Attractions

The new Varkauden museokeskus Konsti, which will open in spring 2024 at the Tehtaan koulu, will house the Museum of Varkaus and the Art Museum of Varkaus. This unpretentious pop-up has also been joined by some great company: the whimsical Lasten tehdas, which will introduce children and the playful to the industrial heritage of the Varkaus region.

The stunning facilities of the Museokeskus Konsti are currently under construction in the idyllic Old Varkaus area, under the walls of the Karl Lindahl-designed Tehtaan koulu, completed in 1924. The doors to the Konsti will open in style next spring as the building celebrates its 100th birthday.

Also check out:
Piipun juurella - a joint collections database of the Varkaus, Forssa and Valkeakoski museums
saranat.fi - Cultural environment online
mobile routes to the history of Varkaus

VARKAUDEN MUSEOKESKUS KONSTI
Satakunnankatu 1, 78300 Varkaus
Tel. 040 769 1010
konsti@varkaus.fi

www.varkaus.fi/konsti
facebook.com/varkaudenmuseokeskusKonsti

The Museum of Mechanical Music is a unique attraction in Varkaus.
It ranks among the best of its kind in Europe and is cited in foreign
in foreign travel guidebooks as one of the top ten places to visit in Finland. The Museum of Mechanical Music fast-paced guided tour, peppered with funny stories, showcases some 400 amazing instruments, displayed in large halls decorated according to their era.

The collection of instruments is astonishing; music boxes, automatic pianos and orchestras, violins and accordions, and posettis from the small table model to the to the huge Amadeus. The grandest of them all is the largest in the world orchestra, the 75-piece Popper Goliath. Every year, the museum's staff renovate new gadgeds to the show.

The guided tour of the museum lasts about an hour, so those coming for the last tour are encouraged to arrive an hour before closing time. Opening hours on the museum's website, see contact details below.

You might run into something unexpected at the Museum of Mechanical Music.
The museum is also home to Iivo the parrot.

Museum of Mechanical Music
Pelimanninkatu 8
78850 Varkaus
tel. 050 590 9297
info@mekaanisenmusiikinmuseo.fi
www.mekaanisenmusiikinmuseo.fi
facebook.com/MecanicMusicMuseum

Welcome to experience the Aalto at Saimaa in Varkaus!

We recommend a self-guided tour with the Aalto Varkaus map brochure or the Story Player mobile guide www.tarinasoitin.fi/varkausaalto

In Varkaus, you can explore the old industrial town where Alvar Aalto left his handprint. He started as a factory designer in Varkaus in the mid-1930s, a role he held for a decade. There were also several plans that never came to fruition. You can also see other old buildings in the city, explore the nature of the Lake Saimaa region and Savonian cuisine.

Alvar Aalto, who was at the forefront of functionalism, was designing for a more progressive and egalitarian society. In the 1940s, reconstruction and its rational implementation also became an important goal. In Varkaus, Aalto's pen produced designs for industrial buildings, zoning plans and homes for ordinary people. The Varkaus house factory produced hundreds of type houses designed by Aalto all over Finland.

Varkaus's industrial history, which goes back more than 200 years, is visible in the everyday life of the town. Over the years, the city has successfully created a number of industries, including a potter's and machine shop, shipbuilding, wood processing and paper industry. Today, Varkaus is also known for its expertise in energy technology.

What was once an old industrial area has been transformed into a centre for modern fishing. In Varkaus, you can enjoy environmentally friendly rainbow trout grown in the waters of Lake Saimaa.

The history of industry is complemented by the Museum of Mechanical Music, which presents the international history of mechanical music from the 19th century to the present day.

For information on other Alvar Aalto sites in Finland visit.alvaraalto.fi

The museum displays material and tools related to tattoo culture from around the world. One of the museum's founders is William Robinson from Liverpool, UK, and the other is Janne Penttinen, owner of Savo Terror Tattoo studio in Varkaus. William Robinson has been collecting tattooing history material for decades and the museum also has rare items on display. A tattoo studio is attached to the museum.

