I was in Mikkeli and noticed that. Eastern Finland, Mikkeli city. Stone sacristy Kivisakasti

Mikkeli is a very compact city; it will take you no more than 2 hours to get around it entirely. Despite its apparent insignificance, the first mention of it dates back to 1270, when there was a Novgorod churchyard here. Mikkeli received the status of a city from the Russian Emperor Nicholas I in 1838, then the city was called St. Michel in the then Russian fashion, almost St. Petersburg.

During the Second World War, the city was the main headquarters of the Finnish army, so the city was heavily bombed and now it is mainly built up with modern buildings. The main attractions are the military museums; we did not visit them.

The town of Mikkeli was only 20 km away and we visited it on our last day. The weather turned out to be extremely cold, it was only +8 degrees and a strong wind was blowing.

We left the car in the underground parking of a huge shopping complex“Stella”, parking is based on the principle of drive in, take a ticket indicating the time of entry, pay when leaving. Parking costs 1 euro per hour.

On one side of the Stella shopping complex there is a square with a monument to Marshal Mannerheim. He is considered a national hero of Finland and any town where the famous marshal has ever visited has a museum. memorable places, well, it’s natural to erect a monument to the national hero on the main square of the city.

Monument to Marshal Mannerheim

In Mikkeli, two places associated with Mannerheim are the Museum of the Main Headquarters, where Marshal Mannerheim’s office and headquarters are exhibited ground forces. At Mikkeli railway station there is a lounge car that Mannerheim used from 1939 to 1946.

On Mannerheim Square there is a city market, the assortment is the same as at the market in - berries, flowers, fish, products of local artisans. And there was a huge line for the bus; it would probably take 3 buses to accommodate all these people. So they also have queues.

Kirkkopuisto Church Park

This small park on the other side of the Stella shopping complex has a very long history. On this site, back in 1754-1806, there was a church and the Sivolahti church cemetery. After more than a quarter of a millennium, the park was reconstructed and reopened. The park is very small, I would call it a small square.

For some reason, the Finns love to depict naked men, so this archer is also naked. Maybe this is caused by their tradition of visiting saunas together?

Kirkkopuisto Church Park

To host national singing and musical events, an indoor stage was built in the park in the fall of 1896 under the direction of architect John Lybeck.

Kirkkopuisto Church Park

Observation tower "Naisvuori"

To see all the surroundings of the city, you can visit the Naisvuori observation tower. The tower itself stands on a natural hill, there is a park around it, flowers are planted, there is a fountain, in short, everything is very beautiful. From the tower you can see the entire city and the surrounding forests and lakes.

Looking at the Naisvuori tower

Another sculpture of a naked man.

View from observation tower

View from the observation tower

View from the observation tower - the main Cathedral

There is a small cafe on the ground floor of the tower. They sell traditional waffles there at a price of 8 euros per serving. Waffles can be ordered with jam, whipped cream or ice cream, they put a lot of ice cream, we saw it at the next table. The waffles themselves, to our taste, are very reminiscent of pancakes, they are not crispy at all, but soft, like pancakes, we tried similar waffles in.

Waffles in the observation tower cafe

Main Cathedral of Mikkeli

home market Street and Mikkeli Cathedral

In the center of the city, as it should be, there is an impressively sized Lutheran Cathedral; there was a wedding going on there, so we didn’t go inside. The cathedral was built in 1896-1897 by the outstanding Finnish architect Josef Stenbeck. In total, he built 35 churches in Finland and Russia. There is a small park nearby.

Monument at the main Cathedral, again the naked rider

Next to the cathedral, according to Finnish tradition, there is a small monument to those who fell in 1918; there was a revolution on Finnish soil, only in Finland the whites under the command of Marshal Mannerheim won.

Main Cathedral

And finally, a few photos of just houses in Mikkeli.

