Kotka city in Finland. What is worth seeing in Kotka? Department store Citymarke t

In the very south of Finland, on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, is the city of Kotka, founded in 1879. Here everything breathes and lives by the sea - it is not surprising that the family of Emperor Alexander III, who ruled Russia at the end of the 19th century, came here so often. In the labyrinth of islands and canals, among picturesque nature, every person will feel their importance in the face of a powerful, but so beautiful nature.
Today the city of Kotka, by the way, translated from Finnish as “eagle,” is a major cultural center and the largest export port in Finland. The city offers tourists several recreation options: you can go sightseeing in Kotka, you can try yourself in extreme descent on the Kymi-Yoki rapids or just go fishing in the open sea.
What to see in Kotka? Firstly, Emperor's House, which many call one of the city's main attractions. The already mentioned Emperor Alexander the Third with his crowned family often came to Kotka. They stayed at a lodge on the shore Langinkoski waterfall- a small wooden house appeared in this place in 1889. After the revolution of 1917, the house almost disappeared from the face of the earth, it was so dilapidated. The local residents themselves saved it from destruction, and the museum was organized in 1933. Today, the entire area around the museum (which includes a waterfall with rapids) has the status of a protected area.
Secondly, it’s worth renting for ecological complex Sapokka. This is not just the pride of the city, it is one of the most famous Finnish parks. Here everything is harmonious and everything complements each other - stones, plants, water and even light. 20 meter waterfall completes the fabulous experience. In its upper part there is granite rock garden. Every spring, the park literally blooms - thousands of tulips, daffodils, and crocuses delight the eye and soothe the soul. In summer they are joined by alpine roses and azaleas. Add to all of the above the fantastic evening lighting, and consider yourself to have fallen in love with Sapokka Park forever. By the way, the city of Kotka is generally unusually rich in parks: Catherine the Great Marine Park, which in winter turns into an ice and snow fairy tale, Sibelius Park, Park of Monuments and Sculptures on Keskusatu street, Fuxinpuisto Park, or simply luxury azalea park, And "Herb Garden", laid inside ancient defensive structures. The needs of people with visual impairments are taken into account here - all plants are equipped with signs with inscriptions in Braille.
Thirdly, it’s worth coming to Kotka for Vellamo Maritime Center. The Maretarium is a giant aquarium, the pride of the city. Almost all underwater fauna and almost all underwater inhabitants are represented here. The Vellamo Maritime Center tells visitors not only about the sea, but also about life on land. By the way, you can also buy souvenirs there. The museum center has its own pier, to which one of the oldest icebreakers in the world is moored.
Yes, and be sure to check out the museums of Kotka: Kymenlaakso Museum And Aeronautics Museum, whose name speaks for itself. Wooden Boat Center- another tourist must-see, a visit to which is included in the mandatory attraction program of those who rent. “Every resident of Kotka has a boat,” as they say in the city. The Boat Center stores, creates and restores wooden boats. You can watch the craftsmen at work through huge windows right in the Center. You won't see this anywhere else.
Fifthly, you need to visit the city of Kotka for a boat trip to the nearest forts. On the island of Varissaari there is fort elizabeth- people come here in the summer for picnics, barbecues, or just for a couple of hours on the beach. The island's attractions are restored fragments of ancient fortifications. Defensive fortifications of Kukouri Island - Fort Slava- were significantly destroyed; special sheds were later built to strengthen them.
The sea in Kotka is not just visible and heard, it is felt everywhere. Wherever you go, you will definitely meet the sea along the way, as they say in the city. The Sutochno.ru portal invites you to visit and wishes you only bright sea experiences!

Kotka means “eagle” in Finnish. The island of Kotka, where the city, popular among St. Petersburg tourists, is now located, did not get its name by chance: the fish-eating white-tailed eagle is still found in the surrounding area. It is he who is depicted on the city’s coat of arms: a flying golden eagle holding in its hands a silver sea anchor and the symbol of trade of the caduceus - the rod of Mercury.

