Northern Karelia arkistot - Via Karelia

Ravintola Kielo

Ravintola Kielo kuvattu terassilta

Pittää syyvvä, että jaksaa. Yksi karjalaisuuden tärkeimpiä piirteitä on, että syödään hyvin. Pohjois-Karjala projektin ansiosta ruoasta on tullut kevyempää ja terveellisempää. Makuja osataan yhdistellä ja siksipä tarjoammekin sinulle kaksi eri vaihtoehtoa ruokailupaikaksi. Ravintola Kielo sijaitsee korttelin verran museolta kohti luterilaista kirkkoa. Kielossa ruoka valmistetaan perinteitä kunnioittaen, mutta se tuodaan nykyaikaan leikkimielisyydellä ja yllätyksellisyydellä. Ruokailu täällä…

P Church of Nicholas

Joensuun ortodoksinen kirkko

The journey continues towards the center, along a red-paved street. The color says that on that street, cyclists have the right to drive ahead. After the large office building, turn right towards St. Nicholas Church. The church stands on a small hill at the northern end of Kirkkokatu. From the southern end of the street…

Huoneistohotelli Lietsu

Lietsu hotellin kyltti

Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel Joensuu Joensuun kaupunki on perustettu 1848 Nikolai I toimiessa suomen ruhtinaana. Vaikka alueen läpi on aikojen saatossa kulkenut paljon erilaista väkeä, on karjalaisen kulttuurin vaikutus ollut aina näkyvissä kaupungin elämässä. Karjalaisuuden näkyminen vahvistui sotien jälkeen, kun 3500 evakkoa asettui asumaan Joensuuhun. Moni heistä rakensi itselleen talon Niinivaaran alueelle, jonka kadut nimettiin menetettyjen…

Pyhän Hannan kirkko

Pyhän Hannan kirkko

Sonkajanranta 50 km Joensuusta kääntyy vasemmalle Sonkajanrantaan, noin kymmenen kilometrin päässä sijaitsee Pyhän Hannan kirkko. Mäen päällä Sonkajanjärven rannalla luonnon kauniilla paikalla sijaitsee ortodoksisen rakennuskulttuurin helmi, Sonkajanrannan ortodoksinen kirkko. Sen on suunnitellut Valamon luostarin teknikkomunkki Gennadi ja se valmistui 1915. Yksi kirkon rakentamista edistänyt puuhamies oli Johannes Karhapää. Pyhä marttyyri ja tunnustaja Johannes Sonkajanrantalainen Sonkajanrannalla…

Pyhän Herman Alaskalaisen tsasouna

Pyhän Herman Alaskalaisen tsasounan sisäkuva

Kovero Toinen vaarakylä poikkeaa Ilomantsin tieltä oikealle Koveroon. Kyläraitin vieressä nököttää pikkuruinen Herman Alaskalaiselle pyhitetty tsasouna. Sen on alun alkaen rakennuttanut kirjailija Elina Karjalainen ja se siirrettiin Koveroon 2000-luvulla. Tsasouna on auki vierailijoita varten ja sen ikonit ovat erittäin kauniit Piispa Arsenin maalaamat. Oven yläpuolella on pieni muisto pyhäkön rakennuttajasta Uppo-Nallen muodossa. Koveron kylän läpi…

Kristuksen käsittätehdyn ikonin tsasouna

Heinävaara Koljolan koivikossa on pieni tsasouna, Joensuun suunnasta tultaessa tsasouna ilmestyy oikealta ja vähän yllättäen. Heinävaaralla on ollut ortodoksista asutusta jo 1600-luvulla, ennen kuin savolaiset ajoivat heidät alueelta pois. Tsasouna kuuluu perinteiseen karjalaiseen ortodoksiseen kylämaisemaan. Ne rakennettiin yleensä hirsistä ja toimivat kyläläisten yhteisenä kokoontumispaikkana läpi kirkkovuoden. Heinävaaran tsasounan on käsityönä rakentanut paikallinen taitaja Petri Piipponen.…

Kolvananuuro Nature Reserve

Level: (**) Two bears Kolvananuuro is a magnificent gorge, millions of years old, between main road 6 from Joensuu to Kajaani and road 73 from Joensuu to Lieksa. The site is dramatically different from the surrounding terrain. A demanding hiking trail runs through craggy terrain – but the views are worth seeing. The trees are…

Restaurant Kielo

Café Kauppaneuvos

Ahvenisen kesäkahvila

On road 518, between Eno and Lieksa, there’s a parking area, which has an idyllic summer café and patio. Fresh coffee and baked goods, and a beautiful scenery.