A piece of hot Thailand in a cold Finnish province

Wooden architecture

We didn’t particularly like Mikkeli and we don’t really want to return to this city, unlike

Where to stay: Skiers and snowboarders should immediately stay in Himos or neighboring Jäms, and if you are unlucky, then look for accommodation in Jyväskylä, but you will have to spend almost an hour on a transfer to the resort. Among the hotels in Imatra there are decent offers with spas. A stop in Mikkeli or Rauhe is suitable for have a relaxing holiday. In Varkaus you can choose a nice cottage right in the forest and enjoy the proximity of nature. Savonlinna is ready to offer not only a provincial-rural flair, but also full-fledged hotels. Well, it’s worth staying in Lappeeranta for the entire holiday - there will be no problems with finding activities, as well as with a place to live.
What to see: Rauha allows you to combine lazy, contemplative relaxation with a whole bunch of activities. If you get bored in the village, you can go to neighboring Imatra or Lappeenranta - the second largest shopping center in Finland. Neighborhood Mikkeli ideal for fishing. Don’t forget to study the local rock art; they say it is about 4 thousand years old. Savonlinna is sometimes called the “Finnish Venice” - we wander along its bridges and cobbled streets, ride on ferries, walk along the Punkaharju ridge and admire the local fortress. Varkaus is also surrounded by water on all sides. There are plenty of walking paths and a simply charming atmosphere. Jyväskylä is the real “Finnish Athens”. There are a lot of educational institutions, museums and natural attractions here. Well, Himos is one of the most popular ski resorts countries, comments are unnecessary.
You may also be interested in

One of the oldest cities in Finland is Mikkeli, which is located on the coast of Lake Saimaa. Today Mikkeli is a big tourist town, where thousands of tourists vacation 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 Southern Savo this provincial town became important transport hub. Indeed, during the Second World War, Mikkeli was used as a headquarters; it was here that Marshal Mannerheim controlled the Finnish army. Today this history can be traced in numerous museums. By the way, the city was awarded the Order of the Cross of Freedom.

How to get to Mikkeli

Mikkeli Airport is located three kilometers from the central part of the city. Today, this airport accepts exclusively private aircraft and charter flights. Therefore, in general, getting to the city by air You can, but you need to take care of your air tickets in advance.

Mikkeli has excellent bus connections to many cities in Finland. The bus terminal is combined 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 no problems arise.

Prices in shops and hotels

On Lake Saimaa is located old mansion, which today is the Kyyhkyla Hotel, seven kilometers from the city center. Guests have all the amenities, for example, 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 close to the market square and railway station Mikkeli. 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 view to the garden. This place has old world charm with a mix of modern amenities. Despite the many advantages of this hotel, the cost of living is 3,800 rubles.

In general, shopping in Mikkeli stores is no different from other cities in Finland. The cost of goods is quite reasonable, so it’s worth setting aside a day to go shopping in the city. In addition, in many souvenir shops you can find unique gifts and memorable souvenirs.

What to see in Mikkeli

Mikkeli is rich in many museums dedicated to military topics. First of all, you should go to the Mannerheim Bunker Museum; this place once served as a command center for the Finnish army. A ticket to the museum costs only four euros, and it is open until five in the evening local time. In 1982, the Infantry Museum was founded, which is considered one of the largest military museums in Finland. Three wooden barracks house the museum's military exhibits, which consist of military tools, clothing and military vehicles. Of course, what is a military museum without weapons: machine guns and mortars used in wartime are displayed here.

Another famous attraction of the city is the rock 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 rock art. These petroglyphs were depicted on the rock cliff. If you come to look at the famous rock paintings, 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.

Architectural monuments

The main square of Mikkeli is a landmark of the city, in the center of which there is a monument to Marshal Mannerheim. Next to it is the famous Lutheran Cathedral, in the construction of which red brick was used. His style is characterized as late Gothic. On weekends in the Cathedral you can hear solemn service singing and the sounds of the organ.

The square is surrounded by hotels, offices, a large department store, banks, and the city hall. The ancient covered market, which is located near the central square, is called a monument of northern architecture. On Saturdays the square is filled with market stalls.

The Naisvuri observation tower is an original architectural object, 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 a picturesque view of the city while enjoying a cup of delicious coffee.

Very mysterious story has a delightful stone sacristy Kivisakasti. Because no one can still name the exact date of construction and age of the building. According to some assumptions, Kivisakasti is part of the destroyed Savilahti (church from the early 16th century).