The museum is open from Monday to Saturday.

Admission €5 (cash only for now)

Guided tour (schedules permitting) 10€

Tattoo Museo - Varkaus Tattoo Museum
Savontie 117
tel. 040 848 3371
Facebook/Tattoo Museum - Varkaus Tattoo Museum

Kämäri Nature Trail

The new bridges on the Kämäri were built in 2021 to connect green corridors and allow for a variety of access along the rapids. These bridges provide access across the two rapids Kattilakoski and Linnakoski. In addition, work will start in summer 2022 on a fish ladder and spawning area that will mimic a natural lake.

The beautiful island of Kämäri is located between Ämmäkoski and the historic Taipale canal area. A nature trail leads through deciduous groves to rapids over bridges that cross two rapids. After the bridges, the trail continues to the right along the older bridge, following the shore. The path ends on Rehnströminkatu near the ice rinks.

The nature of the island is varied and the fauna is abundant. Varkaus's national animal, the otter, lives in the area and decaying deciduous trees have also attracted the white-tailed teal to the area in winter. Ämmänkoski and Kämärinkoski have their own insect and fish worlds. The stream-like Kämärinkoski is a natural fishway built for salmonids to rise.

Introduction & video from the Kämäri Nature Trail / Outdooractive

*Length 4.4 km, estimated walking time 1 h 10 min, level of difficulty easy
. *Start and parking at Navitas car park, Wredenkatu 2
*No winter maintenance
*Please note: The Ämmäkoski dam automatically regulates the flow of the river and the water level can change suddenly. It is not safe to move around in the bed of a dry stream. There is camera surveillance in the area. The fishing pier on the northern bank of the route is for the exclusive use of the fishing club. The dock may be slippery.

The dock is only used by the fishing club.

The 98 hectare area of the Kämäri is divided into three distinct parts based on activity; a nature area, a sports area and a canal area.

History

The history of the canal goes back a long way, as Varkaus' difficult rapids naturally became stopping and supply points. The rapids were fishable and in the 1500s the area became home to the Kruunukalastamo under the Olavinlinna Castle. Salmon were stocked in the rapids and special salmon-farming ponds were built.

A man surnamed Kämäräinen established a water mill on the site before the mid-1750s, and the mill site came to be called Kämärinkoski. The completion of the Taipale Canal in 1840 was significant for the Kämäräinen area (at that time Myllysaari). In 1856, Alexander II ordered the establishment of a town in the Kämäri area. The town of Koskenniemi would have been located on both sides of the Taipale Canal and bordered by Ämmäkoski. The town plan was drawn up in 1857 by the surveyor Carl Rehnström, but the project was never realised.

Built in the 1930s, the dance hall operated on Kämäri until the 1970s. The Lottakahvila, or Sampola, was completed in 1939 and is now owned by the Scouts. A. Ahlström Oy commissioned architect Yrjö Lindegren to design the Kämäri Sports Park. With this design, "The Centre of Athletics", he won the gold medal for architecture at the 1948 London Olympic Art Competition. It included a sports field, grandstand, marathon track and swimming pool.

Over the years, Kämäri has developed into a popular sports and local recreation area. In addition to the nature trail, the area has a swimming beach, a sandpit, an artificial ice rink and two ice rinks. Ice hockey, hockey and baseball matches are played on the rink.

On the other side of the sports area is a canal area. The Taipale canal connects the Unnukka and Haukivesi rivers, whose water levels differ by 4.6-6 m. The canal, about 500 m long, was built in 1962-67. The old stone canal, built in 1835-40, has been preserved as an attraction. The Canal Museum and the Canal Trail present the history of the area. The Taipale Visitor Harbour is located above the canal.

Taipale Canal Museum
The turmoil of the Ämmäkoski on video

In the canal area of Taipale, you can explore the more than 180-year-old museum canal and follow shipping traffic along the working canal. The history of the canal is presented both in the canal museum and on the canal path and new mobile route around the area. Via Canalia, the canal museum's main exhibition, tells the history of canal building in North Savonia and water traffic. During the summer there are also temporary exhibitions on the canal.

