For some reason, I started talking about my express trip around Finland from the end. It's time to finish the April series of Finnish notes and walk around the city of Joensuu, where the trip started.
Many thanks to the organizers of the competition in which I won this “Finnish week”, as well as to everyone who helped us along the way!
To be honest, tours are not my forte, as I always travel on my own. Therefore, I was worried in advance that my husband and I would have to thwart the organizers’ plans and “escape to freedom” :) But there was plenty of it anyway, for which special thanks to everyone!
In this note:
How to get to Joensuu
There are about 440 kilometers between Joensuu and the capital of Finland. If you are traveling to Joensuu from Russia on the Moscow train "Leo Tolstoy" or St. Petersburg's "Allegro", then it's easier to drive to the city of Kouvola (which I talked about) and from there drive off to Joensuu. It will be faster and a little cheaper than getting through Helsinki.
Travelers from St. Petersburg probably know their secrets and easier routes.
Coming from Helsinki
Joensuu has its own airport, which accepts international and domestic flights. From Moscow or St. Petersburg Finnair flies here via Helsinki. The flight time from Helsinki to Joensuu will be approximately one hour.
The train ride will take 4.5 - 5.5 hours. Rail transport in Finland is not cheap: the cost of a one-way ticket in 2013 is about 70 € . You can view the train schedule for Helsinki - Joensuu and buy a ticket on the website of the Finnish carrier.
If you prefer buses, then get ready for 7-9 hours on the road. Bus schedules and routes can be found on the carrier's website.
Coming from Kouvola
You can view the Kouvola - Joensuu train timetable and buy a ticket on the website of the Finnish carrier. Travel time: 3-4 hours, depending on the availability of transfers. Ticket price in 2013: about 50-55 € .
General information about the city of Joensuu
So, Joensuu is the administrative center of the Finnish province of North Karelia. The name of the city is translated as "the mouth of the river" (" joen suu”), where it is located.
The Pielisjoki River ( Pielisjoki) actually cuts the city of Joensuu into two parts.
In the west and southwest, the city borders on the waters of a lake with a funny name for the Russian ear, Pyhäselkä ( Pyhaselka).
Here are skiers, turned into small dots on the horizon, winding circles on its frozen water.
If you describe the city in two photographs, then residential areas look like this:
And the central streets with shopping centers - like this:
But we will not stop there :) Therefore, we will settle in a hotel on the river bank and go to see what the Finns have prepared for us this time.
Sights of Joensuu: museums, churches, urban sculpture
On the left in the photo you can see our hotel. On the right is the oldest stone building in the city. Pielisjoen linna(literally: "Pielisjoki Castle"), built in 1852 on the site of an old granary.
Let's get closer. Once there were premises of the Ministry of Defense, then the building went to the University of Joensuu, and since 2006 the Regional Union of North Karelia has been based in the castle ( Pohjois-Karjalan maakuntaliitto).
On the other side of the bridge, at the highest point of the city of Joensuu, stands the building of the largest hospital in the region ( Pohjois-Karjalan keskussairaala), built in 1953.
Near the hotel is the railway station of the city ( Joensuun rautatieasema), discovered in 1894.
Old brick railway buildings have been preserved here.
Near the station, as usual, a locomotive is resting: VR-2 30s of the last century. He is called " Ankka" (in translation - "duck"). The locomotive was installed here in 1981. Reminds me of a city.
The Pielisjoki River divides the city into two parts. We cross the bridge, behind (on the right bank) there are new areas, a hospital and a train station, and in front is the city center.
The photo shows a small island in the center of the river, which is called Ilosaari(can be translated as "island of pleasure" or "island of joy"). Music festivals are held on its territory.
Technically, there are three miniature islands connected by a bridge. It was from here in 1971 that the famous Ilosaarirock(Finnish rock festival).
The main building of the central part of Joensuu is the town hall ( Joensuun kaupungintalo), built in 1914.
Now the local theater is based here.
Another important attraction of Joensuu is the quarter of craftsmen ( Taitokortteli). Art galleries and craft shops are located in these wooden houses.
