also worth seeing the priest’s house in Kenkävero, which is considered the largest and most beautiful building of this type in Finland, also due to the stunning nature around. You can enjoy your stay in Mikkeli all year round: from beautifully restored buildings, numerous events and exhibitions, to boutiques with exclusive handicrafts and souvenirs for sale. Directly opposite the magnificent cathedral, you will find the Mikkeli Art Museum, also known as the “Granite House”. This building, built in 1912, was designed by Armas Rankka. It houses a permanent exhibition of a collection of works by Martti Airio, which presents paintings by Finnish artists from the 1870s to the 1980s, furniture, oriental carpets and small pieces of art. Most of the work is done in the style of post-impressionism and expressionism.
One of the most popular family destinations in Finland is Visulahti, the country's largest water amusement park. There are sections such as "Dinosaur", with numerous slides, water cannons, fountains and pools; Xonpuisto with electric micro cars and motorbikes. Children and adults alike will be pleased with the choice of entertainment: bungee jumping and paintball, rodeo and spaceball bulls, giant swings and even the opportunity to participate in sumo wrestling! Visulahti also provides you with accommodation, camping and a first-class restaurant. The amusement park is open daily from June to August.
Everyone who is interested in the history of Europe will be delighted with the Astuvansalmi cave paintings dating back to 3800-2200 BC. These drawings were found on a steeply rising cliff on the shores of Lake Yovesi, 16 km from the Ristiina Church in southern Mikkeli. Of the 90 samples of rock paintings in Finland, Astuvansalmi drawings are rightfully considered the most extensive and diverse, not only within the country, but throughout Scandinavia. In a space 17 meters long and 5.5 meters high, ocher painted more than 80 different scenes, including figures of people, boats and moose along with the prints of the hands and feet of animals. The place can be reached by boat or on foot along a 3 km long trail.
Guests of Mikkeli can also visit seven beautiful estates, each of which offers something different. A little south of the city is the elegant Annilan Kartano, which is also a golf club. Anttolanhovi mansion and sanatorium nestled on the shores of Lake Saimaa in the historic village of Antolla, famous for the construction of barges, are 25 km away. To the west of Mikkeli Airport you will find the Kekkola Mansion, where you can enjoy saunas by the lake and fishing, playing tennis or horse riding. Kenkyavero is located a little more than a kilometer from the city center - the largest clergy house in Finland with its own restaurant, art gallery with exhibitions all year round, a folklore center and the largest designer boutique in the country selling Finnish handicrafts, clothes, accessories and delicacies. Located in the city on the shores of Lake Saimaa, Kyyhkylä is a private hotel and spa. Here you can take one of the historical tours or a daily cruise to picturesque places, play tennis or mini-golf. 7 km from Mikkeli in a beautiful place is the Tertti mansion with a cafe, restaurant and souvenir shop.
Near Mikkeli there are also two wineries; Ollinmäen Viinitila produces delicious Finnish berry and fruit wines, cider and liqueurs, and is only 18 km from the city. The Tyry winery is located further - 60 km from Mikkeli - and produces Finnish berry wines, liquors, wine distillates and mustard moonshine.
One of the oldest cities in Finland is Mikkeli, which is located on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Today, Mikkeli is a large tourist city, where thousands of tourists relax every year. Many attractions will not leave anyone indifferent. In addition, they are definitely worth a visit to feel the special atmosphere of the city. We recommend flying from here for a couple of days in Spain.
In South Savo, this provincial city has become an important transportation hub. Indeed, during the Second World War, Mikkeli was used as the headquarters, it was here that Marshal Mannerheim controlled the Finnish army. Today this story can be traced in numerous museums. By the way, the city was awarded the Order of the Cross of Liberty.
How to get to Mikkeli
Three kilometers from the central part of the city is Mikkeli Airport. Today, this airport accepts exclusively private planes and charter flights. Therefore, in general, you can get to the city by air, but at the same time you need to take care of airline tickets in advance.
