THE NEXT ROUND IS on US Harbour Workers And, If Hunger Struck, Often Accompanied by a Meat Pie

HOT – HOTTER – E18 KOTKA The new E18 motorway brings you here in a jiffy!

KOTKA-HAMINA REGION - Pyhtää, Kotka, Hamina, REGION, FINLAND HAMINA Virolahti and Miehikkälä. This area is full of stories, historic events and neighbourhoods that have inspired for centuries. On the shores of the Gulf of Finland. FROM HELSINKI The Circular City of Hamina is one big fortress, heritage of the Ruotsinsalmi fortified city is Natural strength. THIS IS Let’s visiblemeet! all around and the Pyhtää Stockfors 80 minutes groundwood mill area whispers stories of an Stories with roots. industrial past. Kotka inspired the musical legend of Juha Vainio, Alvar Aalto planned a Enjoyment, peace and community. FROM ST. PETERSBURG glorious factory and residential atmosphere 3.5 hours in Sunila and Emperor Alexander III built his But watch out! summer hideaway right here. The museums Make this area your own. of Maritime Centre Vellamo invite visitors to A REAL experience the stories from around the area Your next holiday destination. You might and the sea, but whole new stories are created alongside Finnish fish in Maretarium. The be walking Salpa line in Miehikkälä and Virolahti tells an ABOUT AN HOUR impressive story about Finnish independence. Experience the Kotka-Hamina area on your mobile! Download the free Kotka-Hamina mobile guide from Google Play or App Store EAST FROM HELSINKI! on stories. Come and leave your mark. by searching ‘visitkotkahamina’ and select your favourite walking paths! MUST-SEE.

FIND YOUR Don’t missTHIS the IS boat!AN TRUE NATURE. The duckboards of Valkmusa national park lead you towards an easy mini-holiday on Finnish Lapland. Breathe in the marshy UNMISSABLE landscape, climb a bird-watching tower and notice the integrative We guarantee, effects of nature. Santalahti nature paths twist and turn around the beautiful coastal landscape of Kotka and the Portimo paths in you’ll return in love Hamina include over 40 km of wandering space, including lean- MUST-SEA! to accommodation. The 43 km long Salpa Trail around Virolahti (with nature)! and Miehikkälä mimics the war-time Salpa Line. Peep into dug- outs and caves, walk across woods and fields. Bird-watching is Enjoy authentic sea vibes without owning an also possible during the Arctic days of Virolahti. actual boat. The islands are connected by a You can enjoy scheduled ferry service. What do you feel like? The Eastern Gulf of Finland archipelago has the sea without it all. Kaunissaari offers an idyllic fishing vil- getting your feet wet, lage vibe, Lehmäsaari is a peaceful hideaway in nature, Haapasaari is the furthermost out- Come as you are the coast line extends post, Rankki gives a glimpse to military history and Varissaari or Ulko-Tammio are perfect over 1700 km. for a quick stop in nature. – you might leave different.

NOW SOME LET’S PARK!

SPEED! Kotka Maritime Festival Kotka is a park-town, worthy for welcoming Use the Kymijoki rapids, indoor surfing, visitors from any part of the world! flying, horse riding, carting and moto- 26.–29.7.2018 The most multi-faceted cross-tracks for a show of power. You can Kotka’s parks have received numerous international rewards and the sea-based festival in Finland. discover the region by biking, paddling, or national urban park of Kotka is something, you just must experience. letting the hustlerapids carry you. The rich land- www.meripaivat.com The city’s gardener Heikki Laaksonen has done an amazing job with his

scapes will surely also be enjoyed by fisher- team and created magic by ingenious use of stone. Catch the sea breeze men, golfers and motorists alike. You can Hamina Tattoo in Katariina, visit the city centre’s parks with their statues, fountains and spend a refreshing day in the Kotka open- flower-beds or the waterfall and outdoor concerts of Sapokka and the air pool or Hamina Spa. 30.7.–4.8.2018 water lily pond in Karhula’s river park by Kymijoki. The family’s small- The best of international est can invest their energy to enjoying the park’s playgrounds. You can military music. also use the park’s grilling areas to cook up some sausages for a picnic www.haminatattoo.fi in the park. During the winter months, the hanging lights on the Linden HUNGRY FOR CULTURE? esplanade add a sprinkle of light to the darkness. The best reward? A Check out the internationally acclaimed Other events: rested mind and a distant gaze. Kymi Sinfonietta symphony orchestra and Pyhtää Archipelago Market skilled Kotka City Theatre. There’s also Kymijoen Lohisoitto Music Festival plenty of sporting events for basketball, Kaakko Chamber Music KOTKANSAARI: Fuksinpuisto Park, Isopuisto Park, Katariina Seaside Park, volleyball and football or even ice-hockey Little Market of Little Villages Palotorninvuori Park, Sapokka Water Garden, Redoubt-Kotka, Toivo Pekkanen Park, and floor ball. Salpa Hike Sibelius Park, Sculpture Promenade KARHULA: Riverside Park, Kumparepuisto Park

SWEET LIFE AND SWEET DREAMS.

Best Finnish cuisine.

Restaurant professionals favour nearby producers of fish, ber- ries and bread. Local pastry-makers are the best of Finland and Lonely Planet has included several restaurants in their recommendations. Breweries are also making a comeback and local beer is available in many places. Pass through the harbour bar and settle in for the night in a hotel, five-star camp- ing site or a local villa.

It’s a sin to visit Finger likin’ – pop in to the circular city of Hamina! Kotka and not taste POSSO! good! The local ‘posso’ delicacy is a thinner version of the famous ‘munkkipossu’ pastry, this time filled with apple jam and made in Kotka for over 70 years. This used to be a sweet treat for THE NEXT ROUND IS ON US harbour workers and, if hunger struck, often accompanied by a meat pie. Posso is best when picked up fresh and warm from a market café or bakery, but you’ll surely find one from the local supermarket’s baked goods section as well. 18 minutes LUDVIGINKATU27 12,8 km KARJAKATU Historic Point of Interest

KIRKKOJÄRVENKATU Other Point of Interest KALASTAJANKATU MIEHIKKÄLÄ Park / Outdoor Area Tourist Information ILMARINKATU 30 RAUHANKATU HAMINA MANNERHEIMINTIE ROOPERTINKATU View, Viewing or VILLENKATU 28 HAMINA Bird-watching Tower 23 Church YMPYRÄNKA 27 PIKKU Shopping Centre SAVILAHTI 200 METERS Welcome! 29 Vaalimaa E18 LÄNTINEN ASEMAKATU TU Kymijoki KOTKA VIROLAHTI 23 Market 26 ST. PETERSBURG KIRKKOKATU 31 VALLIKATU 24 3 3.5 hours Beach RAUTATIENKATU PYHTÄÄ FREDRIKINKATU KASARMIKATU Swimming Hall RANTAKATU 1 2 4 KAIVOKATU E18 5 6 Bus Station VIIPURINKATU LAIVASILLANKATU KADETTIKOULUNKATULAURINKATU Railway Station PUISTOKATU HELSINKI TORIKATU ISOYMPYRÄNKATU 80 minutes Taxi

Archipelago Traffic Pier MAARIANKATU PANIMOKATU RATAPIHANKATU RIMA Guest Harbour MÖLJÄNKATU