The central square of the city turns into a big market on weekends. We came to her on a weekday.
In the background you can see the facade of the building in which the Carelicum- the cultural and tourist center of Joensuu, as well as a museum.
On the other side of the square is the Museum of Fine Arts ( Joensuun taidemuseo), founded in 1962 in the building of an old lyceum.
In front of the museum there are such decorative gates, on the end of which the names of the largest enterprises in the region are written.
To prevent snow from interfering with winter walks, a heated street was built in Joensuu Kauppakatu.
The city pleased with the abundance of street sculpture. My new passion is to crawl through the snow to the next monument, and then figure out where it came from and who its author is.
This sculpture is called Susi kosiomatkalla' or shortly ' Kosiosusi" (can be translated as: "a wolf offering a place"). I didn’t have to crawl to him, since the comrade is sitting on one of the benches right on the central square.
Nearby hung such a vendace fish (" Ukko-muikku”), installed here in 2008. Its author is Lasse Kuurila ( Lasse Kuurila).
On one of the pavilions of the market square, since 2009, birds called "Tuulentuivertamat" (can be translated as: "blown by the wind") have been sitting. Their authors are again Lasse Kuurila and Ninka Reitu-Kuurila ( Lasse Kuurila, Ninka Reittu-Kuurila).
The city also has its own "Statue of Liberty" (" Vapaudenpatsas"). It was cast in Budapest in 1922 and installed here a year later.
But before this character had to tread a path in deep snow. The bronze boy is installed next to the city hall of Joensuu. The sculpture is called Ryhtipatsas»(the name can be translated as "pose"). On the pedestal is written something like this: "To the winning city for the competition organized in 1952-1957."
Sculptor - Uno Aro ( Uno Aro), 1955.
In the first version of this note, I asked for help with the name and name of the sculptor. Many thanks to those who responded for the hint!
But this female figure (" Kanavatyttöpatsas") was founded in 1965. Author - Taisto Martiskainen ( Taisto Martiskainen). I will also try to unearth the history.
I did not have time to recognize this monument. I will find and add. I would be grateful for a hint!
On the bank of the river, near the same island, which I have already talked about above, there is such a sculptural composition “ Ruuhkanpurkajat» created in 1965 and dedicated to timber rafters. Its author is Oskari Jauhiainen ( Oskari Jauhiainen).
There is a double-headed eagle on the neighboring shore, but this time I didn’t master the meter-long snowdrifts, so the picture is from afar.
There is a gateway here.
And the drawbridge across the city canal ( Joensuun kanava).
Under it, the locals practice their arts.
Great Bridge over Pielisjoki ( Suvantosilta) - adjustable. On the other side you can see the tallest building in the city of Joensuu - a residential 12-story "skyscraper".
The bottom of the bridge looks like this:
There is a lot of April snow on the embankment, and frozen boats are resting.
Joensuu, like most Finnish cities, has a street Kirkkokatu(literally: "Church Street"). In the north, it rests on the Orthodox Church, and in the south - on the Lutheran. Birch trees are planted around. In general, it looks like .
Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas ( Pyhan Nikolaoksen kirkko) was built in 1887. By the way, the city of Joensuu was founded by the Russian Emperor Nicholas I in 1848.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Joensuu ( Joensuun evankelis-luterilainen kirkko) was built in 1903.
On the other side of the church there is a park and a descent to the river. Here they go sledding.
Beauty inside the church:
Climbing up the spiral staircase:
And here is beauty too:
There are bibles and church songbooks on the shelves.
Opposite the church there is such a house with an interesting clock.
All the buildings of Joensuu will not fit in this note, I will show you two more.
Arena Joensuu ( Joensuu Areena) opened here in 2003. This is a big concert venue.
And famous Metla- building of the Finnish Forest Research Institute, built in 2004.
In this part of the city, on the shore of Lake Pyhäselkä, there is a concert venue. In the warm season, the audience is seated in the rows of the amphitheater (seen behind the trees).
Now, under the April snow, this place looks like this:
Skiers are passing by, hurrying to the ice of a many-kilometer lake.