Festival City

Mikkeli's convenient location allows it to be tourist center, who takes special care of his guests. Throughout the year, the city hosts various festivals, exhibitions and concerts, as well as unusual excursions. Finns themselves, along with foreigners, plunge into the active life of the city. No one will be bored. After all, festivals often last until late at night, so after exploring local attractions, tourists spend their leisure time listening to beautiful music or watching an exciting performance. The city transforms during the holidays, so it is worth taking part in such events.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Mikkeli stands on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Moreover, the town is very ancient, people have lived here since about the 12th century. The city is named after its patron Saint Michael. The main feature of the city is the clear layout of the streets. In winter, Mikkeli is a great place for skiing (from mid-November to the end of March, moreover) and other winter activities, and in summer it is also quite beautiful. And for fans of fishing, this is a must.

And in Mikkeli there are constantly some concerts and festivals of amateur theater and music, ballet, horse racing, and much more.

And a few words about the sights of the city:

Mannerheim salon car (Mannerheimin Salonkivaunu)

The saloon car was created in the 30s of the last century for the Finnish President of Finland from 1944 to 1946, Karl Mannerheim. This car was part of a train that also had two more sleeping cars, a dining car, a staff car, an anti-aircraft car and a car for transporting cars. The commander-in-chief's salon consisted of a salon, five bedrooms, a kitchen and a toilet. Carl Gustav Emil made more than a hundred trips on this train.
Particularly interesting was the trip during his 75th birthday, during which he received personal congratulations from Adolf Hitler. The last time Mannerheim committed this was already as president in 1946 (before that he was a marshal and then a regent). After the death of the president, I rode in this carriage CEO Finnish railways. In 1992, the trailer became a museum where the commander’s personal belongings, as well as documents and audio materials from those years, are stored. Since the museum is open once a year, you can walk through it virtually here: http://salonkivaunu.mikkeli.fi/

Address: Mannerheimintie 24

Museum "Suur-Savo" (Suur-Savon museo)

This is a cultural and historical museum where you can learn more about local culture, from the era of distant ancestors to the present day. In total there are about 8000 exhibits. The museum's exposition occupies several buildings, but the most interesting things take place in the main building. A very interesting exhibition is the everyday life of peasants in Southern Savonia (actually, Southern Savonia is a region in southeastern Finland with its center in Mikkeli). Simultaneously with permanent exhibitions, temporary exhibitions are also held here (almost always 1-2 temporary).

Address: Otavankatu 11

Schedule: September-April, Wed. from 10.00 to 17.00 and Sat. from 14.00 to 17.00, May-August, Tue.-Fri. from 10.00 to 17.00, Sat. from 14.00 to 17.00

Rural parish church (Mikkelin maaseurakunnan kirkko)

This temple is large, wooden. Look for him in the western part of the city. The temple was built in the first quarter of the 19th century. By the way, this is the third largest church in the country. It can accommodate up to 2000 people at the same time. The architects took the best traditions of Lutheran churches as a basis, and the church turned out to be quite simple in appearance, with light walls and a dark-colored roof, but with a complex shape.
The church houses ancient bells from the mid-18th century. The inside of the temple is very bright, very austere. The church is only open in summer. Free admission.

Address: Otavankatu, 9

Mikkeli Cathedral (Mikkelin tuomiokirkko)

The main church of the city was built in the neo-Gothic style of red brick and covered with a tiled roof. The church was erected at the very end of the 19th century. The cathedral is very spacious and can accommodate up to 1200 guests at a time. Since the 60s of the last century, there has been a bell tower near the cathedral, and inside there is an organ from the middle of the last century. The massive altar depicting the scene of the crucifixion of Christ is impressive. Next to the temple there is a nice little park with a pond. By the way, there is a belief that if you cross the bridge passing over this pond, your wish will come true. Worth checking out! Entrance to the temple is free.

Address: Otto Mannisenkatu 1

Opening hours: 01.06–31.08 daily 10.00–18.00

Naisvuori Observation Tower (Naisvuoren Nakotorni)

This tower stands almost in the center of the city. And this highest point Mikkeli, in addition to the fact that the tower is high (about 40 meters), it also stands on a hill, which, by the way, is popularly called “women’s mountain.” It is called that because during the Russian-Finnish War, women watched from this hill the fighting at the front. The tower is made of white stone. The site can be reached by elevator. There is also a restaurant there that serves national Finnish cuisine. True, it seems, only in the summer. Also at the beginning of summer, a children's festival with songs, dances and clowns takes place on this hill.

