IMATRAregionFINLAND

IMATRARUOKOLAHTIRAUTJÄRVI

Free – take one along!

2014–2015

IMATRAImatra has approximately 28,000 inhabitants; it was estab-lished in 1948 after World War II from parts of three different municipalities. The River Vuoksi, which has the largest water discharge in Finland, offers excellent opportunities for fishing around the year. It also remains almost completely free of ice throughout the year. The River Vuoksi is surrounded by the most beautiful jogging and bicycle routes in Finland, and on its banks, you can spot dozens of different species of birds. In the west, Imatra is bounded by Lake Saimaa, on which you can take a boat via the Saimaa Canal all the way to the Gulf of Finland.

RUOKOLAHTIRuokolahti, established over 440 years ago, is one of the largest municipalities in South Karelia. When the Imatra region was a part of Ruokolahti, the Imatrankoski rapids were the most well-known site of natural beauty and tourist attraction in Ruokolah-ti. The Karelian way of life in the municipality of 5,600 inhabit-ants, along with the modern-day legends about a lion that was rumoured to roam around the area in the summer of 1992, are still going strong. You may not catch a glimpse of the mythical lion in Ruokolahti, but the nature will still provide many won-derful things to see there. The Lake Saimaa as well as more than 500 lakes and ponds and a diverse fauna with bears and wolves create an opportunity for people to go truly back to their roots.

RAUTJÄRVIThe municipality of Rautjärvi combined the areas of Rautjärvi and Simpele when it was established in 1973. Today, the mu-nicipality has 3,700 inhabitants and many people coming to stay for the summer, who all enjoy the variety of services in the two villages, Simpele and Asemanseutu. The forest industry has strong traditions in the municipality, and River Hiitolanjoki is the birthplace of the local forest industry. Today, River Hiitolan-joki and its old power plants, scenic paths and fishing opportu-nities are a destination that is worth the visit. River Hiitolanjoki is also the most important river for the spawning of the wild salmon in Lake Ladoga. The stunning nature in Rautjärvi offers many other wonderful experiences for the tourist, too, such as the Haukkavuori hill, the highest peak in South Karelia, which is a popular a viewing point and a hiking destination for the whole family.

FINLAND

To the airport25 min to Lappeenranta125 km to Savonlinna

256 km to Helsinki210 km to St. Petersburg

2 h 21 min to Helsinki

IMATRA

RAUTJÄRVIRUOKOLAHTI

HELSINKI ST. PETERSBURG

MOSCOW

TALLINNSTOCKHOLM

7 km to Svetogorsk

The wonderful Imatra regionLake Saimaa history architecture sights the eastern border

Events and things to doculture events natural attractions activities

Exercise and well-beingUkonniemi sports well-being services

Food and drinkImatra Ruokolahti Rautjärvi

Shopping and servicesshopping locations and service areas

Accommodationshotels cottages camping

For familiesspas Hiisi AngryBirds

37,349LOCAL

100%HAPPY SOUTH KARELIANS

2,500,000tourists in 2013

3 spas

The eastern border of the EU

1 Lake Saimaa

Imatrankoski rapids a touristattraction for over

300 years

litres of water per second

540the largest river in Finland

This brochure is produced by the Imatra Region Development Company, the City of Imatra and Imitsi. Photographs: Imatra Region Development Company, the City of Imatra, GoSaimaa, Mainostoimisto Dominus, Susan Lankinen

In the times of the Russian Empire, there were as many as fourteen trains bringing tourists from St. Petersburg every day to enjoy the sights in the Imatra area. The roar-ing rapids and their opportunities for fishing attracted both Russian aristocrats and English lords, as well as Finnish artists and other people from the cultural circles.

The guests received the most lux-urious welcome at the Grand Hô-tel Cascade d'Imatra, the Valtion-hotelli (State Hotel), which was completed in 1903, but the area also had many other resplendent mansions and palaces.

The mighty Imatrankoski rapids ran free until 1929, when the 24 metre falls of Imatra were har-

nessed to produce electricity and support the growth of industry. In addition to the forest and metal industries, tourism has once again become a positive factor in the development of the Imatra region.

The international border crossing point at Imatra was opened in 2002, and the number of people crossing the border has increased ever since. In 2013, more than two million people crossed the border.

From Imatra, there are only a few kilometres to the neighbouring city of Svetogorsk, and the trip to St. Petersburg is not long, either. Often people come to the diverse Imatra region from Russia to enjoy a vacation or go shopping.

The wonderful Imatra region

INTO THE BLUE OF LAKE SAIMAAin the roaring rapids

“None can match the mighty Vuoksi Nothing could surpass Imatra.”

Kalevala

The wonders of the Imatra region

On the banks of River Vuoksi, you can sense the important geological past of the Saimaa region. During the Ice Age, enormous ice sheets up to three kilometres thick pressed down the surface of the earth. In front of the melting edge of ice, the imposing eskers of both of the Salpausselkä ridge systems were born; they are the only geological forma-tions in Finland visible from space. The birth of River Vuoksi approximately 5,700 years ago was an awe-inspiring natural spectacle, where the earth freed from under the weight of ice rose slowly, tipping Lake Saimaa towards the Salpausselkä ridge until the ridge broke. Lake Saimaa rushed onto dry ground in wide rapids.

The old riverbed of the Imatrankoski rapids and its banks, which have great importance regarding natural history, were protected in 1842 as the Kruununpuisto Park, the first nature reserve in Finland. There, on top of the ancient bed of River Vuoksi, you can see the rare river potholes that tell their stories about the birth of River Vuoksi. The park area features several gazebos and spots for admiring the scenic views. The Kruununpuisto Park is a popular recreation area and one of the 27 Finnish national landscapes.