Boats sleep on the banks of the Pyhäselkä. Some of them are even toothy:
Finally, I advise lovers of milk joys to look at the local factory Valio
Joensuu from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Joensuu.
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This city is also convenient for those who, living in the northwestern region of the Russian Federation, like to spend their weekends in Finland. For example, a car trip from St. Petersburg will take about five and a half hours if you drive along the A129 highway (about 400 km). If you are coming from Russia, after Nuijamaa in Lappeenranta you turn onto route 6, which will lead to Joensuu. There is also a direct bus from St. Petersburg (from the bus station) once a week.
City buses connect the center with the outskirts, they run once an hour. The center can be explored on foot.
Search for flights to Helsinki (nearest airport to Joensuu)
Weather in Joensuu
Shopping and shops Joensuu
As you know, residents of the north-west of Russia not only often spend their days of rest in Finland, but also go here for shopping. The shopping centers of Imatra and Lapeeranta have long been chosen by residents of St. Petersburg, and lately Russian buyers have been increasingly found in large shopping centers in Finnish cities, more distant from the borders with Russia. Joensuu is one of those cities.
The largest shopping center in this city, Iso Muyu, offers customers a wide selection of products, household chemicals, household goods, clothing, shoes and accessories at affordable prices. It would be strange to come here for luxury goods, but good things produced by Scandinavian designers and the food industry in Finland are very widely represented in this store.
From products, tourists usually buy fresh fish from local reservoirs, salted or smoked according to traditional Finnish recipes.
Fans of cooking at home also pay attention to sets of spices for cooking fish, hoping to bring some particular recipe they like to life in their kitchen. Usually it turns out very tasty, but... Apparently, the air of Finland contains some mysterious components, thanks to which dishes, fish cooked in this country have a special taste and aroma. It should be noted that when buying fish delicacies, gourmets should not lose sight of customs regulations: fish and meat products must be vacuum-packed, their weight must not exceed 5 kg, and the total weight of exported goods must not exceed 50 kg (only seems like a lot...). In most cases, Finnish customs officers are loyal to those who like to eat Finnish fish, but anything can happen.
Popular hotels in Joensuu
Entertainment and attractions Joensuu
Being located on the northern shore of Lake Pyhaselkä, surrounded by dense forests, the city is hardly of interest to fans of urban tourism, and even more so - to lovers of antiquities. There are few attractions here. First of all, it is worth visiting the city Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 2002, she underwent a major overhaul, after which she appeared before the residents of the city and tourists in an updated, even brighter appearance. The church was built by the architect Josef Stenbeck in the Neo-Gothic style and is open for viewing from June 5 to August 28 daily from 11 am to 7 pm, the rest of the year - from Monday to Thursday from 4 pm to 6 pm, and after Sunday services - until 1 pm.
No less interesting is the church of St. Nicholas, which was built in 1887. The iconostasis for this church was made and painted in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. Divine services are held here at 18:00 on Saturdays and at 10:00 on Sundays. You can visit the church from 14.6 to 13.8 from Monday to Friday from 10 to 16 hours. There is an icon shop in the church.
The church of St. John the Theologian operates at the seminary. The traditions of Byzantine church architecture were followed by the creators of this church. It is interesting in that here everyone is allowed to attend the services included in the curriculum at the seminary. They take place from 7:20 to 8:20 and from 17:00 to 17:30 daily.
Guests of the city like to visit the University Botanical Garden Botania. It functions all year round, more than 700 species of exotic plants grow in its greenhouses and many tropical butterflies live, which give a special color (literally and figuratively) to visiting this garden. Opening hours: from 1.4 to 31.8: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00, on Tuesdays the garden is closed; From 1.9 to 31.3 on weekdays the garden closes one hour earlier.
Entrance fee: 10 EUR for adults, for children 3-16 years old - 6 EUR, for students and pensioners - 6 EUR. Groups of 10 people pay 1 EUR less per person.
The Vesikko water and health complex includes an arena for competitions in water sports sports, children's attractions, a wave pool, a water slide, massage rooms, saunas, a gym and a cafeteria.