Schedule: May 1-May 31 Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00, June 1-August 11 daily from 10:00 to 21:00, August 12-August 31 daily 11:00-18:00

Kenkavero Estate Museum

This is the residence of the parish priest on the shore of the lake. This building was built back in the 15th century, and then this house was the 5th center of the spiritual and material life of the town. But by the end of the last century, the building was in complete disrepair, so the city authorities took urgent measures for restoration. So the house became a museum, where exhibits related to local art and craft are exhibited. The museum also has a restaurant serving traditional delicacies and a souvenir shop. In summer it is very romantic here, because the estate is surrounded by a picturesque garden with a sea of flowers (more than 500 species). Entrance to the estate is free.

Working hours: Sun-Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat. 10–16

Address: Pursialankatu, 6

Art Museum Mikkeli Art Museum

The museum is located in the very center of the city, opposite the Cathedral. This museum has been operating since 1970. There you can admire the works of Finnish artists from the late 19th to late 20th years. For the most part, these are paintings in the style of expressionism and post-impressionism.

Schedule: October – April. Wed 12-19; Thu, Fri, Sun 10-17; Sat 10-13; May-September: Tue-Sun 10-17; Wed 12-19; Sat 10-13

Address: Ristimäenkatu 3

Infantry Museum

The museum has been operating since 1982. Items related to military affairs, or more precisely, to infantry troops, are exhibited here. In the halls of the museum there are documents, military uniforms (about 70 copies), weapons (120 machine guns, for example) - from 1881 to the present day. The exhibition is located in 3 old barnacles from the 19th century.

Schedule: Tue.-Thu. from 11.00 to 18.00, Fri.-Sun. from 11.00 to 17.00.

Address: Jääkärinkatu 6-8

Is the answer helpful?

If you have a unique opportunity to visit the ancient Finnish city of Mikkeli, go without hesitation! Tourism in the city is considered almost the main part of income, so the attitude towards visitors is very favorable. The local authorities are doing everything possible to make you feel very comfortable in the city and express a desire to come to Mikkeli more than once to admire the local attractions again.

Cathedral / Mikkelin tuomiokirkko

Ristimaenkatu 2, Mikkeli, Finland (next to the market square) - this address is located main temple a city in which local residents are very proud, and the area adjacent to the church is a favorite vacation spot for the townspeople. Almost a hundred years ago, parishioners created a park here with a small picturesque pond. A bridge was built across this reservoir. There is still a belief in the city that people who cross the pond on this bridge change their lives for the better! So you have a wonderful opportunity to try out the legend for yourself.

The brick cathedral itself was built according to the design of the outstanding Finnish architect Stenbeck in 1897. This religious building can be seen from afar due to its high tower- bell towers. The church belongs to the Lutheran denomination, so the interior decoration is quite modest. The entire interior is made of wood. The gilded chandeliers and the magnificent organ, the sound of which is simply divine, amaze with their beauty! It is also worth taking a closer look at the altar, in the center of which is a painting by the Finnish painter Pekka Halonena, painted in 1899. Entrance to the cathedral is free, visiting hours for tourists: from 10.00 to 18.00.

Rural parish church / Mikkelin maaseurakunnan kirkko

Another religious building that local residents are proud of is located at Otavankatu Street 9. The size of this wooden church is impressive (it can accommodate 2,000 parishioners at the same time), and it is not for nothing that it is considered the third largest in Finland. Huge columns give the temple a majestic appearance. The altar with the painting of the crucified Jesus is an exact copy of the painting by the artist Pudhoni exhibited in the French Louvre.

The luxurious antique organ, installed on a special balcony, stands out with its gilded finish. All the windows in the temple are decorated with intricate wood carvings, where each ornament is topped with a cross.

Unfortunately, all this beauty can only be seen in the summer, since it is at this time of year that the temple is accessible to curious tourists. By the way - completely free.

Mikkeli Art Museum

Ristimaenkatu 5, 50100 Mikkeli (city center) - at this address there is a museum where paintings and other works of local artists are on display. The building itself is an architectural monument, built in 1912. To go inside the museum, you will have to pay 3 euros for an adult visitor; children under 18 years of age go in for free. The museum is open all days of the week except Monday. Opening hours: from 10.00 to 17.00, on Wednesdays - from 12.00 to 19.00.

