Introducing Mikkeli & Around
Mikkeli is a sizable provincial town on Lake Saimaa and an important transport hub for eastern Lakeland. It was the headquarters of the Finnish army during WWII, and it was from here that CGE Mannerheim directed the Winter War campaign against the Soviets. Museums relating to those years are the main sights in town. It's still an important military base, and soldiers sometimes seem to outnumber civilians in town. It's a friendly place though, and although there's little to see, it often makes a convenient stopover between north and south.
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For information on local attractions contact the Mikkeli tourist office (194 3900; Porrassalmenkatu 15; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat), near the large and lively kauppatori. The office has free Internet access.
Päämajamuseo (Headquarters Museum; 194 2424; Päämajankatu 1-3; adult/child €4/free; 10am-5pm Wed-Sun Sep-Apr, 10am-5pm daily May-Aug) was the army's command centre during the war; and Jalkaväkimuseo (Infantry Museum; 369 666; Jääkärinkatu 6-8; adult/child €3.50/1.50) is one of the largest military museums in Finland.
The area around Mikkeli is excellent for freshwater fishing - its many lakes teem with perch, salmon and trout, and ice-fishing is popular in winter. The tourist office can help with information, fishing permits, guides and equipment rental.
Mikkeli Music Festival (www.mikkelimusic.net), held here in late June/early July, is a week-long classical music event featuring top Finnish and Russian conductors.
The rock paintings of Astuvansalmi (Astuvansalmen Kalliomaalaukset), estimated to be 3000 to 4000 years old, are some of the finest prehistoric rock paintings in Finland. They are on a steep rock cliff, 38km by road southeast of Mikkeli, reached by a walking track from the road. You'll need a vehicle or bicycle to get there.
Close to the rock paintings, the open-air Pien-Toijolan Talomuseo (416 103; 10am-4pm Thu-Sun) is an estate dating from 1672, and consists of over 20 old houses.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Lappeenranta or Mikkeli
by jorkki 10 August 2010
Having lived in both I recommend Lappeenranta for tourists. I suggest that you take train from Lahti to Lappeenranta. Since you will travel…
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Re: Lappeenranta or Mikkeli
by pepi 10 August 2010
They're both just your average boring Finnish mid sized towns with not a lot happening but personally I'd pick Mikkeli, Lappeenranta is…
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