In summer, between the city center and the port, you can take a trip on a sightseeing road train that takes its passengers past all the interesting places in the city. This road train can also be ordered for corporate events and weddings.
Joensuu offers many opportunities for lovers of a relaxing holiday in a comfortable urban environment. The river that divides the city into two parts, the proximity to a beautiful lake make it possible to enjoy pleasant views. It is not for nothing that the city is called the “forest capital” of Finland; the surroundings of the city are attractive for tourists with a variety of walks, on foot, by bicycle, and by car. From entertainment: Expensive restaurants of European cuisine in the Atrium and Sokos Kimmel hotels, a disco in the Sokos Kimmel hotel (Fri/Sat) and a pub in the Atrium. To the north of the city is a popular ski resort and the Koli National Park, but public transport does not go there, you have to rent a car.
Prices on the page are for March 2019.
Questions about Joensuu
Joensuu is a small cozy town in eastern Finland, the administrative center of the North Karelia region (Pohjois-Karjala). The founder of the history of Joensuu is the Russian emperor Nicholas I, who founded this city in 1848 at the place where the Pielisjoki River joins Lake Pielinen. Very quickly, the city acquired a significant place in the industry and trade of the country. And at the beginning of the 20th century, it became the largest port city in Finland. Experience all the sights of Mongolian.
Among other things, Joensuu is a wonderful place to relax - a lot of greenery, small houses, cozy and quiet streets, perfect for walking and cycling, many nearby ponds where you can always fish - all this attracts tourists.
How to get to Joensuu
The city has an airport, a railway station, commercial and river ports, as well as a well-developed intercity and local bus service. The Helsinki-Kajaani National Highway passes through the city.
11 km from Joensuu is located international Airport Liperi, which is operated by Finnair, operates 3 to 6 flights per day to Helsinki and several flights to other cities.
Direct bus and rail connections connect Joensuu with other cities in Finland.
The best way to travel from Russia to Finland is from St. Petersburg. Once a week there is a direct bus from St. Petersburg bus station to Joensuu. And the road along the A129 highway by car will take about 5.5 hours.
What to see and where to go for a tourist
You can start sightseeing from the city center, through which the famous church street Kirkkokatu passes from north to south. At the northern end of this street is the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, built in 1887. And at the south end of the street is the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was built in 1903. In addition to these two churches, there are many other Orthodox and Evangelical Lutheran churches in Yonesso.
On the embankment rises the beautiful building of the city hall, which was erected in 1914 in the Art Deco style. Currently, this building houses the city theater.
For walks with children in Joensuu there are also interesting places. For example, the Botanical Garden "Botania" at the University. More than 1000 species of exotic plants from different parts of the world are represented here, live butterflies and talking parrots fly. AT national park If you are allowed to feed squirrels and hares, the Kitee zoo, which is an hour's drive from the city, has about 40 species of animals and birds.
Both adults and children will certainly enjoy the Vesiko Water Park, which has 4 swimming pools, a water slide, children's attractions, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath and a cafeteria.
You can buy souvenirs by walking along the Siltakatu shopping street with many shops and artisan quarters, where small galleries, craft and souvenir shops are located.
Museums in Joensuu
The city has a large number of museums and galleries, among which the Museum of North Karelia and the bunker museum are of particular interest and popularity.
The Museum of North Karelia "Karelikum" is located near the central market square of Joensuu and is not just a museum, but a whole cultural and tourist center. Here you can visit the permanent exhibition "All about Karelia", which tells about the peculiarities of life in Karelia.
The bunker museum or museum-bunker will be very popular with fans of military history and is a section of the largest Finnish defensive structure - the Salpa Line. It is located 8 km from the center of Joensuu towards the city of Kuopio.
Art lovers will appreciate the Museum of Fine Arts, which exhibits ancient and Chinese art, Finnish icons, paintings and other temporary exhibitions.
It will also be interesting to visit other museums and exhibitions, for example, the museum at the mill in Koskenniska, the Kihtelusvaara Local History Museum, the Taidekeskus Ahjo exhibition hall, the Joensuun Taidetalo gallery and others.
