General information.
Kajaani is a small town in central Finland. Administratively, it belongs to the province of Oulu and is the center of the Kainu region. The population of the city as of January 31, 2012 was 38,038 people. The distance from Kajaani to Helsinki is 557 kilometers, to St. Petersburg about 700. The fate of many famous people in Finland is connected with the city of Kajaani.
For example, Elias Lönnrot, a collector of materials from the Karelo-Finnish epic “Kalevala,” worked here in 1833 – 1853. The famous Finnish poet Eino Leino was born here. Finnish President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen attended school here. Now Kayaaani is the industrial, educational and cultural center of the region. The woodworking industry occupies a major place in the region's economy.
The centers of cultural life are the theatre, concert hall, library and museums.
Like everywhere else in Finland, Kaiaani loves sports. Residents of the city have the opportunity to play sports all year round. There are well-equipped gyms and grounds. The golf course is located a few kilometers from the city center. Among fishing enthusiasts, the city is known as a place where valuable species of fish can be caught almost in the city center.
Statistical data.
Year of foundation: 1651
Founder of the city - Pietari Brahe
Urban area - 2,264.11 km2
Land area – 1,836.35 km2
Water surface - 427.76 km2
Population - 38 thousand people
Information from the history of the city.
It is believed that the first human settlements appeared here at the end of the Ice Age around 10,000 BC. People then settled along the banks of rivers, where there were natural caves that could be used for housing. Rivers also provided food and were used for transportation.
According to the terms of the treaty of 1323, this region passed to Sweden. The region of Kaiaani remained under Swedish control and under the treaty of 1595. At the same time, these places acquired strategic importance for Sweden. To strengthen the borders, in 1604 the construction of a fortress began on an island in the Kainajoki River. Initially, the fortress was a stone wall with two towers, inside of which there were wooden buildings. In 1650, reconstruction of the fortress began, which ended in 1666. Over its short history, the fortress served as an administrative center, a prison, a military fortification and a place of residence for ordinary townspeople. During the next war between Russia and Sweden in 1716, the fortress was blown up. Since then, the ruins of the fortress have been only a museum object.
A prominent figure of those times, Peter Brahe, gave the settlements of this area the status of a trading place due to its advantageous location at the intersection of land and river routes in order to enhance trade in 1651. But the city became an independent administrative unit only in 1655. This year is considered the year the city was founded. At that time, the city itself was a small village with 400 inhabitants and several dozen houses.
Main stages of development.
Main stages of city development.
Construction of the fortress - 1604-1716
Railway – 1904
Founding of the wood processing industry – 1907
Opening of the technology center – 1973
Opening of a higher professional school - 1995
The ruins of a 17th-century fortress are Kaiaani's main attraction. Construction of the fortress began in 1604. These are now ruins located on a small island in the center of the city.
An art museum has been operating in Kajaani since 1993, located in the former police station. The art museum owns a collection of paintings by contemporary Finnish artists, which have been collected since 1980. The museum is located at Linnankatu street 14.
Since 1969, a city theater has been operating in Kajaani. The Kaiaani Theater produces 5-7 plays a year.
The Kajaani Equestrian Center and the town's equestrian club annually hold the Kajaani Lady Meeting, a well-known event for horse lovers throughout Finland. At the event, women over 18 years old demonstrate the art of dressage horses. At the same time, the ladies perform in beautiful women's outfits.
Every February, the choreographic competition Kajaani Tanssii is held in Kajaani. The event lasts three days. The competition was first held in 1991.
Transport
Highway No. 6 connects Kaiaani with the cities of Helsinki, Kouvola, Imatra, Joensuu.
Highway No. 5 leads from Kaiaani towards Helsinki via Kuopio and Mikkeli.
You can get to Kaiaani by road No. 89 from the Russian city of Kostomuksha through the Vartius-Kivijärvi border checkpoint.
Kaiaani Airport located approximately 8 kilometers to the north, in the town of Paltaniemi. From the airport there are flights to Helsinki, and, if necessary, to other cities.
Distance from Kaiaani to: Helsinki - 550 kilometers, Kuusamo - 250 kilometers, Jyväskylä - 235 kilometers, Kuopio - 170 kilometers.
The city of Kajaani, located in central Finland, is 557 km from Helsinki. Founded in 1651 by Governor Pietari Brahe, today it has more than 37 thousand inhabitants. This place attracts tourists not only for its history and rich nature, but also for a wide variety of entertainment available at any time of the year.
Kajaani is the center of the Kainuu province in Finland.
general information
Kajaani is famous for the fact that Elias Lönnrot, the compiler of the Karelian-Finnish epic Kalevala, lived and worked here.