Many Finnish cities have excellent bus connections to Mikkeli. The bus terminal is integrated with the railway station, so it is very convenient to get from the train to the bus and vice versa. Of course, the roads are well suited for traveling by car. The main thing is to prepare well for the road so that there are no problems.
Prices in shops and hotels
On Lake Saimaa there is an old mansion, which today is the Kyyhkyla Hotel, which is seven kilometers from the city center. For guests there are all amenities, for example, a gym, indoor pool and sauna. Very suitable for lovers of an active lifestyle. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, their cost is about 3,700 rubles.
Original Sokos Hotel is located near the market square and Mikkeli Train Station. The rooms have standard amenities as well as free Wi-Fi. The cost of one room is approximately 4400 rubles.
In 1800, a magnificent estate was built, which today is the Tertin Kartano Hotel. The rooms have beautiful garden views. In this place you can feel the charm of the old world with a combination of modern amenities. Despite the many advantages of this hotel, the cost of living is 3800 rubles.
In general, shopping in Mikkeli stores is no different from other cities in Finland. The cost of goods is quite acceptable, so it’s worthwhile to set aside a day to go shopping in the city. In addition, in many souvenir shops you can find unique gifts and souvenirs.
What to see in Mikkeli
Mikkeli is rich in many military museums. First of all, it’s worth going to the Mannerheim bunker museum, once this place served as the command center for the Finnish army. A ticket to the museum costs only four euros, and it works until five in the evening local time. In 1982, the Infantry Museum was founded, which is considered one of the largest military-themed museums in Finland. Three wooden huts accommodate the museum’s military exhibits, which consist of military tools, clothing and military vehicles. Of course, what a military museum without weapons: here are machine guns and mortars used in wartime.
Another famous attraction of the city are the cave paintings of Astuvansalmi. Experts believe that they are about three to four thousand years old. In Finland, these drawings are recognized as the best representatives of prehistoric cave art. On the cliff of the rock, these petroglyphs were depicted. If you came to see the famous cave paintings, then you can also visit the peasant museum-reserve, which consists of twenty houses. Experts believe that these houses were built in 1672, so this museum describes the peasant life of those times.
Monuments of architecture
The main square of Mikkeli is a landmark in the city, in the center of which is a monument to Marshal Mannerheim. Next to it is the famous Lutheran Cathedral, the construction of which was used red brick. His style is described as late Gothic. On weekends in the Cathedral you can hear the solemn official singing and the sounds of the organ.
The square is surrounded by hotels, offices, a large department store, banks, as well as the city hall. The monument of northern architecture is called the old covered market, which is located near the central square. On Saturdays, the square is filled with market rows.
The Nysvuri Observation Tower is an original architectural site, also located near the center. There is a cozy cafe on the top floor of the tower, so this is a great option for those who want to enjoy the picturesque view of the city with a cup of delicious coffee.
The delightful stone sacristy of Kivisakasti has a very mysterious history. Because no one can still name the exact date of construction and the age of the building. According to some assumptions, Kivisakasti is part of the destroyed Savilahti (church of the early 16th century).
Festival city
Mikkeli's convenient location allows it to be a tourist center that takes special care of its guests. Throughout the year, the city hosts a variety of festivals, exhibitions and concerts, as well as unusual excursions. The Finns themselves, along with foreigners, plunge into the active life of the city. No one will be bored. After all, often festivals continue until late at night, so after walking around local attractions, tourists spend their leisure time listening to beautiful music or watching an exciting performance. The city is transformed during the holidays, so you should take part in such events.
Mikkeli (Fin. - Mikkeli, Swiss. - Sankt Michel) is another Finnish city founded by Russian tsars. Founded by Nicholas I in 1838 and named after the Archangel Michael. By the way, the foundation of the Russian Tsar is not the only connection between Mikkeli and Russia: now Mikkeli is a twin city of two Russian cities - St. Petersburg and Olonets. The city of Mikkeli has a rich military history: during the civil war in 1918, the headquarters of the White Army was created in Mikkeli, and during the Second World War, the main headquarters of the Finnish armed forces was located in Mikkeli under the command of Marshal Mannerheim.