Shopping in Joensuu
It's no secret that many Russians go to Finland not only to relax, but also to shop. Joensuu has almost all the shops of popular retail chains in Finland: Sokos, Lidl, Prisma, Seppala, Dressmann, Veromoda, Anttila, K-Kenka, Metropoli, Carlson. The largest Iso Myy center is located in the city center and has gathered under its roof more than 70 stores, which offer a wide selection of products, household goods, clothing, accessories, shoes and other interesting items. reasonable prices. Also in the city there are many sports shops, second-hand shops and small shops with handicrafts.
Basic prices for travelers to Joensuu
Going to Joensuu, you should remember that you need a visa, the cost of which is about 35 euros. Based on the choice of accommodation, the price of accommodation will depend. Most hotels in Joensuu correspond in terms of rooms and services to three- and four-star hotels in Europe. For example, a room in Sokos hotels per day will cost about 120-130 euros. The GreenStar Hotel offers rooms from 70 euros per night.
In the vicinity of the city, you can always rent a small cottage with a sauna, kitchen and other amenities. It will cost 100 euros per day or 300 euros per week, depending on the size of the house, as well as on the season. Most high prices occur during the summer holidays and New Year.
Most budget option Hostels and campsites are considered accommodation, where you will have to pay about 40 euros per person per day.
Joensuu, or Joensuu (Fin. Joensuu) is the center of the province of North Karelia, the twelfth most populated city in the country, located at the mouth of the river (actually Joensuu is translated as "mouth of the river") Pielisjoki and on the shore of Lake Pyhäselkä, which, in turn, is the most northern of the lakes of the Saimaa system. The spring sun is warming more and more, why not taxi to another cozy Finnish town?
Interestingly, Joensuu was founded in 1848 by the Russian emperor Nicholas I. Wherever you look in Finland, Russian tsars are everywhere. The famous house of the king in Kotka or the monument to Alexander II in Helsinki, well, or a sitting monument to another king Alexander in Turku ... you can’t remember everything. Thinking about the kings, we finally drove up to Joensuu itself 
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Wandering in the suburbs, got acquainted with modern art 
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Once again we reminded ourselves of the general Finnish cleanliness 
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Finnish cities like to greet guests with old cars on their roofs. In Turku, we were met by a truck, and in Joensuu, an old fiatik 
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The cities and regions of Finland, in general, are very similar to each other, but, nevertheless, an attentive traveler will certainly find some differences. Here in the North Karelia region, bus stops are so cozy 
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What is "JOENSUU P"? This means the entrance to the north of the city. Accordingly, "E" - south. Here you need to know the Finnish language. We turn 
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Typical Finnish city 
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With beautiful architecture. Museum of Fine Arts Onni 
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"Onni" means "happiness" in Finnish. Great name for a museum! 
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Street cafes are preparing for the summer season 
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Taxi driver's house - very Karelian 
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It can be seen that the old Karelian style in the city is especially emphasized in detail. Another house 
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Wooden birds are sitting on the house, from afar you might think that real 
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There are a lot of elderly people in Joensuu and, apparently, they do not want to sit at home 
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We can safely say that this is the "oldest" city that we have seen in Finland 
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Joensuu also loves exotic cuisine. If Vietnamese food is offered in the city center, then there is a demand 
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Yes, ask to eat! 
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How about no color! Flowers are loved in Finland, especially by pensioners... 
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One of the central streets of the city in the rays of the spring sun 
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The ice cream shop is still closed 
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The fact that there are many people of pre-retirement and retirement age in the city is indicated by various details. However, a person of any age is not averse to relaxing on such a bench. 
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There are many monuments in the city, you can't get around them all. For example, "Perch Antti", a bronze monument erected for the 100th anniversary of Joensuu! 
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The city has its own "Statue of Liberty", in the park of the same name - Liberty Park! 
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The monument was erected in honor of the victory of the Whites in the civil war of the White Finns with the Red Finns in 1918 
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A formidable sword in hand should remind subsequent Finnish generations that their current well-being is connected with the victory of the white idea over the red idea. 