The most interesting historical place in the city is the ruins of an ancient castle on an island in the Kajaaninjoki River. The fortress, built in 1604, served as an outpost, prison and administrative center. In 1716, the defenders of the fortress repelled the siege of Russian troops for several months. And only when the besieged townspeople ran out of provisions did they surrender to the mercy of the victors. Over the course of its long history, the castle has become overgrown with legends. To this day, townspeople love to tell the legend about a ghost guarding treasures walled up in the old walls.
Entertainment
The city tour can be continued by visiting the Lutheran Church of 1896, built in the neo-Gothic style, and visiting the Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord of 1958, known for its outstanding frescoes. Connoisseurs of contemporary art will be interested in the collection of the Art Museum. And after viewing the rich exhibition of the Kayani Local History Museum, you will get acquainted with the ethnography and culture of the region.
When you are in Kajaani with children, be sure to take an excursion to the Christmas Village. At nightfall, a gnome guide will lead you along a fabulous troll path, illuminated by torches. The journey will end in a forest hut, where you can taste national treats, taste a magical drink and buy souvenirs.
After getting acquainted with the local cuisine in Kajaani restaurants, you will make many gastronomic discoveries. Fish soups with milk, salmon soup, ice cream with the addition of resin and the famous cheese baked in the oven and topped with creamy sauce will impress the most discerning gourmets.
Fans of active recreation who come to Kajaani in winter will find a network of ski slopes, ski slopes and jumps. And in the summer - cycling, boat trips and exciting hikes along hiking trails in the Talascagnas Nature Reserve. There is also an excellent golf course in the heart of the city.
Kajaani is a favorite place for fishing lovers. Whitefish and salmon fishing can be enjoyed right in the city center on the Kajaaninjoki River. Or go to the picturesque lakes Ruuhijärvi and Valkealampi, located near the city. And of course, Kajaani cannot be imagined without the annual festivals of jazz, chamber music and dance, which attract outstanding artists from all over Europe.
How to get there
From the border point “Svetogorsk – Imatra” you can get to Kajaani by car, it is 482 km. From Moscow you can take the Lev Tolstoy train to Kouvola, and then change to Kajaani. The Allegro train runs from St. Petersburg to Kouvola. There is also an airport in Kajaani.
In the central part of the republic, there is a small and very beautiful city of Kajaani. The place became the beginning of the journey of many famous people of Suomi. In this article we will tell you about history, attractions, recreation and entertainment.
What is this
The city of Kajaani in Finland belongs to the administrative center of Oulu. It became the central region of Kainu Governorate. The total area is 1,400 square kilometers, 428 of which are water areas.
Despite the sufficient distance from the capital and other popular places, it is in demand among tourists. Lovers of a quiet and measured holiday come here.
Fishermen especially liked the settlement. Wide rapids and crystal clear water attract thousands of visitors every year.
Students also choose Kajaani, the local university is ranked fifth in the country. The campus accommodates 2000 students.
The key focus of labor activity was the woodworking industry.
Climate
The climate zone is temperate. Most of the year is quite cold. No sudden temperature changes. There is no significant precipitation; standard precipitation falls within 12 months.
The minimum temperature is reached in January and February. A rare occurrence was the decrease in the thermometer to -41; normal winter weather fluctuates around -10 -14 degrees.
Summer is cool, July is considered the warmest time, the air temperature warms up to 20 degrees Celsius.
History of the settlement
Historians claim that the first settlements in this territory arose during the Ice Age. Residents built caves for living. Rivers were used for transportation to necessary places and for fishing.
In 1323, according to the signed peace treaty, the area came into the possession of Sweden for 250 years. In 1595 the agreement was extended. At the same time, the Swedish authorities took care of creating defensive lines in case of war.
In 1604, the construction of a fortress began on one of the islands of the Kainajoki River. Initially, the structure was a stone wall with several towers. There were wooden buildings inside.
In the mid-17th century, reconstruction began and lasted 16 years. During this time, it was used as an administrative center, then became a prison.
In 1716, during the war with the Russian Empire, the building was blown up. They did not restore it; today it is a museum exhibit.
In 1651, Governor Pieter Brahe petitioned for city status. It was approved only in 1655.
The city of Kajaani is famous throughout Suomi due to several events.
- Elios Lönnrot, famous for his work, wrote it in these parts, while working as a district doctor.
- The current president of the country studied at one of the schools in the settlement.
- The poet Eino Leino was born here.
- In 2013, the main city stores began accepting Russian rubles for payment.