SATAMAKATU SIBELIUSKATU

PYHTÄÄ STONE CHURCH Harjuntie 11, 49270 Pyhtää church village ALAKAUPUNGINKATU 1 PUUTARHURINKATUANNANKATU Pyhtää church was built around 1460 to the intersection of the Pyhtää branch of Kymijoki 1 2 PITÄJÄN- and the great coastal road or ‘Kuninkaantie’ leading from Turku to Vyborgsky. The church’s MERIKATU SAARI VARVINKATU interior architecture displays impressive pillars and vaults. The three-bay church’s vaults PAPPILANKATU and walls are decorated with medieval wall-paintings. SIBELIUSKATU EROTTAJANKATU 2 SIRIUS SPORT RESORT Kotitie 10, 49270 Pyhtää church village TERVANIEMENKATU 25 Find the hero within. Sirius gives you wings – in a fun and safe way. In addition to flying, VESIKATU E18 TERVASALMI BRIDGE LEPIKÖNRANTA Sirius always has favourable wind for surfers from beginners to professionals alike. The VÄLIKATU park’s climbing and rope courses, minigolf and paddling opportunities provide speedy en- tertainment for the whole family. www.siriussport.fi HELSINGINTIE PYHTÄÄ

3 VALKMUSA Vastilantie 886, 49220 Pyhtää SALMENKATU The national park’s marshlands are exceptionally representative for Southern Finland. Over 30 different types of marsh have been classified here, so the marsh vegetation is spec- KEKKOSENKATU tacularly varied. A 2,5 km duckboard path gives access to the national park. You can also TERVASAARI check the area from the observation tower or by marvelling the shores of Kymijoki. 3 4 SILTAKATU 26 PAPPILANSALMI 4 SUNILA BY ALVAR AALTO Sunilantie, 48900 Kotka During the 1930–40’s, architect Alvar Aalto planned Sunila, an internationally significant architectural ensemble. The masterpiece is still visible in several residential and commer- cial buildings, and the industrial area. In the centre-spot, you’ll find the Sunila pulp mill, built in 1936 and once called the most beautiful factory in the world. ISO 5 LANGINKOSKI IMPERIAL FISHING LODGE AND NATURE AREA PAPPILANSAARET Keisarinmajantie 118, 48230 Kotka. By the beautiful and effervescent Langinkoski, in the Ky- VUOHISAARI mijoki delta, you’ll find Emperor Alexander III’s supper hideaway. The fishing lodge acts as RAMPSINKARI a living house museum in the middle of a nature reserve. Learn about history, imperial summer life, enjoy nature and take a break in the local café. www.kansallismuseo.fi/langinkoski 9 6 MARETARIUM AQUARIUM Sapokankatu 2, 48100 Kotka Maretarium is a natural world of Finnish fish. You can see over 60 different species of 5 6 4 13 minutes • 10 km fish and smaller water-animals. While enjoying the aquarium tour, you can also see a nature photography exhibition, view nature films, have fun in the nature education centre, E18 5 5 minutes • 4 km HIETANEN SOUTH KANTASATAMA have lunch in the café and pick up some souvenirs from the Sea Shop. www.maretarium.fi 21 8 minutes • 7 km 7 KOTKA CITY THEATRE Keskuskatu 15, 48100 Kotka www.kotkanteatteri.fi RUUKINKATU 8 KOTKA CONCERT HALL Keskuskatu 33, 48100 Kotka www.kymisinfonietta.fi 22 9 minutes • 10,5 km KOTKA 9 MARITIME CENTRE VELLAMO Tornatorintie 99, 48100 Kotka LAIVURINKATU The architecturally marvellous Maritime Centre Vellamo includes the Maritime Museum of Finland, the Museum of Kymenlaakso and the Vellamo Information Centre with numer- HOVINSAARI LOCAL ous stories both past, present and future. The Restaurant Laakonki and the museum shop KAUPPAKATU Plootu complete the experience with their many attractions. www.merikeskusvellamo.fi 200 METERS 10 SANTALAHTI Santalahdentie 150, 48310 Kotka 9 10 The holiday resort of Santalahti hides a beautiful beach and nature trails. www.santalahti.fi 11 SAPOKKA, SAPOKKA WATER GARDEN Tallinnankatu 12, 48100 Kotka 17 The Sapokka water garden is filled by sea water, dropping down an illuminated 20 m waterfall. SATAMAKATU 12 Various vegetation and inventive stone structures give visitors plenty to explore. In addition to TORNATORINTIE the glorious park, Sapokka also has a good guest’s harbour and piers for local island traffic. KALLIOKATU 13 LINDEN BOULEVARD, SCULPTURE PROMENADE AND MURALS 15 KIVISALMI The nearly two-kilometre sculpture promenade in the centre of Kotka has 24 quality sculp- 18 7 PAPINKATU tures, mostly of Finnish origin. The path starts from the Toivo Pekkanen park and goes to- RUOTSINSALMENKATU ITÄKATU KOTKA wards Sibelius park via the linden boulevard of Keskuskatu. Turn your gaze towards Kot- KOTKANKATU kankatu and you might also spot the two murals! 15

