Some useful facts

Some of the South Karelia specials

Särä

Mutton roast cooked in a wooden trough. Delicious!

Dragoons – Traditional cavalrymen on horseback
A legendary cavalry division dressed in red trousers. The horses went in the 1950's.

These representatives of the former Finnish cavalry dressed in the uniforms of the 1920s can be seen riding on horseback within the Fortress and the Lappeenranta harbour area.
26.6. – 27.7. Tue – Fri 2 – 5 p.m., Sat 12 – 3 p.m. (weather permitting).

Lemi Red
A fine potato variety once in demand as far away as St. Petersburg.

Four-Part Hymn-Singing
A stern church organist once taught his congregation to sing in four parts.
The tradition still lives on.

The Princess Armada
An old tar steamer now serving as a restaurant in Lappeenranta harbour.

Big Band Festival
An international music event in Imatra.

Mälkiä
The biggest lock on the Saimaa Canal in a park-like setting.

Spectrolite
A precious stone with "lights" from Ylämaa.

State Hotel – Imatran Valtionhotelli
A castle-like building in Art Nouveau style designed by Usko Nyström in 1903
and restored to its former splendour in 1986.

Saimaa Ringed Seal
The mysterious Saimaa dweller, a fresh-water seal and endangered species.

The Pontus Excavation
A reminder of the 16th century attempt to dig a canal from Lake Saimaa to Vyborg.
Luckily the venture failed; had it succeeded, Lake Saimaa would have emptied into the sea.
(According to Regional Council of South Karelia)