Kotileipomo Viipukka

Hurtan Holvi

Kylätalo Kukko, village activity centre

Kylätalo Kukko serves home-made food and Karelian pies in a traditional building.

Puukarin Pysäkki, Karelian Restaurant & Guesthouse

Ruoke Holiday Village

Monastery Restaurant Trapesa

Restaurant Trapesa serves seasonal dishes and baked goods in the monastery milieu. A delicious feast is served especially on weekends and in Easter.

Lieksan Leipomo – Bakery & Café

Restaurant Parppeinpirtti

Juhanantupa

Utran Uittotupa

Karjalantalo & Restaurant Kerubi

Maalaisleipomo Ilomäki

Maalaisleipomo Ilomäki is a country bakery that makes traditional Karelian pies. The milk used in the filling is from their own cows.

Winetower in Ilomantsi

Kestikievari Herranniemi

Café Houkutus

Café Houkutus – fresh baked goods and confectionery

Isäntärenki

Isäntärenki is a working farm, specialised in organic farming and sheep products. The lady of the house makes practical and artisan textiles from wool. Main attractions: traditional building, sheep, festive dishes on demand, high-quality woven products.

Ilomantsi

Ilomantsi is known for its happy people, as well as its location as the easternmost continental municipality in Finland and in the EU. Ilomantsi has many sites of military history, and our national epic Kalevala comes alive here. The Orthodox faith is very prominent in Ilomantsi. The region is known for wilderness, apex predators and…

Kitee

The helm in the coat of arms refers to the first Finnish steam boat, Ilmarinen, launched in Puhos, Kitee in 1833. The area has had permanent inhabitants as early as in the 15th century. There are many marked nature trails, where you can get a good idea of the local nature: groves, ridges, lakes, and…

Lieksa

The coat of arms of the municipality has a peasant drawing a bow. This motif originates from a signet of the town of Brahea, from 1669. Lieksa was later built on the same site. Lieksa is located between Lake Pielinen and the Russian frontier. The main attractions are Koli and Ruunaa rapids. The peaks of…

Nurmes

The bear hunting spear heads in the coat of arms refer to old hunting practices, and to the peasant soldier Olli Tiainen, who went against persecutors. Nurmes is surrounded by vast, forested hills and the northern part of Lake Pielinen. On the outskirts of the town, the Bomba house and Karelian village show the many…

Tohmajärvi

The Tohmajärvi coat of arms has an anvil and a red flame, symbolising the old iron industry in the region. The municipality is characterised by forested hills and large mires. The grove zone of Lake Ladoga is very lush and impressive. The main cultural attraction is the region’s oldest wooden church in Kirkkoniemi, dating back…

Valtimo

Valtimo’s coat of arms has a wolf in upright position and seven gold coins. These refer to local folklore of Simo Hurtta and his brutal ways of collecting taxes. The northernmost municipality in North Karelia is characterised by vast farmlands and wilderness, where the rugged peaks can be as high as 300 metres. Valtimo is…

Mujejärvi Hiking Area

Level (* *) Two bears The Mujejärvi area in Nurmes is perfect for hikers after some peace and quiet. The area is close to Peurajärvi Recreational Area, but on the eastern side of road 75. Nature, however, is different from that surrounding lake Peurajärvi. On the western side, you can find the rugged ravine of…

Peurajärvi Recreational Area

Level: (* *) two bears Peurajärvi is the go-to place for families. The area is small and quiet enough for a day-trip, but there’s enough to see and do to spend a weekend: hiking, swimming, fishing and berry picking. The Mäntyjärvi lean-to and a hut near Iso-Valkeinen are available for overnight stays, and you can…