Observation tower Naisvuori / Naisvuoren Nakotorni

To admire the picturesque local views of the city, it is worth visiting one of the main city attractions - the Naisvuori Tower, located at Naisvuoren Nakotorni, 50100 Mikkeli (10 minutes walk from Market Square). It was built in the 30s of the 20th century. It is said that during the Finnish-Soviet war, local women watched the battles that took place in the immediate vicinity of the city from the walls of the tower. Nowadays, powerful binoculars and even telescopes are installed here to get a better look. local beauties. IN summer time On the observation deck of the tower there is a wonderful cafe that serves waffles that are excellent in taste. You can go upstairs by elevator. This pleasure will cost: for an adult - 2.50 euros, for children aged from 4 to 11 years - 1 euro. Observation deck Open only in summer: from 10.00 to 19.00.

Mannerheim Main Headquarters Museum

Tourists interested in history will be amazed by the facts revealed when visiting the museum, located at Paamajankuja 1-3, FIN-50100, Mikkeli. It was in this unremarkable building that the headquarters of the defense of Finnish territory from the Soviet aggressor, under the command of Marshal Mannerheim, was based. Price entrance ticket for an adult - 4 euros, children under 18 years of age visit the museum for free. Opening hours: from 10.00 to 18.00, seven days a week.

Cultural and Historical Museum / Suur-Savon Museo

Another very interesting museum “Suur-Savo”, which you should definitely visit, is located at 0tavankatu street 11. Unique rarities are exhibited here, telling about the historical past of the region in general, and the city in particular. All kinds of objects belonging to local residents near the surrounding region of "South Savo".

The doors of the museum are hospitably open from Tuesday to Friday: from 10.00 to 17.00. On Saturday - from 14.00 to 17.00 hours

Entrance ticket for an adult costs 2.50 euros, children under 18 years of age enter free of charge.

Harjukoski Mill / Harjukosken Mylly

To see with your own eyes it's complicated architectural structure, You will have to go to the address: Ihastjarventie 261. This unit with two millstones was built in the middle XIX century and worked properly until 1975. The mill is still in excellent condition and can be restarted at any time. In the courtyard of the farm there are two rooms that serve as barns and an excellent Finnish sauna, where, with prior agreement with the owners, you can have a great time.

Extreme amusement park

After exploring all the city's attractions, you should definitely go to the amusement park located at: Visulahdentie, 50180 Mikkeli, Finland. Here in the park there is great amount a wide variety of attractions, after visiting which the adrenaline level simply goes off scale.

City Mikkeli, named after the patron saint of those places, St. Michael - just right would be better suited For family vacation with kids. Here and not far from the border, many cottages with good fishing on Saimaa, convenient shopping (several shopping centers Stella, Aleksi and Carlson are compactly located in the city center), there are spas, museums and amusement parks for children.

It will be interesting to visit the museum of the main headquarters of Mannerheim himself, whose headquarters was in Mikkeli during the Second World War; Mannerheim’s personal carriage, which was used from 1939 to 1946 for trips on wartime business, is also in eternal rest.

The Loki Museum of Radio Operators, hidden in the rock, will tell (and show) about the underground work of radio operators; the Mikkeli Art Museum will introduce you to modern art.

Children and adults will enjoy visiting the Rantakeidas water park and the Visulahti water amusement park with water slides and swimming pools, dinosaurs ready to really stroll through the tall grass of Mikkeli, and sports climbing frames for kids in the Hyper Dino complex. For extreme sports enthusiasts, there is more serious entertainment - Rally School.

Ancient manors, among which Tertti and Kenkävero, the largest priest's house in Finland, stand out.

A real winery, where you will be received with cordiality and told about which berries can be used to make homemade wine and will arrange a real tasting with Finnish cordiality and friendliness.

The pristine beauty of nature, unusual museums, designer cottages and amusement parks - this is what you will come to Mikkeli for more than once.

Photos of the city of Mikkeli:

Paradise overlooking Lake Saimaa, a place where many wished to spend more than one day of their lives Art&Design Villas Anttolanhovi in the town of Anttola next to Mikkeli. Actually Anttolanhovi presents

It might be useful to read: