Sights in Lappeenranta
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Hiekkalinna
In summer, sand artists from all over Finland gather to build the Hiekkalinna, a giant ‘sandcastle’ that uses around 3 million kilograms of sand. Previous incarnations of these huge art works have included themes such as a Wild West scene incorporating a gigantic steam train, and an outer space theme that brought together ET and Darth Vader. It’s great for kids with a small selection of rides (many free).
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Linnoitus & Museums
The fortifications in the Linnoitus (Fortress) area of Lappeenranta above the harbour were started by the Swedes and finished by the Russians in the 18th century. It's like a separate village; some of the fortress buildings are craft shops and galleries, while others have been turned into interesting museums. There are good views from the fortress over the harbour area.
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Cavalry Museum
The cavalry are honoured as Lappeenranta’s greatest heroes, which may seem odd for a port town. The town’s oldest building (erected in 1772) is the stately former garrison that houses the Cavalry Museum. The museum tells the story of how this band of red-trousered warriors began as the finest mounted forces in the Russian Empire and throughout the 1920s and ’30s became Finland’s national heroes. Exhibits of their trousers and skeleton jackets are a highlight along with their horseback armoury. Even today, dragoons are still garrisoned in Lappeenranta, and when they sweep down from the fort in regular parades throughout summer, you’ll see how powerful this land-based f…
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Lappee Church
Lappee Church is an adorable wooden church built in 1794 to an unusual ‘double cruciform’ floor plan. It’s barely on speaking terms with its bell tower, which is situated across the park and houses a cafe. South of the church stretches the graveyard, with an evocative war memorial, which features cubist and modernist sculptures commemorating Finns who died in the Winter and Continuation Wars. The most striking depicts a mother mourning her soldier son lost in battle, by Kauko Räsänen.
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South Karelian Museum
South Karelian Museum examines Karelia’s prehistory with Celticlike artefacts – look out for the reconstruction of an elk hunted on ski (literally). There’s a long look back at when Vyborg was part of Karelia with photos and oral histories from before 1939. It’s a source of much wistful nostalgia for most Finns and some older Finns have been known to be moved to tears by how effectively this exhibit brings the town back to life.
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South Karelia Art Museum
South Karelia Art Museum has a permanent collection of paintings by Karelian and other Finnish artists. Most of the works are modern and a large part of the space is devoted to temporary exhibitions, which often feature local artists. Unless one of the temporary exhibits takes your fancy, you can probably skip this in favour of better studies of Finnish art in Helsinki.
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Wolkoff Home Museum
The home of a Russian family is lovingly preserved at Wolkoff Home Museum. Built in 1826, the house was owned by the merchant clan Wolkoff from 1872 to 1986, and the 10 rooms have been maintained as they were. You have to join hourly guided tours (around 40 minutes; leaving quarter past the hour) to view them.
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Lappee Church
In the centre of town, the Lappee Church is a lovely wooden church (1794) built to an unusual 'double cruciform' floor plan. It's barely on speaking terms with its belltower, situated across the park and housing a café.
reviewed
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War Memorial
South of the church stretches the graveyard, on one side of which is the evocative war memorial, which commemorates those Finns who died in the Winter and Continuation Wars and whose graves are now in Russian territory.
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Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church is Finland’s oldest, completed in 1785 by Russian soldiers. It features a glittering iconostasis and other saintly portraits.
reviewed
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