- The printed publication Kotiseutuplus has obtained permission to distribute its products in Kostomuksha, Russia. Every week, newspapers are published with a circulation of 10,000 in Russian.
During the Civil War, a white partisan detachment was created here. One of the participants was Urho Kekkonen, the future president of Suomi. He headed the state for 25 years.
Architecture
In these parts, the minimalist style of concrete buildings with wooden buildings is very successfully combined.
The main part of the houses is made of stone, the color scheme is gray. This cold shade is diluted by wooden buildings of the last century, painted in a bright yellow color. 
Population
At the time of city status in 1655, the number of inhabitants was 400 people. Since the construction of the railway in 1907 and the development of industry, the number began to grow rapidly. In 1987 the population numbered 36,000; by 2019 it had increased to 38,071.
Rules and norms of conduct
There are no exceptional rules of conduct in Kajaani, Finland. Residents adhere to the norms established by law.
Where to stay
There are many accommodation options, ranging from budget campsites to all-inclusive hotels. 3* hotels and apartments for families with children have become the permanent choice of tourists.
The average cost of a room ranges from 60-90 euros. Apartments, which include the use of a swimming pool, sauna, gym and Internet, will cost 110-130 euros per day. 
Where to eat
In any part of the city, you can taste delicious and fresh food. There are quite a lot of establishments serving Japanese and European cuisine here.
Local rye bread and ice cream dessert with the addition of resin have rightfully become the best in the country.
There are many pubs in the center with excellent beers made in Finland.
Leisure
Several times a year, interesting festivals are held in Kajaani. Jazz, chamber and dance - attract thousands of spectators. One of the most visited events is a meeting called “Poetry Week”.
A dance festival takes place in February, with people of all ages participating, from children to senior citizens.
In July, the tar canal with boats sailing along it is open to tourists. This is the only place in the world where this tradition has been preserved.
Fishing is especially popular; lakes Ruihijärvi and Valkealampi are considered the best for this purpose.
Local residents broke the stereotype that fishing meant a quiet place without too many people. Fishing is actively practiced here right in the city center. Despite the crowds, you won’t be able to leave without a few salmon carcasses.
Attractions
Like any town in Finland, Kajaani contains interesting places.
Art Museum
It is located in a former police station, occupies two floors, with a total area of 300 square meters.
Four beautifully lit halls provide interesting illumination of the exhibitions. Every year the museum holds 4-5 exhibitions of Finnish and European art. Particularly noteworthy are the exhibits on display in the former prison cell.
The permanent exhibition includes 760 works by the most famous artists of the 80s and 90s.
The ruins of the strategic fortification can be visited absolutely free. The island site attracts tourists with its history. In the 20th century, attempts were made to restore and reconstruct it several times.
The idea was not successful, and the authorities decided to leave the fortress as a historical value.
Many folk festivals take place on the island.
Entertainment
Most of all, the local population loves golf. This unusual type of activity for Suomi has gained real popularity in Kajaani. Fields for playing are distributed everywhere. Every hotel has them.
The second most popular entertainment is horse riding. The owners of the stables invite visitors to learn how to ride a horse, take walks along picturesque places and feed the animals with treats.
Every year, the city hosts a festival called Kajaani Lady Meeting. Women dress in beautiful outfits and show their level of skill in handling a horse.
Cultural entertainment includes theatre, exhibitions, concerts and museums.
Active tourists will enjoy cycling with sightseeing and simply beautiful scenery in the summer. 
The ski resort operates in winter and offers magnificent slopes of varying difficulty, jumping hills and much more. Equipment rental shops are also open there.
Where to go with children
When visiting the city with children, you should definitely go to the Christmas Village. Not only kids, but also adults will be delighted.
In wooden houses, guests will be invited to try fabulous cocktails and chat with the forest grandfather. After dusk, a gnome comes out onto the path. He gives tourists a tour along the torch-lit road.
During the story, fairy-tale characters appear from behind the trees, captivating visitors in their fun.
Shopping Features
Suomi is one of the favorite countries for shopping among Russian travelers. There are many shops of different themes in Kajaani. There are grocery, hardware and souvenir shops here.
A large influx of tourists occurs during the Christmas holidays, when discounts reach 70%.
Kauppakatu Street in the center is a shopper's paradise, where you can find everything you want.
The opening hours of most shops in Kajaani, Finland are from 9:00 to 17:00. Closing occurs earlier on weekends.
Urban transport
The main mode of transportation became bicycle and car. Bus service within the city is rather limited. It is aimed at the morning and evening flow of people.