14 FUKSINPUISTO PARK Puistotie 16, 48100 Kotka KIRKKOKATU Marvel the wide azalea plantations and acquaint yourself with plants also suitable for home 11 13 KAIVOKATU gardens. The best time to marvel azaleas? Early summer. MARIANKATU KESKUSKATU RATAPIHANKATU KAPTEENINKATU 15 ISOPUISTO PARK Ruotsinsalmenkatu 4, 48100 Kotka 15 KOTKANKATU13 Isopuisto is an English landscape park, where terrain, biological reserve and user gener- ated paths have been used in planning. GUTZEITINTIE 16 KATARIINA SEASIDE PARK Puistotie 32, 48100 Kotka 8 The Katariina Seaside Park is in the southernmost end of Kotkansaari and includes over TYÖMIEHENKATUMERIKATU 20 hectares set aside for parks and recreation. KORKEAVUORENKATU PUUTARHAKATU 17 PALOTORNINVUORI PARK Ruotsinsalmenkatu 23, 48100 Kotka 19 ETELÄPUISTOKATU KATU The lookout terrace of the park offers an excellent view of the legendary old harbour of LONG 6 Kotka. The Hietanen Harbour and the silhouette of the Sunila pulp mill designed by Alvar KYMENLAAKSONKATUDISTANCE JUHA VAINION KATU Aalto can be seen from the lookout terrace across the bay. KALLIOLAN-

16 21 HEIKINKATU 18 SIBELIUS PARK Mariankatu 12, 48100 Kotka 20 KOULUKATU

The Sibelius Park in the middle of Kotkansaari is a ‘green living room’ for residents. MUSEOKATU SILTATIE HAUKKAVUOREN 19 TOIVO PEKKANEN PARK Ruotsinsalmenkatu 4, 48100 Kotka OPINTIE 11 SAPOKKA 20 REDOUBT-KOTKA HERB GARDEN Haukkavuorenkatu 9, 48100 Kotka MERITUULENTIE The Herb Garden is established in a small restored fortification structure which used to MERINIEMENTIE TALLINNANKATU belong to the Ruotsinsalmi fortress. KATU TAMMIKATU KUUSINEN 21 RIVERSIDE PARK Urheilukatu 2, 48600 Kotka This park has handsome granite walls, ponds with water-lilies and splendid flower beds. 12 14 PUISTOTIE MERINIEMI