Come and enjoy a cruise on Lake Saimaa or River Vuoksi, boating, fishing, crossing the Imatrankoski rapids on a zip line, floating or paragliding, and delight in the genuine South Karelian way of life!

The architect Alvar Aalto has designed several buildings in Imatra, in addition to the city plan of Imatra. The Church of the Three Crosses, situated in the city district of Vuoksenniska, is the most famous of them.

The church, located in Honkakangas, de-signed in functionalist style and painted white with an arched roof, is one of the most notable modern Finnish churches. Other churches in Imatra include the Tain-ionkoski main church as well as the Ima-

trankoski church. In addition, the Church of St. Nicholas, the only Orthodox church in the area, can be found in Imatra.

You can also go visit the beautiful wooden churches in Ruokolahti and Rautjärvi. In addition to the church completed in 1854 on the banks of Lake Saimaa, there is an old bell tower from 1752 with a shingle roof on the Church Hill in Ruokolahti. The bell tower, built by the carpenter Tuomas Suikkanen, is considered a jewel of Finn-ish ecclesiastic architecture.

In Rautjärvi, there is a wooden cruciform church from 1881 located in Miettilä, and the main church of the Rautjärvi parish, located in Simpele, was consecrated in 1933. The church windows are adorned by stained glass by the artist Mikko Vuo-rinen. The stained glass of the main win-dows depicts symbols of the area, and the artist has placed 14 Christian symbols in the lower windows.

The wonderful Imatra region

“Women of Ruokolahti on the Church Hill” is one of the greatest works of the famous Finnish artist Albert Edelfelt. When the painting started its exhibition tour in the great artistic centres around Europe, it was received by unprecedent-ed attention and admiration. Edelfelt made sketches for the painting after his visit to Ruokolahti in 1887.

In addition to the Church Hill, the histori-cally significant landscapes in Ruokolah-ti include the canals of Kutvele, Käyh-kää and Kukonharju constructed in the 1700s by the Russian Count Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, as well as the Salpa Line constructed during Wold War II to defend the eastern border.

The wonders of the Imatra region

On the Haukkavuori hill on the border of Rautjärvi and Ruokolahti, you can see the landmark from 1722 marking the border drawn in the Treaty of Nystad (1721). The scenic path constructed between the two power plants in River Hiitolanjoki, Ritakoski and Lahnasenkoski, is a site with both natural and industrial as well as cultural and historical significance.

The old border municipality of Rautjärvi has many monuments of the demarca-tion of borders during different centu-ries. In fact, five different state borders have passed through the municipality of Rautjärvi throughout the centuries.

Koskenparras, one of the most pleasant pedestrian streets in Finland, is located near the Ima-trankoski rapids. During the sum-mer, it is full of different kinds of events and happy people.

During the international Black and White Theatre Festival in May, you can meet silly, funny theatrical characters in Koskenparras, and after Midsummer, the Imatra Big Band Festival fills the city with live music.

From Midsummer to August, the Imatrankoski rapids are allowed to roar freely every day for the amaze-ment of people of all ages. The Ima-tra Express zip line brings extra ex-citement to the rapids show, when the bravest dare to cross the rapids upside down on the zip line!

Events and things to do

The summer of Imatra culminates with

the BB week

FEEL THE FAMOUS IMATRA SPIRIT!

Plenty of opportunities

Events and things to do

Friends of motor sports know Imatra by its legendary Imatranajo race. The Memories of Imatranajo exhibition race is still organised every two years on the old street circuit.

Over four thousand collectors and admirers of beautiful old objects get a special treat at the annual Simpele Antiques and Col-lectors’ Fair in Rautjärvi. The Summer Fair, which offers many different types of pro-gramme for the whole family, has become an important summer event in Simpele over the years, and it is a part of the Cultural Events Week in Rautjärvi.

The Ruokolahti market is an active place for events and meetings, where you can see many kinds of shows during the summer. You can spend a summer evening en-joying music and dancing at the dance hall in Suikkala, located in a place of natural beauty right at the shore of Lake Saimaa. You can buy craft products, baked goods and organic products from Ruokolahti directly from the farms in the Äitsaari tour, organ-ised annually. During the day, you have the chance to learn about life in the countryside and its of-ferings in beautiful scenery.

Plenty of opportunities

The Imatra Big Band Festival has already livened up the festival scene in Finland for over 30 years from the end of June to the beginning of July every year. The BB Club tent set up annually in the Inkerinaukio square in the centre of Imatra acts as the main festival site. The week offers several concerts both at the BB Club and the BB Street, as well as in parks and restaurants all over Imatra. There are also free concerts in addition to the concerts with tickets.

The musical offering at the festival consists of both Finnish and foreign performers. The diverse programme offers jazz, swing, blues and big band music, not to forget the latest pop and rock music of today.

The event has approximately 50,000 visitors each year, and it offers a supplementary programme for friends of music of all ages.

Events and things to do

Floating in dry suits in River Vuoksi or Lake Saimaa, offered by local companies organising various activities, is a wonderful, relaxing ex-perience both on a hot summer day or in the middle of freezing win-ter. You will stay warm in the dry suit, so you can simply enjoy the water around you while you float for as long as a kilometre, thanks to the safety equipment and the expertise of the staff monitoring the floaters.

You can also find exhilarating experiences on Lake Saimaa by rising up to one hundred metres when parasailing with a parasail towed after a boat. Water SkiZoo even makes sure that the flier's feet will not get wet when ascending to fly or descending with a winch from the rear deck of the boat. From the air, the beautiful nature of Lake Saimaa will be unforgettable!

Learn more about the plentiful and diverse events available in the area at the address tapahtumat.ekarjala.fi

Plenty of opportunitiesTheatre Imatra gives amazing performances every year, both on the stage of the theatre building and in the open air summer theatre. The Kruununpuisto open air summer theatre on the banks of River Vuoksi next to the Valtionhotelli (State Hotel) offers a show surrounded by the scenery full of natural beauty. The open air summer theatre's covered auditorium that seats over 500 people will keep you dry even in rainy weather. You can also enjoy plays at various amateur theatres in Imatra, Ruokolahti and Rautjärvi, where you can find several open air summer theatre performances annually.