Raesärkät Trail

Level (*) One bear Raesärkät in Nurmes is a lovely spot for a day-trip in a scenery of rolling ridges. The area has been named after a narrow stretch of ridges running from north-west to south-east. Other attractions include peaceful mires, river bends and old forestland with plenty of wildlife. Raesärkät has been appreciated by…

Koli National Park

Level: (* * *) Three bears The scenery over lake Pielinen from the top of Koli is one of the most Finnish sights you can imagine. The area is also introduced on this site among the cultural landscapes, because Koli has been selected as one of the national landscapes of Finland. The view form the…

Ukonsärkkä

Level: ( * ) one bear Ukonsärkkä in the very eastern part of Lieksa is perfect for a day trip. There’s a lovely ridge and old forests. Ukonsärkkä is a treasure that needs to be found – a spot well worth visiting. There’s plenty of peace and quiet, even though you may meet other hikers…

Änäkäinen Recreational Area

Level: (* *) two bears The Änäkäinen area in Lieksa has recreational fishing grounds surrounded by forests. Trees are logged only moderately and respecting the recreational values. The area is closely linked to the battles in the Winter War, and some Salpa Line fortifications were built here during the interim peace. When taking a break…

Reposuo Area

Level: (*) one bear Reposuo is a valuable bird area and a mire conservation site by the Pankakoski village. It’s a great place for observing bird nesting habits and migrating birds. Reposuo is a prime example of the diverse swamp nature in North Karelia. The terrain in the Reposuo area is full of surprises. An…

Pieni Ritojärvi Lake

Level: (*) one bear Pieni Ritojärvi lake is a lovely destination for a day trip. The round trip trail, Ritojärven kierto (5.2 km), is a nice way to see all the prettiest sights on the area in one go. The round trip trail meanders through swamps, forests and ridges around the lake. There’s a lean-to…

Ruunaa Nature Reserve

Level (*) One bear The Ruunaa Nature Reserve, right next to the Russian border, on the other side of the Ruunaa Hiking Area and the Lieksajoki river, is mainly untouched forest land. More than a half of the reserve is on the border zone, accessible only with the border guard’s permission. The core of the…

Ruunaa Hiking Area

Level: (* *) two bears Ruunaa is best known for its rapids. The rapids on the Lieksanjoki river take you from Matkalahti to Ruunaa Nature Centre in Naarajoki over some 30 km. White-water rafting is commercially available on a rubber raft or a wooden boat. Tens of thousands of people visit the area every year.…

Petkeljärvi National Park

Level: (* * *) Three bears The Petkeljärvi National Park in Ilomantsi is the smallest one in Finland, but it’s packed with the best examples of ridges, pine heaths and lakeside nature. The park area has never been a battle site, even though there are old trenches and a restored dugout. Nearby Oinassalmi and Möhkö,…

Patvinsuo National Park

Level: * * * (three bears) Have you ever wandered on a large swamp? It’s an experience worth having. The size of the Patvinsuo swamp makes its horizon look like that of a vast lake with many islands. The landscape is decorated with vast expanses of swamp, their colours changing by the season, hills with…

Joensuu Bunker Museum

Joensuu Bunker Museum is Marjala district, some 7 km from the city centre toward Kuopio. There’s a sign guiding to the museum at the Marjala interchange. The museum exhibits the structure of the Salpa Line. Fortification of the Marjala area began on 27 August 1940. The intention was to build three concrete bunkers at the…

Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul

The chapel in Hattuvaara, Ilomantsi, is the only Karelian tsasovnja in the Finnish side of the border. The chapel was built in the turn of the 19th century. The log chapel was renovated in 1980. At the time, it was refurbished as suitable for year-round use.

Church in honour of Tikhvin Mother of God icon

Finished in 1906, the main church of Taipale orthodox parish is in Viinijärvi. The earlier church on the site, built in the 18th century, was the first church to start conducting church services regularly in Finnish language in 1858.

Transfiguration of Christ Church

The oldest church in the monastery was made of two sheds put together in 1940, to make up a temporary church for the brotherhood. The church is a reminder of Christians not having a permanent lodging on Earth and how they always are strangers in the world.