In addition, the canal's unique setting is home to the Musiikkikahvila Kukkakeidas , which, as its name suggests, serves café delicacies accompanied by live piano, violin and vocal music. As well as selling flowers, the café is responsible for the art exhibition in the canal's outdoor building and for the farm animals that roam the grounds. 

Taipale Canal Museum and Luotsi Museum Shop 
Open:every day in summer from 10:00 to 18:00 
Free admission!

See Timo Heinonen's atmospheric photos: The beauty of the old canal in Taipale

Contact
Taipaleen kanava, Kanavakatu 1
78250 Varkaus
tel. 044 444 2366
taipaleen.kanavamuseo@varkaus.fi

MUSEUM ASSISTANT

(Customer service and guided tours of museums, museum sales and information)
Anne Puurunen

anne.puurunen@varkaus.fi

Tel. 040 588 1009

info@kukka-keidas.fi

Website: kukka-keidas.fi

Facebook

Website: Taipaleen kanavamuseo
Facebook: facebook.com/taipaleenkanava

Taidekeskus Väinölä is an idyllic wooden house in the centre of Varkaus, surrounded by birch trees. Three gallery rooms; Valkoinen sali - Sininen hetki - Iltarusko - host changing art exhibitions throughout the year. The house also houses a large basic collection of prints, watercolours and sculptures. Väinölä has a professional framing studio and a shop selling artists' supplies and posters. Visitors can take a break in the cosy café, where they can enjoy a home-baked art cake, among other things, while enjoying their art.

In summer, Väinölä becomes home to the popular ILOA - Naivistit Varkaudessa exhibition.

In addition, the Väinölä will host PUPPET THEATRE PERFORMANCES. The theatre puppets and the set were created by puppet theatre educator Marja-Muusa Hämäläinen, who will also perform the story.

KALAKUKKO-KATUJUNA is also at home in the Taidekeskus Väinölä. The tours will be hosted by Marja-Muusa Hämäläinen. The Kalakukko-katujuna makes charter trips in the summer. The train is covered, the windows are open and the capacity is 30 people. Themed guided tours can be arranged if required.

Originally built in 1913 by A. Ahlström Ltd., Väinölä is a log two-family dwelling house that served as housing for officials until 1983. The building's original name, Väinölä, has been preserved with great value as it has been transformed into a stronghold of fine arts in the city of Varkaus.

Taidekeskus Väinölä
Ahlströminkatu 8-10, 78250 Varkaus
tel. 0400 487 401
info@taidekeskusvainola.fi
www.taidekeskusvainola.fi
www.facebook.com/Taidekeskus-Väinölä

During the summer, the Terassikahvila Torni is open at the top of the Water Tower in Varkaus. Guests can enjoy the magnificent views while sitting on cushioned terrace chairs and sofas and enjoying the specials. Live green plants create the atmosphere and there are sun loungers for lounging. Warming blankets are provided for the café for cooler days.

The Terassikahvila Torni is free of charge and accessible by invisible lift. There is seating for 50 people, so a large group can be accommodated at one time. A new glass-walled terrace for around 30 people is open in all weathers.

Coffee, refreshments, ice cream and soft drinks, as well as sweet and savoury coffee sandwiches are available. The speciality of the tower is a variety of savoury and sweet waffles.

The café can also be booked for your own events.

Opening hours
May and September weekends and other days in good weather. 
Every day from June to August.
At other times, all year round on request.
See more detailed opening hours: Facebook/ Terassikahvila-Torni

Terassikahvila Torni
Nakskovinkatu 8
78200 Varkaus
tel. 040 5040 204
tel. 040 658 9805
tarja.mikkonen@kisapuisto.fi
www.kisapuisto.fi
Facebook/Terassikahvila-Torni

The Nature Church is located on Harjuranta on the Joenmäki mountain. The church was built in 2000 on land leased from the municipality on almost the highest point of the mountain. The church was consecrated by Bishop Wille Riekkinen. The church is free for everyone to use. The church seats about 40 people inside, making it an ideal place for small family events, for example. The hundreds of names and positive comments in the Nature Church guest book show that there is a real need for a place like this. Every year during Christmas week, the village association organises a traditional Christmas Peace Celebration at the Nature Church.

