The Lakeland - Finland - page 351

Kuhajärvi, past a final set of rapids and into Sulkava. Pull in at Kulkemus Boat Centre on
the right after the bridge. There's a summer cafe here and you can camp.
Mikkeli
015 / Pop 49,000
Mikkeli is a sizeable provincial town on the shores of Saimaa, Finland's largest lake. It's
an important transport hub and military base and was the headquarters of the Finnish army
during WWII; museums relating to those years are the main sights in town. It's a friendly
place that can make a convenient stopover.
Sights & Activities
Päämajamuseo (Headquarters Museum; www.mikkeli.fi/museot ;Päämajankatu 1-3;adult/child
€5/free; 10am-5pm Fri-Sun Sep-Apr, 10am-5pm daily May-Aug) was Gustav Mannerheim's
command centre during WWII; and Jalkaväkimuseo (Infantry Museum; 015-369-666;
www.jalkavakimuseo.fi ;Jääkärinkatu 6;adult/child €8/free; 10am-5pm May-mid-Sep, 11am-4pm
Wed-Sun mid-Sep-Apr) is one of the largest military museums in Finland. You can also visit
Mannerheim's wartime railway carriage at the train station. The Mikkeli area is excellent
for fishing - the lakes teem with perch, salmon and trout, and ice-fishing is popular in
winter. The tourist office can help with permits, guides and equipment rental.
Festivals & Events
Mikkeli Music Festival (Mikkeli Music Festival; www.mikkelinmusiikkijuhlat.fi ) in late June/early
July is a week-long classical music event featuring top Finnish and Russian conductors.
Balancing it out is Jurassic Rock ( www.jurassicrock.fi ) , a two-day festival in early August
featuring plenty of Nordic bands.
Sleeping & Eating
Hotelli Uusikuu HOTEL