At lunchtime and after 19:00, you will have to wait a long time for transport. Taxi services are quite expensive.
Where is it and how to get there
You can get there from St. Petersburg by car, through the Svetogorsk border checkpoint. The distance is 482 kilometers.
The Lev Tolstoy train runs from Moscow to Kouvola, then you need to change to a bus. Allegro runs from St. Petersburg.
When leaving Helsinki, Imatra, Joensuu, you need to take highway number six. Road number five leads from Kuopio and Mikkeli.
Highway No. 89 starts in Kostomuksha, customs control passes through the Vartius point.
Also, eight kilometers from the city is Kajaani Airport, from which flights depart several times a day to the capital.
Kajaani is a very cozy and peaceful place. It will be an excellent choice for people who love silence, orderliness and coolness. Here everyone will find something to their liking.
Kajaani is an ancient city, founded in the mid-seventeenth century near the fortress of the same name. The two-story stone castle served as a state prison for a long time; its ruins still attract tourists to Kajaani. Not far from Kajaani is the Vuokatti ski resort.
Kajaani Airport was opened in 1956. Today it transports almost eighty thousand people annually. The length of the airport's runway is two and a half kilometers. Regular flights connect Kajaani with Helsinki; in addition, during the season the airport receives flights from Tallinn and Moscow.
The airport is located near the village of Paltaniemi, approximately eight kilometers from Kajaani.
Shuttle bus services from the airport to the city and resort of Vuokatti are provided by Kattilinjat. You can also order a taxi or use car rental.
Petkeljarvi National Park
One of the most picturesque parks in Finland is Petkeljärvi National Park. This pearl attracts tourists with the beauty of its lakes and sandy ridges. The territory of the park was formed 10,000 years ago, at the end of the Ice Age, formed from under ice and meltwater.
Petkeljärvi National Park is considered a very popular place for walking; you need to set aside a whole day to see its sights. A beautiful, breathtaking view opens from the peaks to the water sparkling under the sun, numerous lakes. A lot of people visit it every day, the routes in the park are built so that you can fully enjoy the landscapes and nature.
Part of the mountain range of the national park, there are mountain ranges stretching from Lake Koitere to the border with Russia. They are small in height, but quite steep, some of them are vertical. There are a lot of forests in the park; here you can find very old species of trees. There is a huge pine forest, the trees here are more than one hundred and fifty years old. There are many hollows on the pines, in which tits, woodpeckers, and flycatchers live. In summer, the silence of the park is disturbed by the cries of the black-throated pochard; tree trunks that have been eaten by beavers lie on the paths. Huge animals such as elk, bear, and wolf also live in the park, but they avoid meeting visitors in every possible way.
Lake Petraniemi, due to its sandy soil, has clean, crystal water. You can swim in the lake, sunbathe on the shore and enjoy the pristine beauty of the park, hear birds singing, and watch the loons diving into the lake for fish. At the tourist center, you can rent a kayak or boat and take a boat trip through the lakes of the park. For hiking, the best option is a 6.5-kilometer circular route through the park “Kuikan Kierros”, the route is named after the loons. In addition to forests, there are meadows on the territory of the park; they are very swampy and are preserved as a park landscape.
A special feature of the park are traces of the war between Finland and the Soviet Union of the 1939-1940s, these are trenches and shelters, so visitors can feel the spirit of history and the country.
At the moment, Petkeljärvi Park is the best place for hikers and lovers of quiet nature. Petkeljärvi National Park and Patvinsuo Park, which is nearby, are classified as a nature reserve of North Karelia and are part of UNESCO.
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Riisitunturi National Park
A paradise for hikers is the Riisitunturi National Park, located in the southern part of Finnish Lapland, near the town of Posio. The park covers an area of 77 square kilometers and was created in 1982. The park is located in a mountainous area; there are also many swamps, especially on the slope. It presents the best landscape over Lake Kitkajä rvet and the forest, colorful hills on the peaks, and the landscapes of the park are breathtaking.
The Riisitunturi trail (29 km) is the most suitable for hikes lasting several days, the best option for hiking enthusiasts. Walking along the trails, you can come across fire pits and houses where you can stay overnight. The most popular destinations lead to the Carhinquerros trail into the Oulanka National Park, which offers stunning scenery. The park offers hiking in both winter and summer.
For ski lovers, Riisitunturi offers great opportunities, organizing hikes and walks through the snowy hills, with a beautiful winter landscape. The upper part of the park has an exceptional view that cannot be forgotten, its hanging swamps and slender spruce trees. adapted to the snow cover that is typical for this area. There are also many small lakes in the region. Forests and hills grow in all seasons. Wild reindeer, owned by local shepherds, walk around the park with marks on their ears.
