Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Karelian traditions are celebrated at this little Bardic village, 2km south of Ilomantsi. It's
named for bard and
kantele
player Jaakko Parppei (1792-1885), whose songs inspired the
Kalevala
epic. Listen to the harpsichord-like sounds of this local stringed instrument at the
small
cultural museum
on the hour from noon.
Parppeinpirtti
does a wonderfully authent-
ic Karelian buffet. The
Mesikkä Animal Museum
explores the relationship between
Karelians and nature, and there's a fascinating exhibition on the war years in the
Border
General's Cabin
. The cabin served as headquarters for Major General Erkki Raappana, a
local hero who was decorated by Mannerheim for his achievements, and contains many of
his personal effects, plus a case of Finnish and Russian weaponry from Uzis to homemade
bombs.
Hermanni Wine Tower
TOWER
(Viintorni; 0207-789-230;
www.hermanninviinitila.fi
;
Kappalaisentie; 10am-10pm Jun-mid-Aug)
Blackcurrants, crowberries and white currants from the fields and bogs around Ilomantsi
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, noon-5pm Sun Jul, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat Jun & Aug,
9am-4pm Mon-Fri Sep-May)
- Finland's oldest, established in 1989. At the top of the local
water tower, you can sample its local berry wines and liqueurs by the glass or tasting tray
(€12 for five wines and one liqueur). The balcony's panoramas are fabulous.
Pyhän Elian Kirkko
CHURCH
(Kirkkotie 15; 11.30am-5.30pm late Jun-mid-Aug)
This beautiful wooden Orthodox church has a striking Russian influence. Follow the
kalmisto
(graveyard) sign to the waterfront
Kokonniemi Cemetery
, where trees shade the
graves of those lost in the many conflicts the town has endured.
Lutheran Church
CHURCH
(Henrikintie 1; 11.30am-5.30pm late Jun-mid-Aug)
When the Swedes took the area they sought to convert the Orthodox population by build-
ing this gigantic Lutheran church in 1796. It's also known as the Church of a Hundred An-
gels for its colourful and comprehensive wall paintings, completed in 1832 by Samuel
Elmgren.
