Introducing Kajaani
The further north you get, the smaller the 'major' towns. Kajaani is the centre of the Kainuu region, and although a pleasant enough riverside town, it's no metropolis, being mainly a transport changeover and stopover between the Lakeland and the north. What little there is to see is related to Kajaani's long position as an important station on the Kainuu tar transportation route - until the 19th century this region produced more tar than anywhere else in the world.
Advertisement
One of Kajaani's claims to fame is that Elias Lönnrot, creator of Finland's national epic, the Kalevala, worked here for a period in the 19th century, using it as a base for his travels. The long-reigning president Urho Kekkonen also lived here as a student (his house stills stands at Kalliokatu 7). More disturbing, though, has been a publicized trend of racist violence, with Kajaani named the most racist city in Finland by the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper according to statistics on racially-motivated crime.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
RE: Brown Bears and other Wildlife
by akana 12 July 2011
How to get to Kuusamo? There are Norwegian Air and Blue1 flights from Helsinki to Oulu. Rent a car and drive to Kuusamo. O search for…
-
RE: About the train in Finland
by Bjoern 01 December 2010
You ARE aware the is a place of max. 10000 inh?. Closest airport is Kajaani airport (pretty far away) - and is (AFAIK) only connected…
-
Re: Scenic Train Trips in Finland?
by NSCGardner 27 March 2009
Three routes I would recommend are: 1. Pieksamaki to Nurmes via Joensuu (about thrice daily) 2. The morning train from Rovaniemi to Kemijä…
Hotels & Hostels
-
Book now
-
SOKOS HOTEL VALJUS
Kajaani
Book now
-
Book now
Kartanohotelli Karolineburg
Kajaani
Advertisement
