Saimaa Geopark

17/06/2026

One of our Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark targets: Astuvansalmi rock paintings 🖼️🪨

Also one of our EGN Conference field trip targets in next autumn.

European Geoparks Network Kalliotaidekeskus Astuva

15/06/2026

Tänään vierailulla Salpausselkä Geoparkissa Lahdessa. Käydään kehittämiskeskusteluita Visit Finland vetoisesti Geopark alueiden Kv toiminnan kehittämiseen yhdessä alueiden DMO kanssa.

12/06/2026

FIELD TRIP 5: Discovering the Islands of Lake Saimaa

Embark on an unforgettable voyage across the sparkling waters of Lake Saimaa! Admire the labyrinth of breathtaking islands on this versatile lake cruise, where you’ll dive into rich local culture, marvel at fascinating ancient geology, and encounter living natural wonders.

🌱Salpausselkä
We will travel along the First Salpausselkä, crossing the Saimaa Canal and the Vuoksi river, the tributary of the Saimaa watershed. The First Salpausselkä ice marginal formation consists of glaciofluvial deposits, sand and gravel ridges, and end moraine walls kilometres in lenght.

🗾Kyläniemi
The journey to Kyläniemi passes through the valuable Utula landscape area. The landscape opens up from Toinen Salpausselka over the fields to Lake Saimaa. The arable areas were created when the glacier's meltwater carried fine soil away from coarse soil, layering the current farmland. From the Kyläniemi pier we continue our journey by cruise ship to the Saimaa islands.

⛪️Ilkonsaaret
An island of captivating contrasts, consisting of two dramatic rocky ridges steeped in history and spirituality. Take a peaceful stroll to discover the beautifully crafted, traditional Orthodox tsasounas (wooden/stone prayer chapels) hidden amidst the tranquil nature.

🏝️Satamosaari
A true boater's paradise situated along the scenic route between Lappeenranta and Imatra. This ridge island invites you to unwind with its inviting harbor, cozy campfire sites and authentic lakeside saunas. The island's nature strongly reflects the traces of the Ice Age.

🚢Imatra Harbour and Lammassaari
Towards the end of the trip, we disembark from the ship at the port of Imatra, where we pass one of the great year-round outdoor recreation destinations of the Saimaa Geopark: Lammassaari.

Lammassaari tells a geological story in three time levels: the coastal cliffs are 1.9 billion years old, the island itself was stratified over 12,000 years ago, and the third time level is formed by the ancient beaches surrounding the island.

11/06/2026

EGN Conference 2026 - GEOFAIR🥨🪇🌱

‼PLEASE NOTE that registration for the GEOFAIR by country, must be made by the country's geopark contact person by email. Deadline June 22nd.

➡️Sent the email: [email protected]

The Geofair is a free exhibition section as part of the EGN conference. At the Geofair, countries present their own cultural features, geoparks and can also offer some food tastings to fair visitors (like Geofood).

All EGN Geopark countries can reserve their own stand at the fair for free. The fair has one common stand (GLOBAL STAND) for the Geoparks outside the EGN network.

This year the geofair is also open to local residents and schoolchildren for part of the time

MORE GEOFAIR INFO: https://saimaageopark.fi/en/egn2026/

09/06/2026

Mikkelin Water Week kerää tänäkin vuonna Saimaalle kansainvälisiä vieraita. Tänään Marokon vesiasioita käsittelevä ministeri ja suurlähettiläs delekaatioineen pistäytyivät tutustumassa Geopark toimintaan Urpolan visitor centerissa.

05/06/2026

Maailman ympäristöpäivä 2026 keskittyy ilmastonmuutokseen – kiireellisiin signaaleihin, joita Maa lähettää, ja signaaleihin, joita päätämme lähettää takaisin. UNEP:n maailmanlaajuinen kampanja kehottaa meitä kaikkia toimimaan ilmaston hyväksi.

"Maapallo ei väitä vastaan. Se ei neuvottele. Se lähettää merkkejä – merenpinnan nousu, raivoavat metsäpalot, helleaallot, sulavat jäätiköt."

5th June 2026 - World Environment Day!
The Global Geoparks Network includes 241 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 51 countries,
Geoparks are managing Earth Heritage in an holistic manner !
UNESCO Global Geoparks are celebrating today with various activities to raise awareness on the climate crisis that thretens our communities as well as significant geological heritage sites, the testimonies of the long history and evolution of our planet!
Geoparks are preparing our communities for a healthier and safer future!

05/06/2026

FIELD TRIP 4: DEFENSE LINE AND HISTORY

Explore the military and cultural history of South-Eastern Finland on a journey through the Saimaa region. From the historic Lappeenranta Fortress and the defensive structures of Kärnäkoski Fortress to the traditional atmosphere of Olkkolan Hovi Manor and the World War II Salpa Line bunkers in Rutola, discover the stories that shaped the region’s past.