The Cultural Centre Virta located on the banks of River Vuoksi offers an extensive cultural package: the library and its services, the Art Museum and its exhibitions of high quality, the museum that tells about the history of the city, and the Karelia and Ka-leva halls suitable for concerts and conferences. The beautiful white Cultural Centre Virta, designed by architect Arto Sipinen and constructed out of silica sand and Imatra granite, hosts events around the year.

The diverse cultural life in Imatra offers experiences suitable for different tastes. Since 2001, in August Imatra has celebrated the Vanhassa vara parempi (The Good Old Days) music festival. Over the years, almost all of the most famous Finnish performers of old music have performed at the festival. Friends of classical music are in for a treat at the Konserttihovi concert hall located in rural Imatra. The most highly appreciated classical musicians in Finland return year after year to perform at the Konserttihovi with its excellent acoustics.

AtreenalinTiuruniementie 84 www.atreenalin.fitel. +358 40 035 4795 The Atreenalin Adventure Park Saimaa is an exciting experience in the nature for people of all ages! Will you dare to climb up to terrifying heights and balance on top of swinging obstacles? Come and challenge yourself and your friends at the Atreenalin Adventure Park!

South Karelian Founda-tion for Recreation Areaswww.ekvas.fi Pack a snack and go on a hike in the nature of South Karelia! A hiker enjoys the peaceful nature and leaves no trace in the terrain or at the places visited. Storytelling around a fire is Finnish wilderness tradition at its best.

Ukonniemi is the new centre of sports tourism

Exercise and well-being

The Imatra Spa Areena ice stadium with two rinks that was completed in 2011 offers a wonderful setting for sports on ice in Imatra. In addition to the sports played in a rink, the ice sta-dium offers a gym and curling equip-ment, as well as café and restaurant services.

The tennis hall next to the ice stadium makes it possible to play regardless of the weather! The hall is available for all tennis and badminton players.

The Imatra sports hall with its swim-ming pool and bowling alley, the

new Ruokolahti sports hall and its variety of indoor sports, fitness and gym services, as well as the modern sports hall in Asemanseutu, Rautjär-vi, guarantee that people of all ages have the opportunity to exercise and feel good.

The outdoor routes that follow the banks of River Vuoksi have been called the most beautiful in Finland, with full justification. A run along Riv-er Vuoksi offers stunning scenery and many delightful experiences.

FOR WINNERS!a base for sports and well-beingThe stunning nature and high quality sports halls in the Imatra region offer plenty of opportunities for sports and outdoor exercise around the year. The new Aviasport Areena is the largest indoor ex-ercise hall in South-East Finland. The hall offers excellent facilities especially for the winter exercise and competitions in summer sports; it contains a full-size football field, pesäpallo (Finnish baseball) fields for women and men, athletics areas, and a track that goes around the hall. The facilities are also suitable for organising different types of events from dog shows to football tournaments, as well as practising golf even in the winter.

Moving makes you feel good

In the Imatra region, you can choose from different hiking routes in every season! The easiest way to start planning a trip is to visit the website of the South Karelian Foundation for Recreation Areas, where you can find a comprehensive introduction to the routes in the Imatra region for hiking, riding a bicycle or canoeing. A boater can find charming harbours to stop in during a trip on Lake Saimaa. www.ekarjala.fi/retkeily

In addition to the tradi-tional types of exercise, you can also find wild and unusual activities in the area. The Atreenalin Adventure Park is an un-forgettable experience for people of all ages! The five routes in the park are designed and built in an environmen-tally friendly way deep in the forest, some a bit lower and some at diz-zying heights. Players of Frisbee golf can find sev-eral well-tended courses in Imatra, for example in Ukonniemi and around the Imatra sports hall.

In the Imatra region, you can play golf at the best locations possible: the shores of Lake Immalanjärvi, as well as the brand new golf course at Holiday Club Saimaa Golf, which was completed in time for the summer of 2013. Both of the 18 hole courses are skilfully designed to provide both enough challenges and successes.

Exercise and well-being

Saimaa Adventures spoils active tourists with its diverse weekly pro-gramme, both in the summer and in the winter. During the winter, the ice of Lake Saimaa shows its best features to ice fishers and Nordic tour skaters. You can always strap on snow shoes or hop on an ATV or a snow mobile and go on a safari. In the summer, fishing trips, canoeing, water-skiing and jet-skiing as well as rides on banana boats are very pop-ular.

Moving makes you feel goodImatra GolfGolftie 11www.imatrangolf.fitel. +358 20 743 9350 Welcome to play golf or simplyto enjoy a summer day, the breathtakingviews of Lake Immalanjärvi and the deli-cacies offered by the Golf Restaurant and café.

Drop by to visit our summer terrace!

Base camp

Karelian hot pot, fish and pasties

Restaurants and cafés

In addition to various kinds of fish served as appetisers and tytinä, a type of brawn, a Karelian feast has traditionally included the Karelian hot pot as the most famous main dish, as well as various casseroles such as swede, carrot and macaroni cas-seroles. Pasties with egg butter are some-thing that must be enjoyed, either with a meal or by themselves.

Fish has always been an important part of the Karelian diet. Hot smoking fish in a closed metal barrel was originally adopted from Karelian fishermen. Lake Saimaa, Riv-er Vuoksi, River Hiitolanjoki and countless other small lakes and ponds in the Imatra region are very popular with fishers. Salm-on, perch and vendace have been the most

common fish eaten already for over sever-al centuries. The Imatra region has several fishmongers and fish restaurants, where everyone can find a catch of fresh fish or a delicious meal with fish served ready on your plate. You can also take fish home in many forms!