The Peisin laavu is located next to the church and is used by hikers, visitors to the church and event organisers.
The Peis Training and Nature Trail is a 4.3-kilometre-long trail near the church and the Peis lava.
See the Peis Trail introduction on the Hiking Place service 
The mobile trail can be downloaded as an app from the Play Store and App Store.

Peis Immonen Cave is also located on Mount Joenmäki. According to family lore, a lone male character named Peis lived in this cave during the summers in the early 1900s. There are some very funny stories about Peis. According to one of them, he used to move about on skis, even in summer. Nowadays, Peis is awakened to his kingdom if groups coming to see the cave deposit place an order in good time.

Photographer Timo Heinonen captured the beauty of the church and surrounding nature in November 2011, see the images here.

HARJURANNAN LUONTOKIRKKO
Harjurannan kyläyhdistys
harjuranta.blogspot.com

Warkauden Kassiopeia ry, an astronomy hobby association, has built a versatile camping and leisure destination in the middle of the Savonian wilderness in Kangaslampi. The Härkämäki area includes a star tower, a cottage and a lodge, as well as a new clubhouse, which is ideal for meetings, events and family tourism.

Härkämäki Astronomical Tower is equipped with modern telescopes and accessories. The observatory's location 160 metres above sea level in a spot completely free of light pollution provides an ideal setting for stargazing. The views from the hill are breathtaking and the visibility from the tower to the south is almost perfect.

See comets, planets and thousands of deep-sky objects with your own eyes!
It's an experience of a lifetime to see the rings of Saturn, the gas belts of Jupiter, the galaxy of Andromeda or even the numerous craters of our nearest neighbour, the Moon, with your own eyes. Sometimes you can even see comets in our skies, whose tails have always fascinated people.The numerous galaxies give you an idea of what our own Milky Way is like and the environment in which our own solar system is located. Our Milky Way objects include many star clusters, the gas nebulae of nascent stars and the remnants of dead stars such as planetary nebulae and supernova remnants.

The Public Shows of the Warkauden Kassiopeia are held weekly during the dark months of the year at Härkämäki, with weather reservations. The public shows can be seen here on the calendar.On request, they can be arranged for visiting groups interested in astronomical phenomena at a time to be agreed.

There is a 1300 m nature trail on the Observatory site, with science-themed activity grids. Härkämäki's terrain is an ideal place for excursions during the thaw
hiking or snowshoeing in winter.
Härkämäki Observatory nature trail map

The observatory is located about 30 km from the centre of Varkaus.

Warkauden Kassiopeia ry
Warkauden Kassiopeia ry
Härkämäentie 88, 79480 Kangaslampi
Tel. 040 701 1625
warkauden.kassiopeia@ursa.fi
https://www.kassiopeia.net/

Paul Wahl's factories built a residential and reception building in 1858 for Sanfrid Theofron Hällström, a factory doctor. According to a floor plan in a memoir written by Hällström's youngest son, Johannes (Hannes) Hällström in 1942, the main building had seven rooms, including a doctor's reception room and a waiting room.

Mrs. Anna Hällström enjoyed nature. In the courtyard there was not only a kitchen garden, but also flower beds and ornamental shrubs. Special features were the plants sown on the lawn, the seeds of which had been brought from the botanical gardens in Helsinki by Johannes's fellow students. The rarities were still growing in 1941!

These were the first of the rare plants to be planted in the gardens of Johann Sebastian's nursery, which had been planted by his students in 1988.