🏰 Lappeenranta Fortress
Step into history at the Lappeenranta Fortress, built in the 1720s as part of Sweden’s eastern defence system. Explore museums, the oldest Orthodox church in Finland, historic buildings from the Swedish and Russian eras, and charming cafés like Majurska Café and Kehruuhuone within this unique cultural area overlooking Lake Saimaa.

🛡️ Kärnäkoski Fortress
Explore Kärnäkoski Fortress, a historic bastion fortress built in the 1790s as part of Russia’s defence system for St Petersburg. Surrounded by peaceful lakeside scenery, the area features fortress ruins, a hill fortification, remains of an old barge harbour beneath the clear water, and the historic Kärnäkoski mill.

🏡 Olkkola Manor
Experience the charm of Olkkola Manor, a historic countryside estate built in 1906 and surrounded by peaceful Finnish scenery. Enjoy authentic local cuisine and traditional manor atmosphere before visiting the nearby Savitaipale Church, a beautiful example of 18th-century Finnish wooden church architecture.

🪖 Salpa Line Bunkers (Rutola)
Discover the Salpa Line Bunkers in Rutola, part of Finland’s largest World War II defence project built to protect the eastern border. Explore reinforced concrete bunkers, trenches, and anti-tank obstacles along the 3.5 km Rutola village trail while learning about the area’s military history and past sawmill activity.

02/06/2026

FIELD TRIP 3: SAIMAA CULTURE

Experience the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Saimaa region. From the waterways of the Saimaa Canal and the iconic Imatrankoski to the traditional landscapes of Sulkava and Juva, discover local history, wooden boatbuilding traditions, and the unique culture that shapes the Saimaa area.

🚢 Saimaa Canal
A historic 43 km waterway connecting Lake Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland since 1856. In a trip you can see the scenic canal route, the locks of Mustola and Mälkiä, and the Saimaa Canal Museum, where historic buildings and exhibitions bring the canal’s fascinating history to life.

🌊 Imatrankoski & Vuoksi River
Explore the famous Imatrankoski rapids, one of Finland’s national landscapes and a popular attraction since the 1700s. Surrounded by the historic Kruununpuisto Park with its giant’s kettles, rock carving and the iconic Imatra State Hotel at the riverside.

⛪ Ruokolahti Church Hill
See the landscapes of Ruokolahti Church, which once inspired artists and explore the landmarks in the church hill area, such as Simo Häyhä's grave, the bell tower dating back to 1752, and the Winter War air battle memorial.

🏡 Liehtalanniemi
Step back in time at Liehtalanniemi, a historic farm and museum area on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Explore traditional island life from the early 1900s, discover the story of Jalmari Reponen, and enjoy protected forests, historic buildings, scenic nature trails, and peaceful lakeside surroundings.

🚣 Sulkava
Discover Sulkava’s rich wooden boatbuilding and rowing traditions in the heart of the Saimaa region. See the historic Sulkava Church and 1770 belfry, explore the memorial of the Russo-Swedish War, and stroll through the charming Uitonrinteen wooden village with its well-preserved traditional buildings.

🏡 Pattoi Heritage Farm
Explore Pattoi Heritage Farm, a well-preserved 19th-century peasant farm offering a glimpse into traditional rural life in the Saimaa region. Discover historic farm buildings, traces of the slash-and-burn era and the beautiful stone Church of Juva.

31/05/2026

FIELD TRIP2: STONE AGE

Travel back in time and explore the prehistoric history of the Saimaa region. We travel by bus through the historical sites of Taipalsaari, seeing the rural landscape of Lake Saimaa all the way to its shores. During the trip, we will see Astuvansalmi rock paintings, cultural landscapes of Urpola Manor and fascinating heritage of Finland’s Stone Age past in Rovastinoja.

This trip is part of the INACS project activities.

🎨 Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings
Discover the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, the largest prehistoric rock art site in the Nordic countries and one of the highlights of the Saimaa Geopark. Featuring around 80 ancient paintings of elk, humans, and boats created 4,500–6,000 years ago, the site offers a fascinating glimpse into Stone Age beliefs and life along ancient Lake Saimaa.

🏡 Urpola Manor
Enjoy lunch at the historic Urpola Manor, a beautiful Art Nouveau manor house from the early 1900s. Nearby there is the Urpola Nature Centre and its interactive Saimaa Geopark exhibits and you can visit green nature trails, in the wonderful estuary landscape.

🔥 Rovastinoja
Step into prehistoric life at Rovastinoja, where a reconstructed Stone Age peat hut and scenic campfire area bring ancient traditions to life. Surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Lake Kuolimo, the area's diverse nature trails, cycling routes and shallow, fine sandy beaches offer to visitors a glimpse into the local geology and forest landscapes shaped by the Ice Age.

Central Baltic Programme European Geoparks Network

29/05/2026

Saimaan kanavamuseokin avautuu ensi viikolla kesäkauteen 🌿 Suosittelemme vierailemaan sen ihanan vehreän puutarhassa, ilmaisessa museonäyttelyssä ja museokahvilassa.

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The Saimaa Canal Museum opens next week for the summer season🌿 We recommend visiting its wonderfully lush garden, free museum exhibition and museum café.