A wide selection of the harvest from farm-ers in the Imatra region is offered both at the markets and the grocery shops in the area. In the market, you can also find the seasonal harvest from the forests, such as berries and mushrooms. Local produce is also used widely in the restaurants of the region.

The café culture has come to the area to

stay. In the lovely cafés along the pedestri-an street Koskenparras and the Koskentori market in Imatra, you can enjoy both the products of local bakeries as well as inter-national specialities.

In South Karelia, it is believed that food brings people together. The culinary so-ciety established by the Saimaa Tourism Academy and the local chefs both cher-ishes and modernises the South Karelian cuisine.

In South Karelia, guests are welcomed with open arms, entertained lavishly, and given some local flat bread or a Vyborg pretzel to take home with them!

THE KARELIAN CUSINEand other delicacies

The cuisine of South Karelia in the Imatra region is strongly based on the Karelian cuisine. Even though the ingredients, spices and cooking methods have changed, our cuisine still has its local characteristics and specialities.

Typical traditional South Karelian foods are Karelian hot pot and Karelian pasties in rye dough. Each area and even village has its own traditional dish. Examples of the unique cuisine of today include dishes such as the Atomi (atom) and Vety (hydrogen) pies, originally from Lappeenranta but also sold at kiosks in Imatra, as well as sturgeon from the River Vuoksi.

Eat your fill

Restaurants and cafésIMATRA

RestaurantsButtenhoff, Koskenparras 4Rosso, Koskenparras 1 Restaurant Kastanja, Imatra Kylpylä Spa, Purjekuja 1Imatra Bistro, Koskenparras 3 Lounas ja Pitopalvelu Haakana (lunch and catering service), Lappeentie 12LinnaSali, Spa Hotel Rantasipi Imatran Valtionhotelli, Torkkelinkatu 2Amanda, Hotel Vuoksenhovi, Siitolankatu 1Mulligan, Golfitie 18ABC Imatra, buffet and à la carte, Tiedonkatu 12Restaurant & Café Asema, Koskikatu 1Pistaasi, Imatra Kylpylä Spa, Purjekuja 1 Le Biff, Holiday Club Saimaa, Rauhanrinne 1Easy Kitchen, Holiday Club Saimaa, Rauhanrinne 1O´Learys, Holiday Club Saimaa, Rauhanrinne 1Restaurant Rauhanranta, Alminraitti 13Seafood Restaurant Section Seven, Alminraitti 6Restaurant Kulmahuone, Lappeentie 18 Xiang Fu, Tainionkoskentie 10Neitsytniemi Manor, Vuoksenniskantie 10 Open by reservation onlyCafé-Restaurant Pifferia, Prisma, Karhumäenkatu 6Wanha Virveli, Vuoksi Fishing Park, Kotipolku 4Neste Oil Imatra Korvenkanta, Korvenkannantie 71Café and restaurant Pikku Pietari, Asematie 14Lunch restaurant Ararat, Hotel and restaurant Kulkuripoika, Asematie 4Karjalan Portti, Harmaakalliontie 1 (by reservation only)

Fast foodMcDonalds, Tainionkoskentie 5Hesburger, Karhumäenkatu 6, Tiedonkatu 12 and ValvatinkatuSibylla, Neste Motorest, Korvenkannantie 71Scanburger Neste, Imatrankoskentie 22 and Tiilitehtaankatu 3955 Burger, Tietäjänkatu 2Havanna Kebab & Pizza, Lappeentie 12Euro Kebab & Pizza , Tainionkoskentie 6Restaurant Steakhouse Kebab Pizzeria, Koskenparras 7 Dara Kebab & Pizza, Vuoksenniskantie 68Subway, Citymarket, Tietäjänkatu 2Didem Kebab & Pizza , Tainionkoskentie 68Pizza Kebab Stera, Mansikankuja 2Kotipizza, Imatrankoskentie 22, Tietäjänkatu 2 and Tiilitehtaankatu 39Koskentorin Seven Grilli, Koskentori 3CMansikkalan Seven Grilli, Kauppalakuja 3

Rosso ImatraKoskenparras 1www.rosso.fitel. +358 10 76 21410 Rosso is a popular place for meeting and socialising for families with chil-dren and groups of friends. The Finn-ish-Italian menu has plenty of options to choose from, so you can always find the right meal and drink for satisfying hunger or enjoying a light snack.

Relax into the summer at Ruokolahti Fresh food at the market! Summer market at Ruokolahti on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Rasila. Sellers can reserve a place at www.katariinankah-vitupa.fi Pork parties and youth activities! Ruokolahti Summer Fair on the last weekend of July, as well as many other summer events: www.ruokolahti.fi Dancing the night away! Summer dances at the Suikkala dance hall: www.tanssi.net/fi/p/5c.html The history of the parish of women! Ruokolahti local museum:www.ruokolahti-seura.fi/museo.html

Rural Archipelago

Eat your fillCafésBar&Café Kuohu, Imatrankoskentie 1Caffè Prego, Napinkuja 2Café Julia, Koskenparras 4Konditoria Imatrankoski (confectionery), Koskenparras 8Café Elegant, Lappeentie 11Kukka Aarteet ja Kahvio (florist and café), Tainionkoskentie 6 Osmo’s Café, Koskenparras 5Café Bar Helmi, Valtionhotelli, Torkkelinkatu 2Kakku-Kulma, Koskikatu 1Café Paussi, Cultural Centre Virta, Virastokatu 1Akseli G, Imatra Kylpylä Spa, Purjekuja 1Angry Birds Café, Vipelentie 3-5Ässä Café S-Market, ValvatinkatuKonditoria Miilia (confectionery), Vuoksenniskantie 70Café Pähkinäpuu, Imatran Varaosakeskus, Tainionkoskentie 78Kolme Ankkuria, Lammassaarentie 11Karjalan Portti, Harmaakalliontie 1Lounaskahvila Kotileipomo Elma (lunch café and home bakery, Anjankuja 1