Mikkeli is located about 90 kilometers northwest of the cities famous for Russian tourists. The population of Mikkeli is about 50 thousand people, one of the twenty largest cities in Finland. In general, Mikkeli is not a very tourist city, just a cozy and comfortable Finnish city, which was nice to walk around. And there is also an observation tower, from which in summer you can see the city from above.
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6. On the west side of the square is a monument to Marshal Mannerheim. During the Second World War, Mikkeli was the headquarters of the Finnish Armed Forces, commanded by Mannerheim.
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16. On the way to the tower, they passed a building with the remarkably long name "Mikkelintelefooniyhdistys". An explanatory tablet on it explained what it is: "Vuonna 1888 perustetun Mikkelin Puhelinyhdistyksen ensimmäinen toimitalo valmistui tälle paikalle 12.9.1903." I am not strong in Finnish, but it is approximately clear that by 1903 a city telephone network was launched in this place.
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17. Another house on the way to the turret. Slightly crumbling plaster caught my eye. By Russian standards - a great looking house, but by Finnish standards it is very messy, it immediately catches the eye against the general background of urban views.
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20. Looking ahead, I’ll say that I had to look and take photographs through these shiny windows under the roof itself, and the roof was a visor that interferes with wide-angle shooting, and under the windows the tower was expanding, which made it difficult to look and take pictures down, but despite this, it’s so good happened. Along the way, my trained eye immediately snatched out a large number of GSM antennas, not only on the mast above the roof, but also along the walls of the tower. Probably one of the local macro cells. But in Finnish cities, these antennas are located on almost every house or pillar, so we don’t have enough strength to monitor them, just by the way we had to :-).
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27. I looked at some neighboring houses with a large increase. I really like the decor of balconies in residential buildings: flowers, small tables, lounge chairs. I want to do something like that at home on a megabalcon :-).
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29. Passed again along Raatihuoneenkatu past the town hall towards the station; this is its intersection with Porrassalmenkatu, passing by the square on the east side; on this side are business buildings.
Mikkeli Cathedral (Fin. Mikkelin tuomiokirkko) is the main church of the diocese of Mikkeli, located in the city of Mikkeli, South Savo, Finland.
The design of the church was created by the outstanding Finnish architect Joseph Stenbeck. The building was built in the years 1896-1897 in the Neo-Gothic style (like many other churches designed by Stanbek). The main building material is red brick. The bell tower is located in the western pediment of the church. The church has 1,200 places.
The altar painting “The Crucifixion” was created in 1899 by Pekka Halonen.
The organ was built in 1956 at the organ factory in Kangasala and has 51 registers.
Mäntyharju parish
Mäntyharju is a developing rural municipality located in the province of Eastern Finland, on the border with Savo. The current inhabitants of the region are the indigenous inhabitants of the province of Savo.
Currently, about 7 thousand people live in a busy region, the territory of Mäntyharju is 1210 square kilometers, of which about 230 square kilometers is the water area. On the coastline, the length of which is 520 kilometers, more than 4 thousand country houses have been built. The density of the villas is about three per kilometer of coastal zone. The population density in Mäntyharju is 6 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The village has a well-developed infrastructure, the cultural community offers local residents and visitors good conditions for leisure, business and living. There are restaurants, grocery stores, shopping pavilions, a clinic and banks in the volost. The activities of the municipality are subordinate to democracy, and the townspeople are actively involved in the life of Mäntyharju.
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XON Extreme Adventure Park
XON Extreme Amusement Park, located in the Finnish city of Mikkeli, offers extreme attractions for every taste.
In the park you can fly up to a height of 35 meters on a catapult, ride in a transparent ball 3 meters in diameter called Zorbing, take a jump into the 40-meter abyss on the Bengi attraction.
For those who prefer a less extreme pastime, the park offers a boat trip, a game of paintball, a safari on ATVs.
In winter, the park moves north to the city of Tornimäki, where visitors are offered winter activities.
The Infantry Museum was founded in 1982. It contains a rich collection of items belonging to the infantry, as well as information on the activities and development of the infantry units of the army from the beginning of the XVIII century. Up to the present day.