22 KUMPAREPUISTO PARK Muuralankuja 57, 48600 Kotka KUUSISENKATU The mounds in this six-hectare outdoor and recreation park rise to elevations of approx. 30, 35 and 45 metres from the sea level. The sea can be seen from the top of the second 23 24 10 9 minutes • 5 km highest mound. Active joy throughout the year! LEHMUSTIE 23 HAMINA BASTION AND FORTIFICATIONS, HISTORIC CENTRE The story of the historic circular city of Hamina goes all the dates to 1600. The circular PIHLAJATIE 24 plan of the old centre makes sure, that all attractions are just a short walk away. Circle around in museums, churches and cafés and meet the city and its history from the walls KUUSITIE surrounding the centre. The Hamina Bastion is a unique event arena linked to the central bastion that is covered by the largest summer canopy in Europe in springtime. KOTKA-HAMINA GOOD TO KNOW www.visithamina.fi, www.haminabastioni.fi TOURIST INFORMATION URHEILIJANKATU SERVICE LANGUAGES Finns have a good 25 HAMINA FLAG PARK tel. +358 40 135 6588 knowledge of English. There are also a lot [email protected] The international park and exhibition area, Flag Park, is being planned to introduce flags of Russian, Swedish, German and Spanish and the history of flags. As a main attraction, the world’s largest flag of Finland will be KOTKA SUMMER INFORMATION VAAHTERATIE speakers. hoisted to a flagpole in Hamina on 28 May 2018. The world’s tallest wooden flagpole will Kauppakatu 2, Kotka be a landmark visible when arriving in Hamina, from any direction. 26 27 Open from 01.06 to 18.08. KATARIINA CURRENCY Euro € HAMINA 26 TERVASAARI Tervasaari, 49400 Hamina Mon - Fri 10 AM - 6 PM and Sat 10 AM - 3 PM All common credit cards accepted. The island of Tervasaari serves as a beautiful park area for picnics or hunting Pokémon! HAAPATIE In summertime, the guest harbour offers comprehensive services to sailors. The area is HAMINA SUMMER INFORMATION MÄNTYKATU TIME ZONE +2 GMT equipped with mooring stations, boat station, beach and a café. Flag Tower, Kaivokatu 6, Hamina SHOPPING Stores have extensive opening HAMINA TOURIST INFORMATION PAJUTIE 27 PORTIMO PATHS Vehkarinteentie 99, 49370 Hamina Katariinanpolku walking path hours, almost every day of the year from These hiking paths wind between the villages. There’s a total of 40 km available to hik- SpaHotel Hamina, Sibeliuskatu 32, Hamina 9 AM to 9 PM. Tax-free and invoice. ers. The multi-faceted hiking destination also has available lean-to accommodation, an Open: Mon-Sat 8 AM - 8 PM ATM-s available. observation tower and of course, wonderful views alongside the paths. MANSIKKALAHTI PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 28 SALPA LINE MUSEUM Säästöpirtintie 70, 49700 Miehikkälä ÖLJYSATAMANTIE @visitkotkahamina Good public connections. BUNKER MUSEUM Vaalimaantie 1318, 49960 Ala-Pihlaja 29 www.vr.fi, www.matkahuolto.fi SALPA TRAIL Virolahti ja Miehikkälä 30 31 #visitkotkahamina 30 One of the greatest efforts of independent Finland is the Salpa Line. The fortified line was TAXI tel. +358 100 87227 built to defend the Eastern border during the last wars and as an internationally significant www.facebook.com/visitkotkahamina Taxis are conveniently available. monument it has been compared to the French Maginot Line. Tourists can learn about the All common credit cards accepted. Salpa Line’s fortifications in the Virolahti Bunker Museum or the Salpa Line Museum in Miehikkälä. The Salpa Trail offers an excellent natural setting for outdoor exercise and re- freshment in South-eastern Finland’s beautiful nature. A 43-kilometre hiking route run- EMERGENCIES ning along the Salpa Line, the Salpa Trail familiarises hikers with both the Salpa Line and Common emergency number: 112 the wonderful nature and cultural environment of South-East Finland. www.salpakeskus.fi 31 HARJUN HOVI Katariinankuja 19, 49980 Ravijoki The idyllic manor environment invites tourists to visit the historic countryside. The area’s 16 horse training centre provides a wonderful experience. www.harjunopk.fi VARISSAARI publisher: Cursor design: Nitroid print: Grano pictures: Vesa Hovi, Jukka Koskinen, Tommi Mattila, Juha Metso, Lukas Pearsall, Pekka Vainio, Jari Varpenius, Rurik Wasastjerna, VIROLAHTI, MIEHIKKÄLÄ Timo Vesterinen, photo banks from towns and businesses translation: Nitroid / kielimuuli.fiInformation compiled in January 2018. Information is subject to change.