PubsBar&Café Kuohu, Imatrankoskentie 1Jesper's, Koskenparras 3Vuoksenvahti, Koskenparras 5Bar Q, Jukankatu 5Street Café, Jukankatu 1Kartanon Krouvi, Hotel Vuoksenhovi, Siitolankatu 1Startti Pub, Ensontie 33 Restaurant Mocambo, Sienimäenkatu 1Lobby Bar Helmi, Imatra Kylpylä Spa, Purjekuja 1Sieppari-Pub, Joutsenonkatu 55Bad Bird Bar, Kauppakeskus Capri, Vipelentie 3-5Kenguru, Vuoksenniskantie 50-52Kantapaikka, Vuoksenniskantie 83Kankaan Kievari, Kaukopäänkatu 8Raution Kulma, Niskapietiläntie 17

Restaurants with dancing, night clubs Club G, Helsingintie 1Osmo's Cosmos Bar, Koskenparras 5Restaurant Teatteri, Jukankatu 5Club Tähtitaivas, Imatra Kylpylä Spa, Purjekuja 1LinnaKlubi, Spa Hotel Rantasipi Imatran Valtionhotelli, Torkkelinkatu 2

RUOKOLAHTI

Restaurant Rantalinna, Rantalinnantie 127Open by reservation onlyLounaskahvila Tracyn Herkut (lunch café), Lammintie 1 Restaurant Alppimaja, Rasilantie 57 Restaurant Repan Riihi, Ukonlammintie 2Restaurant Elfan, Liisanpolku 1 Lounaskahvila Neste Ruokolahti (lunch café), Pikettivuorentie 1Lohela, Karjalantie 378 Restaurant Kauppakasino, Puumalantie 967 Kyläkuppila Käpälämäki, Pohjalankilantie 1888Maaseutupuoti Katariinan Kahvitupa (countryside shop and café), Nällisuontie 3Kalastuspuisto Kuokkalammen Lohi (fishing park), Kuokkalammentie 287Peten Baari, Särkilahdentie KaiturinpääUtulan kaupan kahvio (grocery shop and café), Utulantie 1045

RAUTJÄRVI

Pirjon Kipsa ja Kukkapalvelu (florist, kiosk), Roihankatu 14 TB Simpele, Mäkiänkiläntie 2 Neste Oil Simpele, Asemakatu 30Restaurant Sirpakka, Roihankatu 15Café at Kukka- ja hautauspalvelu Lumo (florist and funeral services), Roihankatu 15Kahvila Karhuntupa (café), Karjalantie 1087Kahvila Pisara (café), Rautjärventie 100Kebab Dilem, RoihankatuMaasälpä Jorma Repo Ky (café and other services), Asemakatu 29

Shopping and servicesEmergency number 112

Imatra police station Tainionkoskentie 70

Honkaharju HospitalHonkaharju 4(Night emergency duty is located in Lappeenranta)

Ruokolahti Health CentreNällisuontie 7

Rautjärvi Health CentreViipurinkatu 6

Taxis• Imatra tel. +358 200 16 464• Ruokolahti tel. +358 5 16 464• Simpele tel. +358 10 328 6080• Rautjärvi tel. +358 10 320 5700

Imatra Travelling Centre Koskikatu 1• Bus station• Railway station• Matkahuolto travel and parcel

services• Taxi stand• Café

Pharmacies• Imatrankoski • Helsingintie 9• Tainionkoski, Mansikkala • Tietäjänkatu 2• Vuoksenniska • Torikatu 9• Ruokolahti • Liisanpolku 2• Asemanseutu, Rautjärvi • Rautjärventie 86 Fishing permits• Vuoksi Fishing Park • Kotipolku 4• Tourist Information • Lappeentie 12• Urheiluliike Kisa

(sporting goods shop) • Lappeentie 41• Swimming pool, cash desk • Kotipolku 2• Imatra City Libraries

Virkkukoukkunen OyTainionkoskentie 4, Imatrawww.virkkukoukkunen.nettel. +358 10 3223 280

The wild Virkkukoukkunen shop in Imatra with its craft products and other items is a sight to behold! The cheerful cards, bags, purses and many other magnificent things created by Koukkunen can be found in the fairytale land of a shop. Step inside and be charmed, or make a virtual visit to the quirky online shop!

Muoti ModaKoskenparras 10, Imatrawww.muotimoda.fitel. +358 5 4367360 Muoti Moda offers international clothing ranges of high quality for both men and women. Classic and timeless style can be found alongside the latest fashions and trends. The well-lit, spacious shop is located near the Imatrankoski rapids, on the Koskenparras pedestrian street. Welcome to shop!

AsemaFest festivalUrheilijankatu 9, Rautjärviwww.facebook.com/asemafestivaalitel. +358 40 7624 217

AsemaFest is the best music festival for young people in Finland. The event is planned and implemented by young peo-ple. The best artists in Finland and bands with young people play at the AsemaFest events. The festival has no age limit, and it does not allow intoxicants. In 2014, the event will be organised on 2 August.

In the Imatra region, a shopper can find a wide variety of specialty shops and large supermarkets. In addition to the supermarkets, you can also visit the clothing and specialty shops in Imatra, as well as the Ruokolahti parish village of Rasila, or Simpele and Asemanseutu in Rautjärvi.

The most famous local specialities are probably the Virkkuukoukkunen shop full of temptations, or the fashion-conscious Toimentupa in Ruokolahti. On Saturdays, it is worth it to make a visit to the Matintalo farm shop in Rautjärvi to buy fresh Highland cattle beef directly from the farm. At the same time, you can see the beautiful animals in person.