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The city is also full of original ideas 
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Lots of people on bikes 
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Again, the elderly 
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There are many older people in Joensuu, but this does not mean that there are no young people at all. Young people are 
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In general, the city is really very comfortable. By the way, a lot of birches 
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Comfort is not taken from itself, Finnish law enforcement officers monitor comfort 
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But even they could not keep track of what must have been a very drunk resident or guest of the city, who could not write what he wanted ... tried to write the name of the city? 
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There are things like this on the sidewalks. 
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Most likely, such, but already real, pieces were found somewhere near the city. We'll be corrected if not... 
The Finnish city of Joensuu is quite famous, but not as popular with the bulk of tourists from Russia as Lappeenranta. The reason for this is that the city of Joensuu is located in the east of Finland. Nearby is Vartsila, the road from which leads to Karelia and towards Petrozavodsk. Therefore, there are many tourists in Joensuu, but the bulk of visitors come from Karelia. Our tourists from Petrozavodsk and Karelia know Joensuu very well, as for them it is the first and nearest Finnish city on the way to Finland. The city of Joensuu is very interesting, both from the point of view of just going to relax and seeing something new, and from the point of view of shopping and Finnish shops.
The city of Joensuu was founded in 1848 by Tsar Nicholas I. For a long time Joensuu's population was less than 10,000 and the city was just a village. Joensuu became a city only in the 50s - 60s of the last century, when the population of the city began to grow rapidly. Now more than 70,000 people live in the city and Joensuu is in 12th place in terms of population among cities in Finland.
The name of the city is literally translated into Russian as "the mouth of the river", where "Joensuu" is "joen" = "river" + "suu" = "mouth, mouth". The city is located right at the confluence of the Pielisjoki River and Lake Pyhäselkä. The river, although not very long, is quite full-flowing and navigable. Several bridges are thrown across the river, some of which are drawbridges, as on our Neva River.
With a big river, drawbridges, the city center, which is designed from straight streets intersecting strictly at ninety degrees, the city is somewhat reminiscent of our St. Petersburg, although it differs in size by almost a hundred times. In addition to a large river and strict geometry, the city of Joensuu is also similar to St. Petersburg in that it is located on a plain, unlike other cities in Finland that are located on, which are the result of glaciation, which shaped the appearance of present-day Finland and thanks to which lakes were born in Karelia and the Karelian Isthmus, and the Baltic itself.
River Pielisjoki (Pielisjoki) in Joensuu
A big river, a big lake, strict geometry make Joensuu a very beautiful city. Near Joensuu there is a high fell, where the famous ski resort. The city is a very popular tourist center. Despite the abundance of tourists, Joensuu is a very clean city, and, in our opinion, cleaner and tidier than Lappeenranta.
In addition to tourism, economic development in the Joensuu region is driven by the University of Eastern Finland, which cooperates closely with industry, which is also present in the region. Of the well-known factories, we can name the Abloy association, which produces world-famous door locks, and the manufacturer of composite materials, the Exel association, which produces plastic components, including poles for the famous when walking with ski poles without skis :).
Thanks to the University, there are many young people in the city and the city is very lively and quite modern. Students come here from all over the world, including from us from Russia.
Market Square in Joensuu
If you are going to Joensuu for shopping, then here. Half of the shops are located in the city center, and some along the highway, also not far from the center. As you know, it's free, so it's not easy not to get a fine. Large supermarkets far from the center are all in one place, and parking near supermarkets is free. You don't even need a blue parking clock in this place. Many of our tourists (especially after Helsinki) do not really like to drive in and leave their cars in the center of Finnish cities for fear of getting a fine. However, in Joensuu this is not a problem. In the very very center of the city, parking lots are paid, but after driving literally 400-500 meters from the center, you can always find free parking. Parking may be limited in time, and then you will need Finnish. But some of the parking lots are completely free and not limited by time.
Joensuu has one of the best swimming pools in Finland in terms of price-quality ratio. costs about 6 Euros per adult, while it is almost a full-fledged spa. The city is quite entertaining and with live butterflies. You can watch videos about all this on our website. you can see panoramas of the city of Joensuu. Come here yourself. Travel from St. Petersburg to Joensuu in the same way as to Helsinki.