The Infantry Museum is housed in two old buildings on the territory of the old Finnish barracks. The exhibition area of \u200b\u200b2000 square meters is filled with a wide variety of exhibits. Here you can see both military equipment and household items of infantrymen. In addition, the exposition is complemented by a collection of 150 photographs of soldiers awarded the Mannerheim Crosses and medals. The exhibition tells visitors of the museum about the military life of infantry soldiers, about their work at training sites and about life in peacetime.
Artifacts for the collection were donated mainly by individuals. In addition, the museum has items borrowed from the War Museum. On the whole, the exposition presents a comprehensive picture of the history of infantry in Finland - this is its uniqueness.
An inexpensive cafe and a souvenir shop full of memorabilia and wonders work for visitors to the Infantry Museum.
Ristiina
Ristiina is a small village located near the city of Mikkeli, Finland. The main attraction of the village is the church, built in 1775 and decorated with rich murals. In the church you can see portraits of Cristina Katharina Brahe and Count Brahe.
Count couple Brahe dedicated park in the village and many romantic places. Near the village you can see the remains of the destroyed Swedish fortress Ristiina. On Lake Saimaa, located near Ristiina, a rich salmon population, local residents and guests fish.
Hasa Ski Resort
Hasa Ski Center is located in Eastern Finland, in the Mikkeli region, near the village of Juva.
It offers a variety of winter activities for every taste. There are 4 slopes in Hasa, on one of which there is a snowpark focused exclusively on experienced snowboarders. The height difference in the resort is about 65 meters, the length of the slopes is 230-430 meters. The latter is served by a tow-lift. The length of the slopes for flat skis is about 300 kilometers, of which 70 kilometers are illuminated.
It should be noted that on the territory of the ski center of Khas there is a specialized school where you can get and improve your skiing skills. The Hasa Center is primarily focused on serving snowboarders and families with children. There is enough space for children to learn the basics of skiing safely.
There is a rental of equipment, you can hire an instructor. From entertainment: snowshoeing, snowmobile safaris, ice fishing.
Mikkeli Central Square
The city of Mikkeli is located on the shores of Lake Saimaa. This city with its own character and its own characteristics. It is a major tourist destination. Tourists see picturesque landscapes, enchanting lakes, crowns of huge trees in which the wind walks, as well as cute forest animals. In the city, each street with its own history.
It was by decree of Emperor Nicholas I in 1838 that Mikkeli received the status of a city, the population at that time amounted to only 43 people. Mikkeli is not like any other city in Finland. Its streets run parallel and perpendicular to each other from the Central Square. The central square is one of the most striking sights of Mikkeli.
In the center of the square is a monument to Mannerheim, gracefully riding a horse. The City Hall, financial institutions and various offices look at the Central Square, as well as a large department store. On Saturday, you can visit the open market with its noisy and cheerful atmosphere. Also, do not go past an old building in the style of northern Art Nouveau. This is an indoor market.
And of course, it is impossible not to notice the famous Cathedral, he perched here very close by. The cathedral was built in the neo-Gothic style of red brick in 1897. If you want to attend the service, then come to the Cathedral on Sunday morning. The square is filled with the sounds of a church choir accompanied by an organ. A solemn service takes place in the Cathedral.
Mannerheim Headquarters Museum
The Mannerheim Main Headquarters Museum is dedicated to the civilian life of 1939-1944 and the military operations that were carried out at that time under the command of Marshal Mannerheim.
In 1974, the office of this military-serving army was opened at the central elementary school for general visits. This place was chosen for good reason. Indeed, in 1939, it was here that the headquarters were based after moving from the city of Helsinki. Then, in 1989, the Mannerheim Main Headquarters Museum was opened in a separate room. Thanks to the Finnish Ministry of Education and the EU Regional Development Fund, an updated and more detailed exhibition was opened in the museum in 2001.
Here you can fully track the progress of military operations, the civil life of that time. This museum is an attraction of a small town in Finland - the city of Mikkeli.
The most popular attractions in Mikkeli with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous Mikkeli places on our website.