The market life in the Imatra region offers local delicacies to the tourist. Here you can find a diverse assort-ment of seasonal harvest products from the local farmers! And the market is also the best place to hear the buzz of happy conversation in the famous local South Karelian dialect – come and stroll around, have a nice chat and find a good bargain!

In the Imatra region you do not need to worry about parking fees; a parking disc is enough!

Come to shop and be served

YOU SHOULD COME AND

FIND A GOOD BARGAIN

VUOKSENNISKAIn the city district of Vuoksenniska, you can find grocery shops, an Alko shop selling alcoholic bev-erages, a pharmacy, as well as several specialty shops.

The famous Church of the Three Crosses designed by the architect Alvar Aalto is also located in Vuoksenniska. The church is one of the most pop-ular sights in Imatra. On the eastern side of the area, on the shores of Lake Immolanjärvi, there is a popular 18 hole golf course.

The Honkaharju Hospital with doctor's and emer-gency services can also be found in Vuoksenniska.

IMATRA BORDER CROSS-

ING POINT

< TO HELSINKI

MANSIKKALAThe City Hall, Cultural Centre Virta, the main library, the city museums, concert halls, the music institute as well as several schools are located in Mansikkala.

Over the last few years, the city district has be-come a centre of supermarkets with several large businesses. The tower blocks with 15 storeys in the centre of Mansikkala make it easy to find.

The Varpasaari fishing park is located on an island in River Vuoksi at Mansikkala.

IMATRANKOSKI – KOSKENPARRASThe most famous tourist attraction of Imatra, the Imatrankoski rapids, is located at the city centre. In the summer, the rapids are allowed to flow free every day. You can also see the Valtionhotelli (State Hotel) standing like a fairytale castle on the banks of the rapids.

The Imatrankoski city district is a centre of clothing and specialty shops. In addition to the excellent shopping locations, there are also cosy cafés along Koskenparras, one of the most pleasant pedestrian streets in Finland, and the Koskentori market next to it. Especially during the summer and the Imatra Big Band Festival, the Koskenparras pedestrian street is full of people enjoying the atmosphere and the offerings of the numerous terraces of the bars and restaurants.

The nature is not far, either – the Imatrankoski rapids are surrounded by the Kruunun-puisto Park, the oldest nature reserve in Finland, where you can roam and admire the bed of the rapids and guess at the signatures carved into the rock by visitors to the rapids over the centuries.

PIETARINTIEThe international border crossing point at Imatra opened in 2002, and the number travellers passing through it has been increasing ever since.

From Imatra, there are only seven kilometres to the neighbouring city of Svetogorsk.

New, large supermarkets and fishmongers are situated near the border.

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IMMALANJÄRVI

Shopping and servicesRUOKOLAHTILocal craft products are sold during the summer in Käsityötupa, on the Puu-malantie road before the village of Rasila. You can also find unique products created by artists at the local museum situated on the Church Hill, as well as the Ruokolahti House and the Taitotalo art and craft centre.

Other shopping locations in Rasila include the café in the countryside shop Maaseutupuoti Katariina, the fabric shop, the Mimosa interior decoration item shop and florist, as well as Toimentupa and the hardware shop.

The beautiful wooden church of Ruokolahti is a must-see!

Maps: www.maanmittauslaitos.fi

SHOP 24HLarge service stations

TRAVELLING CENTRETrains: www.vr.fiBuses: www.matkahuolto.fi

5 km

UKONNIEMIYou can find many outdoor routes and paths through the ter-rain in the area. The ski track next to the holiday homes and the Imatra Kylpylä Spa opens for skiing early, when the first frost arrives. The area has diverse exercise facilities: a sports field, a tennis hall, a new ice stadium, and a large sports hall that makes it possible to train in summer sports even during the winter. Equipment rental is also available. In the winter, the ski tracks in the area will please even a demanding skier.

The Imatra Guest Harbour is located in Lake Saimaa, at the beach of the Imatra Kylpylä Spa. In addition to several berths, the harbour also offers a refuelling station, boat mainte-nance, and a possibility to empty the septic tank. In the sum-mer, you can go on a cruise on Lake Saimaa starting from the harbour on M/S Christina, or during the Big Band Festival, also on the largest inland cruiser in Finland, M/S Camilla.

Sunbathers are spoiled by the Ukonlinna and Lempukka beaches. The Lammassaari island is ringed by hiking paths along the shore. You can enjoy your packed lunch at the lean-to or the hut on the island. There are ancient sites of Stone Age inhabitation on the shores of the Lammassalmi strait.

RAUHAThe versatile new holiday centre on the shores of Lake Saimaa is located only a ten minute drive away from the centre of Imatra. Around Holi-day Club Saimaa, you can find holiday apartments, a shop-ping centre, the indoor Angry Birds Activity Park, as well as the open air park Atreenalin.

The package is complement-ed by an 18 hole golf course. In Rauha, you can also rent equipment for leisure time hobbies and enjoy the offer-ings of programme service companies.

TO JOENSUU >

Download an Imatra Card on your phone www.cardu.fi

Walking tours and sights in Imatrawww.citynomadi.fi

RAUTJÄRVIIn Rautjärvi, Asemanseutu and its neighbouring villages function exceptionally well. In an area with 800 inhabitants, there is a school, a day care centre, a grocery shop, a library, a pharmacy and a bank.

The exercise hall, sports field, ice hockey rink, ski track and fitness track as well as the beach offer excellent opportunities to enjoy hobbies. The in-habitants of the village have built a playground and a skatepark for the children and the young people.

SIMPELESimpele is the central village of Rautjärvi. It is close to nature, and it also has excellent basic ser-vices: schools, a health centre, and plenty of com-panies from grocery stores to accommodation services. Families with children can appreciate the good opportunities to enjoy hobbies.