Hällström and his wife Anna Katarina Lovisa Hällström had four sons. The musical tradition of both families continued in the house. Sanfrid played a lot of music with his sons and Anna taught piano to the children of the gentry. The house served as a health centre and in many ways as a musical and cultural centre for the community.

Today the property belongs to the Warkaus-seura ry and is used as a local history centre. The former doctor's residence and the old farmhouse have been restored to their original appearance. The house is used as a venue for various events, meetings and family celebrations.

Varkauden Kotiseutukeskus
Wredenkatu 4, 78250 Varkaus
(017) 552 8889
info@varkaus-seura.fi
www.warkaus-seura.fi

The Kivikuru of Jäppilä is a rocky and bladder field formed by the continental ice sheet, suitable for self-hiking. The area is an unusually large quarry for southern Finland. It has good acoustics and has hosted concerts. The final concert of the Varkauden KesäKlassinen was held in July 2017 in the stunning scenery of the stone cove. The changing photos on the right-hand side of the page are from the event, taken by Vesa Harinen.

Jäppilä's Kivikuru is located on the road from Jäppilä to Leppävirta via Sorsakoski. It has been selected by the Finnish League for Nature Conservation as one of Finland's 100 natural treasures.

http://100luontohelmea.fi/

Jäppilä Kivikuru is part of the Watershed Route.

Peis Immonen Cave is located on Joenmäki mountain near the Harjuranta nature trail. According to tradition, a solitary male character named Peis lived in this cave during the summer in the early 1900s. There are some very funny stories about Peis. According to one of them, he used to move about on skis, even in summer. The treasure chest with the keys that Peis hid is still missing...

Photographer Timo Heinonen photographed the surroundings and nature trail of Harjuranta Nature Church in November 2011. Peis Immonen's cave deposit can also be seen in the photos. The photos can be seen here.

Map of Peis Immonen cave and other Harjuranta's places

Harjurannan kyläyhdistys
Tel. 046 845 7213 
harjuranta.blogspot.com

CHURCHES OF VARKAUS

Evangelical Lutheran church, Varkauden pääkirkko
Designed by architect Martti Paalanen, the Varkauden pääkirkko was completed on the eve of the Winter War in 1939. The altar fresco "Tulkoon sinun valtakuntasi", painted by Professor Lennart Segerstråhle in 1953-1954, is a remarkable work of art, covering an area of 240 square metres, making it one of the largest altar frescoes in the Nordic countries.
Varkauden pääkirkko is open daily during the summer, but at other times only during events and by appointment.

Contact information:
Savontie 1
tel. 040 749 0306
Presentation reservations: tel. +358 40 702 7748
www.varkaudenseurakunta.fi

Orthodox Church
Completed in 1958, the church was designed by architect Kalevi Väyrynen and dedicated to the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The altar table of the church is from the old monastery of Valamo.
Varkaus Orthodox Church is open by appointment.

Contact information:
Relanderinkatu 5,
tel. +358 40 502 1838/ tel. 050 599 2692
www.ortsaimaa.net

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kangaslampi
Designed by architect Kaj Michael, the church represents modern architecture. Completed in 1973, the church's main attraction is Eeva Ryynänen's wooden altarpiece "Elämänpuut". The church also houses artefacts salvaged from the ruins of a wooden church that burned down in 1972. On display is a bookcase made in the early 1600s.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kangaslampi is open during events and at other times by appointment.

Contact information:
Asematie 1, 79480 Kangaslampi
tel. +358 40 737 0684
www.varkaudenseurakunta.fi

Harjuranta Nature Church
The nature church is located on Mount Joenmäki. The church was built in 2000 almost on the highest point of the mountain on land leased from the municipality. The church was consecrated by Bishop Wille Riekkinen. Every year, the village association organises a traditional Christmas peace proclamation at the Nature Church during Christmas week.
The church is free for everyone to use. It seats about 40 people, making it an ideal place for small family events.

Photographer Timo Heinonen captured the natural beauty of the church and the surrounding nature in November 2011, see here.