More attractions of Mikkeli
The city of Mikkeli is recognized as one of the oldest cities in Finland, which is located on the shores of Lake Saimaa. The patron saint of the city is the archangel Michael. It was in honor of its patron that the city of Mikkeli gained its name. The local population received city rights only in 1838 by decree of Tsar Nicholas, and the first settlements in this territory were recorded in the 12th century. At the moment, the city of Mikkeli is considered a major tourist center, in which valuable sights are concentrated.
Cathedral
In the city of Mikkeli there is a beautiful Cathedral, made in the Neo-Gothic style, designed by the famous architect Joseph Steinbeck. The cathedral building features red brick trim and a tiled roof. This attraction was built in 1896 and can accommodate about 1,200 visitors. In the 20th century, a high bell tower was added to the cathedral, and a magnificent organ was purchased for the service. In the eastern part of the Cathedral is a large altar, which depicts the scene of the crucifixion of Christ. At the moment, the Cathedral is open to guests and residents of the city.
Suur Savo Museum
This cultural and historical museum in the city of Mikkeli has about 8,000 expositions that reveal the multifaceted history, features of life and cultural traditions of the region. The Suur-Savo Museum is constantly updated with new exhibits and systematically organizes interesting thematic exhibitions for guests and local residents.
Saloon Mannerheim
The famous saloon car was built in 1930 and was used for trips of the famous marshal. This attraction includes a lounge, five bedrooms, a kitchen and a toilet. The commander in chief in this car made more than a hundred trips. Today, the saloon car is open to visitors only on Mannerheim’s birthday - June 4.
Naysvuori Observation Tower
In the center of Mikkeli on a hill, there is a 40-meter-high Naysvuori observation tower. This attraction is located at the highest point of the city. Locals call the hill "Women's Mountain", because during the Russo-Finnish war, women from the hill watched the battles. Naysvuori Tower is decorated with white stone in the style of the 30s of the 20th century, and also has an operating observation deck. Using optical technology, you can see all the sights of the city. On the hill in early June, a fun children's festival is held, which is accompanied by songs, theatrical performances and dances.
Mikkeli Art Museum
In the central part of the city is the Art Museum, designed by Armas Ranka. Most of the exhibits in the museum belong to the famous post-impressionists. In addition to paintings in the walls of this attraction, famous sculptures, small objects of art, antique furniture and oriental carpets are exhibited.
Loki Communication Center
In the caves of Naysvuori, the most unique landmark of the Second World War is located - the Loki communications center, which was responsible for telephone communications and for the communication lines of the Army’s Main Headquarters. The staff of the center included about 130 people. There was also a surveillance center, a German communications center and recreation facilities. Today, the museum features telephones, call stations, weapons, radio equipment and equipment of Finnish army soldiers.
Kenkyavero Manor Museum
On the shore of a picturesque lake is a museum-estate of the parish priest, which was built in the 15th century. This estate has been a center of spiritual life for local residents for a long period of time. Today, within the walls of this attraction, thematic exhibitions of local crafts and art are presented. At the estate there is a garden in which more than 500 species of flowering plants grow.
Village Parish Church
In the western part of Mikkeli is the village parish church, which is a large wooden building with a capacity of about 2000 people. This city landmark is recognized as the third largest church in Finland. The building was erected in 1817 in accordance with all the religious characteristics of Finland. The facade of the building, the altar with the image of the crucifixion of Christ, as well as the bells cast in 1752, are preserved in the church in its original form.
Museum of Infantry Troops
In 1982, in Mikkeli, on the territory of the old barracks, the Museum of the Infantry Forces was opened, which contains a valuable collection of personal items of infantry, information on the history and development of infantry units of the army from the beginning of the 18th century to the present day. Museum expositions are located in two buildings. In addition, the museum presents photographs of soldiers who were awarded medals, as well as military equipment.
Mannerheim General Headquarters Museum
In 2001, the famous Museum of the Main Headquarters of Mannerheim opened its doors to visitors. Within the walls of the city's landmarks are collected expositions that reveal the main events of the war years, the features of the Main Headquarters, as well as the history of the city.