The distance to Imatra is 40 km, and 80 km to Lap-peenranta and Savonlinna.

IN IMATRA, YOU CAN PARK WITHOUT FEES!There are no parking fees in the Imatra region. The parking at the Imatrankoski market is also free. Just remember to use a parking disc!

You can purchase a disc for example at the Tourist Information Office, kiosks and shops.

www.city-opas.fi

A more detailed guide mapFromtheTouristInformationOffice or in electronic format

You can find a more detailed guide map at the Tourist

Information Office.

Come to shop and be served

Learn more about the plentiful and diverse offering of events available in the area at the address tapahtumat.ekarjala.fi

Download! CITY-OPAS® free tourist map service for Imatra & the region on your phone!

Accommodations

If you want to relax in the nature on your holiday, a cottage is the best accommoda-tion option. There are both luxuriously ap-pointed log cabins as well as atmospheric cottages on the shore available. If you want something more exotic, accommodations on a farm or in a manor offer an unforgetta-ble holiday experience.

In Imatra, you can also combine cottage ac-commodations with a spa holiday. The va-riety of activities at the spa and your own peaceful cottage right next door are an amazing combination for a holiday!

The camping sites in the Imatra region en-chant you with their spectacular lake views and pleasant service. You should definite-

ly take outdoor wear along, because the camping sites offer a wide variety of oppor-tunities for exercise and sports.

In the Imatra region, both couples and fam-ilies as well as single tourists, sports teams going on a training camp, and tourist groups can find comfortable accommodations.

STAY IN A CASTLEpamper yourself at the spa

Sweet dreams

Good sleep and accommodations are something you do not need to compromise on in the Imatra region. Here you have plenty of choice: you are welcome to stay in a castle, a spa, a ho-tel, a cottage, a set of family rooms, at a farm, or even in a lean-to! We take care of our guests, which means that special groups and people valuing environmentally friendly tourism can find what they need in the range of accommodations available.

AccommodationsIMATRA

Spa Hotel Rantasipi Imatran ValtionhotelliTorkkelinkatu 2Tel. +358 5 625 2000

Center Hotel Imatra Koskenparras 3 Tel. +358 44 4300 600

Hotel VuoksenhoviSiitolankatu 1, Tel. +358 5 687 8000

Imatra Kylpylä SpaPurjekuja 2Tel. +358 20 7100 502

Hotel ImatraKanavakatu 9 Tel. +358 10 666 5700

Hotel RentoKohonkankaantie 98Tel. +358 10 504 2490

Neitsytniemi ManorVuoksenniskantie 10Tel. +358 40 159 1911

Hotel Anna KernEnsontie 22Tel. +358 5 436 3408

IMATRA AND ITS IMME-DIATE SURROUNDINGS

Holiday Club SaimaaRauhanrinne 1Tiuruniementie 31, RauhaTel. +358 30 686 1002

Saimaa Gardens holiday apartmentsMiriensis Oy/Saimaa GardensVipelentie 3-5, RauhaTel. +358 40 361 3471

Karjalan PorttiHarmaakalliontie 1, RauhaTel. +358 5 432 8880

Hotel and restaurant KulkuripoikaAsematie 4, RauhaTel. +358 5 432 8322, +358 500 213 177

Hotel Gasthaus JoutsenoSaimaantie 16, JoutsenoTel. +358 5 413 2327

RUOKOLAHTI

Rantalinna HotelRantalinnantie 127Tel. +358 40,194,899

Saimaan Loma-HoviLomahovintie 3Tel. +358 40 868 5288

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c70 m15 y0 k0 c75 m0 y100 k0 c0 m50 y10 k0

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“You’ve got a right to your own feelings, too!” You can purchase souvenirs of Imatra at the Imatra Tourist Information (Lappeentie 12) or at the customer service point of the Imatra City Hall (Virastokatu 2).

Shirt €10

A box of raisins 2 €

Badge €0

Sweet dreamsOTHER ACCOMMODATIONS

IMATRA

Hostel MansikkalaPilvikuja 2Tel. +358 44 797 5452

Hostel UkonlinnaLeiritie 8Tel. +358 10 322 7711

Hostel ImmalanjärviNiskapietiläntie 27Tel. reception: +358 45 888 8848 reservations: +358 44 010 9886

Päivärannan kurssikeskus (course centre)Päivärannantie 7Tel. +358 44 400 4230

Imatra Camping UkonniemiOttelukatu 12tel. +358 45 255 0072

Camping at Vuoksi Fishing ParkVarpasaari, Kotipolku 4Tel. +358 5 432 3123, +358 400 655 848 Kesäkoti Hakala (summer cottages)Hakalantie 10Tel. +358 40 752 4973

RUOKOLAHTI

Jaakkima Christian InstituteOpistontie 21Tel. +358 5 669 0300

ValkinhoviValkinhovintie 25, 56310 SyyspohjaTel. +358 010 3286 300

Kesärannan Lomamajat (holiday cottages)Kesärannantie 74Tel. +358 50 581 8940

Matkaparkki camping and caravan area at the Kalastuspuisto Kuokkalammen Lohi fishing parkKuokkalammintie 287 55800 Imatra Tel. +358 500 414 078, +358 40 570 8266

Lextora OyVeikonniementie 6856310 SyyspohjaTel. +358 40 562 3534

Patalaiska CottagesKultarannantie 149 56440 PohjalankilaTel. +358 50 441 1094

Mietinsaaren Lomahuvilat (holiday cottages)Mietinsaarentie 17656140 ÄitsaariTel. +358 400 752 081

Huhtasen Lomamökit (holiday cottages)Olkantie 7056410 KaiturinpääTel. +358 5 43 451 25, +358 50 599 0068