Riisitunturi is a year-round tourist destination, offering beautiful views and diversity in all seasons.
In winter, it is possible to admire the sunset, as it rises low above the horizon, so the dawn smoothly turns into sunset. In spring, when the day length increases and it becomes a little warmer, there is still snow here. In the summer, when the sun does not set beyond the horizon, arctic flowers bloom. At the end of summer and autumn in the park, there are many mushrooms and berries that can be picked. In autumn, plants growing on the hills acquire unique colors at the first frost.
Maarianvaara is a ski resort located in the municipality of Kaavi, in the center of Finland. It is one of the youngest and most prestigious ski resorts in Finland. It is popular among family vacation lovers. The slopes of Maarianvaara are good for learning to ski, even for children. Here you can have a great rest with a friendly group of young people, due to the affordable prices for both skiing and accommodation.
The ski resort is small, but nevertheless, it has 7 ski slopes. The largest elevation difference at the resort is 140 meters. The length of the longest slope is about 1050 m. An hour's drive from Maarianvaara is the famous Tahko ski resort. In addition to alpine skiing, you can also ski on the plain. An excellent ski track was specially laid for this purpose.
You can also enjoy snowmobiling and ice fishing here. There is a ski school for beginners and equipment rental. In the evenings you can relax in cozy restaurants and try delicious local cuisine. Outside the resort, 50 km from the Maarianvaara resort, in the town of Siilinjärvi there is the Fontanella water park, where you can swim and then visit a real Finnish sauna.
Lussitup's house
In the center of Kajaani it is interesting to visit the ruins of an ancient castle, as well as the nearby Lussitupa house.
This small wooden building was built in 1880 to house the lock keeper, who oversaw the transport of resin through the canal and the operation of the lock. The house is a one-story gray building.
Nowadays, the well-preserved building often hosts exhibitions on historical topics, there are permanent exhibitions telling about the culture and life of the local area, and in July you can watch the gateway in action.
Rokua National Park
A big attraction in Finland is the Rokua National Park. Located in Northern Finland, approximately 200 km south of the Arctic Circle between the cities of Oulu and Kajaani. Covering an area of 1,300 square kilometers along the Oulu River to Lake Oulu, Rokua Park is a unique combination of geology, nature and culture. Characteristic features of the area are landforms that were formed during the melting of ice at the end of the Ice Age 10,000 years ago. Wind-blown sand dunes overgrown with pine forests, pine and lichen-clad heaths, holes and small ponds filled with crystal clear water.
For an area of character, long winters, snow and ice cover the area, this is the best time to go skiing and explore the incomparable beauty of the snowy landscape. Hiking trails are excellent in early spring, with approximately 70 kilometers of cross-country ski trails open. In summer there are about 50 kilometers of hiking trails, ideal for camping and cycling. On the territory of the park there are hotels where you can stay and private houses.
Rokua National Park has a wide variety of natural and cultural attractions. Here, you can take a 22-kilometer hike along the Emperor's Path. Spend a day in the forest and relax at the Rokua spa. The tourist area includes numerous islands on the western side of Lake Oulujärvi. In autumn, in the territory of Rokua Park, you can pick mushrooms and lingonberries
The park attracts tourists with its unique nature, clean environment and the opportunity to enjoy peace and tranquility. There is a wide range of recreational opportunities on the banks of the Oulujoki River. There is a cafe, a small souvenir shop, and a sauna.
Kajaani Art Museum
The Kajaani Art Museum was opened in April 1993. The museum's exhibition is located in a former police station, designed by architect Eino Pitkänen.
The two floors together provide approximately 300 m2 of wall space to accommodate exhibits. The exhibition's four well-lit spaces vary in size and shape, creating a variety of options for displaying art. Every year the Art Museum organizes approximately five temporary exhibitions of foreign and Finnish art. An interesting fact is that the old police camera has been preserved in its original form and can also be used to house exhibits.
When the museum opened in 1993, it took responsibility for acquiring works of art in-house. Currently, his collection includes 760 works by 100 different artists. The main emphasis is on the works of Finnish artists of the 80s-90s. Among them are works by such masters as Juhana Blomsted, Carolus Enkel, Tapio Junno and others. Over the past few years, the collection has been mainly enriched by donations for the development of art in the Kainuu region.
One of the museum's main objectives is to present art education to a wide audience, as well as a comprehensive picture of art.
The most popular attractions in Kajaani with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Kajaani on our website.