Harjurannan kyläyhdistys ry (harjuranta.blogspot.com)

tel. 046 845 7213

harjurannan.kylayhdistys@gmail.com

The Church of St. George
The Church of St. George represents the Karelian and northern Russian church building tradition and has quickly become a pilgrimage destination and tourist attraction. The church was built in memory of Yuri Injushin and in praise of God, and works in cooperation with the Saimaa Orthodox parish. It is open to all.

Contact information:
Kaitaistentie 345, 79690 Kaitainen
tel. 044 725 7548
info@stgeorge.fi
www.stgeorge.fi

MONASTERYS

Valamo Monastery
Valamo Monastery is a living centre of Orthodox religious life and culture. For the modern man, the monastery's tranquil atmosphere and surrounding nature offer a unique opportunity to relax far from the hustle and bustle. Located in the beautiful Heinävesi area, the monastery welcomes visitors all year round and offers a hotel, guest house, restaurant, souvenir shop and wine shop. Valamo Monastery also organises guided tours, exhibitions, wine tours and even boat cruises for visitors.

Contact information:
Valamontie 42, 79850 Uusi-Valamo
tel. (017) 570 111 / sales tel. (017) 5701 810
myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi
www.valamo.fi

Lintula Monastery
Lintula Nunnery is located in the municipality of Heinävesi, in the village of Palokki. The Lintula Monastery was founded in 1894, when the secret governor F.P.Neronov donated a farm in the village of Lintula on the Karelian Isthmus to establish the monastery. The first phase of this women's monastery, the Lintula Community of the Holy Trinity of Women, was actually founded in 1895, but the name was later changed to the monastery. The name Lintula Monastery comes from the nearby village and river. The current head of the monastery, the igumenia, is Mother Marina. Lintula Monastery serves tourists daily from June to August and by appointment in May and September to October. There is a café, a souvenir shop, guest rooms and monastery tours.

Contact information:
Honkasalontie 3, 79830 Palokki
tel. +358 40 485 7603
lintulan.luostari@ort.fi
www.lintulanluostari.fi

Rising on a high ridge, the "Manttu" mantelpiece house stands out in the landscape of Kangaslampi town centre. Designed by architect Oiva Kallio, the white plastered preservation house was completed between 1923 and 1926. Just before the inauguration ceremony, a fire destroyed the building. After the accident, it was decided to build the house even higher.

The house of the Foundation has served several purposes. The building, originally intended to be the house of the Protectorate, was used for meetings of the Municipal Council until 1937. The building has also served as a district court, school and savings bank offices, a municipal hall and an artist's studio. When the Protectorate was dissolved in 1944, the building became the property of the municipality of Manttu. The Manttaalisäätiö gave the building its nickname, "Manttu".

In 1990, the building became the property of the municipality of Kangaslampi, and when Kangaslampi was transferred to Varkaus, Manttu moved with it. In 2020, Manttu was taken over by private owners. In the yard of the building there are two courtyard buildings, one of which is a stable designed by Oiva Kallio, which was converted into a residential building in the 1940s. The other outbuilding was built during the war as storage and sauna facilities.

Inquiries tel. 0400 470 377

The Kangaslampi koti- ja koulumuseo is maintained by the Kangaslammin kyläyhdistys. The building of the Koti-ja koulumuseo has an interesting history, having been built at the turn of the last century and having previously housed, among other things, Adolf Markkanen's shop, a café, a dairy, a police station and a municipal office.

Kangaslammin koti- ja koulumuseo
Kangaslammintie 1
79480 Kangaslampi
Contact person for Koti- ja koulumuseo matters and museum presentation outside opening hours:
Olli-Pekka Kähkönen, olli-pekka.kahkonen@hotmail.com
tel. 045 104 9664

Kangaslammin kyläyhdistys

The arched bridge over the Komminselkä, offers a magnificent view of the lake. It is one of the largest bridges in Finland, with a clear span of 24.5 metres and a length of 480 metres, completed in 1972.