Mökkivuokraus Intola (holiday cottage rental) Kurkniementie 202Tel. +358 500 846 519

RAUTJÄRVI

Simmes OyReinikaisenkatu 6 (office)56800 SimpeleTel. +358 20 743 8780, +358 500 853 981

Uniaitta B&BTorsansalmentie 207, 56730 LaikkoTel. +358 50 564 0618

Pitkäjärven Toimintakeskus In-ka (activity centre with accommodations)Pienseläntie 21, 56800 SimpeleTel. +358 500 173827

Hugon Huvilat (holiday cottages)Rautjärventie 100Tel. +358 400 504 788

Kaljusen Lomamökit (holiday cottages) Longantie 14, 56730 LaikkoTel. +358 50 354 5098, +358 50 599 0342

Kaivannon Lohi Lomamökit (holiday cottages)Peruspohjantie 41456800 SimpeleTel. +358 50 302 3712

Imatra Kylpylä SpaPurjekuja 2, Imatrawww.imatrankylpyla.fitel. +358 020 7100 500 Be refreshed by the scenery of Lake Saimaa every day of the year. Relax at Spa Taikametsä, and enjoy the accommo-dations in stylish hotel rooms or holiday homes. Gourmands can enjoy the culinary delights offered by the buffet and à la carte restaurant Kastanja.

For families

Swimming is absolutely one of the most fun activities for the whole family. In the Imatra re-gion, there are several clean and safe beaches around Lake Saimaa, as well as the other lakes. And even if the holiday occurs in the middle of the coldest winter, you can still enjoy swimming in the Imatra area by plunging into the warm bubbles at a spa!

The treasure hunters of the 21st century can find several geocaches, some of them very chal-lenging, and the good Internet connections will help you to find them together with your fami-ly or friends. In the CityNomadi service (www.citynomadi.com), you can easily learn to know the Imatra region via various thematic routes, such as “Imatranajot” (a famous motor race), “Vuoksen luonto” (the nature of River Vuoksi), “Imatran Hiisin jäljillä” (on the tracks of the Hiisi of Imatra), “Hiitolanjoen virtaa” (the flow of Riv-er Hiitolanjoki), “Valheita ja Vaeltajia” (the trail of lies and travellers), or “Siivekkäitä Siitolassa” (Winged Creatures in Siitola) and “Vuoksen var-rella” (on the banks of River Vuoksi).

It is fun to go on an adventure in the Atreenalin Adventure Park together with the whole family! You do not need previous experience to start, just a happy, open mind. A rainy day is saved by the Angry Birds Activity Park, which is also located in Rauha.

It is easy to go see the sights of Imatra on guid-ed tours, where you can for example experience

drama and hear the echoes of history led by skilled guides. There are also walking tours and sightseeing tours around the city; in Imatra in the summer they often include a rapids show. The guided walking tour in the Kruununpuisto Park also ends in a rumbling rapids show. On a tour in the nature reserve surrounding the Ima-trankoski rapids, you can hear about the olden times with their lookout pavilions, rock carvings and potholes. When going on a shopping trip, the pleasant playground on the Koskenparras pedestrian street also offers a good place for the parents to take a break.

Imatra is the Lego city of Finland. Among oth-er things, a local family of entrepreneurs have created a magnificent Lego replica of the Ima-trankoski rapids; its construction consumed a total of 200 kilos of bricks! You can admire this stunning structure at the Imatra Kylpylä Spa. A postcard featuring Legos is a fun way to send greetings from your trip to your friends.

The diverse event calendar in the Imatra region offers both culture and vibrant experiences as well as exuberant fun. In the autumn, you can visit the fish market and enjoy different kinds of events. The theatres in the region also attract visitors with their interesting programmes, and during the holiday months, you can go see the plays performed on the open air summer thea-tre stages. In the winter, you can witness a rap-ids show on Christmas Day and the New Year.

EVERYTHING IS READYfor a successful holiday

Being together“My home is in Imatra, in River Vuoksi;

this is where I have decided to stay. In my opinion, there is no

better place than this.”Hiisi

Imatra Region Development Company Ltd.

Tourist Information

Lappeentie 12FI-55100 IMATRA

Tel. +358 5 235 2330

imatra@gosaimaa.comwww.kehy.fi | www.imatra.info

www.gosaimaa.com

The Tourist Information Office in Imatra serves you near the Koskenparras pedestrian street: tourist information and brochures, hiking maps and maps of the inland waterways, fishing

permits for River Vuoksi, Hostelling International cards, parking discs, guide services, guided sightseeing tours and the Lippupalvelu ticket service.

Our customer service is open Mon–Fri 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., and during the rapids show season from 23 June to 24 August 2014, on Mon–Fri 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. and Sat 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Welcome!

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Kiitos tuestasi ilmastonsuojelun edistämiseksi!Symboleja ”Ilmastonsuojelua edistävä paperi” / ”Klimatkompenserad papper” / ”Climate compensa-ted paper” saa käyttää vain niissä painotuotteissa, joissa on käytetty Map Suomen valikoimaan kuu-luvaa ilmastonsuojelua edistävää paperia. Jos materiaali on jotain muuta kuin paperia, käytetäänlogoa ”Ilmastonsuojelua edistävä” /”Klimatkompenserad” / ”Climate compensated”.

Suosittelemme käyttämään logosta niitä versioita, jossa on mukana nettisivujemme osoite(www.mapsuomi.fi), sillä sieltä löytyy arvokasta tietoa ilmastonsuojelun edistämisestä. Logon kokoasaa muuttaa, mutta muita muutoksia symboliin ei saa tehdä. Sen voi tulostaa mustana tai vihreänä(CMYK 65 00 100 8.5) tai vaihtoehtoisesti negana. Liitteenä vektoroidut eps-tiedostot.

Map Suomi AB November 2009

Rural Archipelago