The striking wooden Taistelijan Talo was designed by Joensuu architect Erkki Helasvuo in 1988 to symbolise the meeting of East and West. On the ground floor, the restaurant (buffet €19) offers an excellent all-day Karelian buffet. The WWII museum downstairs has multimedia exhibits, photo exhibitions and weaponry displays relating chiefly to the Winter and Continuation Wars fought along the nearby border. Outside are artillery and vehicles as well as a Big Hat sculpture (the town’s name translates as Hat Mountain).
Taistelijan Talo
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
21.49 MILES
Karelian traditions are celebrated at this little village 2km south of Ilomantsi. It's named for bard and kantele player Jaakko Parppei (1792–1885), whose…
21.47 MILES
Finland's oldest winery was established in 1989. You can chat about the fascinating wine-making process and buy bottles, although due to Finnish alcohol…
20.68 MILES
This beautiful wooden Orthodox church (the largest of its kind in Finland) has a striking Russian influence. Follow the kalmisto (graveyard) sign to the…
0.14 MILES
Hattuvaara is home to Finland’s oldest Orthodox tsasouna, a sweet white wooden chapel by the side of the main road. Built in 1790, it has several original…
21.05 MILES
When the Swedes took the area they sought to convert the Orthodox population by building this gigantic Lutheran church in 1796. It’s also known as the…
Nearby attractions
0.14 MILES
Hattuvaara is home to Finland’s oldest Orthodox tsasouna, a sweet white wooden chapel by the side of the main road. Built in 1790, it has several original…
20.68 MILES
This beautiful wooden Orthodox church (the largest of its kind in Finland) has a striking Russian influence. Follow the kalmisto (graveyard) sign to the…
21.05 MILES
When the Swedes took the area they sought to convert the Orthodox population by building this gigantic Lutheran church in 1796. It’s also known as the…
21.47 MILES
Finland's oldest winery was established in 1989. You can chat about the fascinating wine-making process and buy bottles, although due to Finnish alcohol…
21.49 MILES
Karelian traditions are celebrated at this little village 2km south of Ilomantsi. It's named for bard and kantele player Jaakko Parppei (1792–1885), whose…