All elements of the coat of arms accurately reflect the past and present of the city. Kotka was a former military port and now a major trading port on the Baltic Sea, a city between East and West, where the unique coastal nature is valued and protected. In this park city, immersed in greenery and fragrant with flowers, it is always easy to breathe thanks to the sea winds from the Gulf of Finland. But the history of Kotka is not so rosy: it is connected with the military confrontation between Sweden and Russia in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Until the 18th century there were no settlements on the island of Kotka. Life on the island changed radically in 1789-1790, and the reason for this was one of the historically important episodes in the struggle between Sweden and Russia for ownership of coastal Finnish lands. Military relations between rival countries during the 18th century developed in Russia's favor. As a result of the “Northern War”, the Peace of Nystad was concluded in 1721, and part of the lands went to Russia. In 1741, the Swedes began the war in the hope of winning back what they had lost, but they were again defeated. As a result of this war, the Peace of Abo was signed in 1743, according to which the border passed along the western branch of the Kymi River. In 1788, the revenge-seeking Swedish king Gustav III, cousin of Catherine the Great, again made an attempt to return the lost lands of Finland. On August 13 (August 24), 1789, a battle took place near the shores of the island of Kotka, which went down in history as the first Rochensalm - named after the place of the event - the Strait of Rochensalm. This is the Russian version of the name Swedish Strait, in Finnish - Ruotsinsalmi, in Swedish - Svenskzund. It ended in complete victory for the Russian fleet. During the second, which took place on June 28-29 (July 9-19), Russia suffered a tremendous defeat. During the fighting, about 40 percent of the Baltic coastal fleet was destroyed: 52 ships and more than 7 thousand people. Of the five rowing frigates, four were captured, one - “St. Nicholas” - sank.

The painting by Per Hillestram depicts the moment when Russian ship banners are brought into the Great Pickaxe of Stockholm as a trophy. Photo from the Internet.

Looking ahead, let’s say that only in 1948 Finnish divers discovered the hull of “St. Nicholas” at a depth of 16 meters near Kotka. Almost 30 years later, in 1975, about 2,300 objects of historical value, a large number of weapons and the remains of Russian sailors were brought ashore, which were later buried in the Russian Orthodox cemetery in Kotka. In memory of those killed in this, the largest naval battle in history, two monuments were erected in Kotka - “Girl with a Wreath” by Mikhail Anikushin and a memorial stele from the Swedish state.

According to the Treaty of Verel, neither side acquired additional territories, however, the defeat in the second Battle of Rochensalm showed how vulnerable St. Petersburg was from the sea. The wounded Catherine II called the Verel Peace Treaty a slap in the face, which Russia had not received since the defeat at Narva. In 1790, by decree of the empress, General Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov took up the strategically important issue of strengthening the Russian-Swedish border. Over the course of several years, under his leadership, 6 new fortresses were built along the border. The Rochensalm fortress on the island of Kotka and its surroundings was supposed to protect the approaches to the border from the sea and become the base of the Russian rowing fleet in the Baltic, and the Kyminlinna fortress - in Russian Kymengorod - from the mainland.

Regarding the construction of Rochensalm, one interesting fact is worth noting. As mentioned above, the name of the city of Kotka was given by the white-tailed eagle that lives here. However, there is another version. Before Russian troops arrived on the island, there were no settlements here. However, the land was not ownerless, it was part of the rich Kymenkartano estate, owned by the wealthy Hamina timber merchant Anthony Nath. The owner of the estate rented out the island. This was a common practice at that time. Torpari (as landless citizens were called) rented land - torp - for a long period of time and lived off it. So, on a rocky and small one - about 2 sq. km. – on the island of Kotka there was one torpar named Yrje Kotka, who lived in the area of ​​​​what is now Sapokka Park. When it was decided to build a fortress, Suvorov bought the lands of the Kyumenkartano estate from state funds, and it began to be called in Russian - Kyumengrad.

It is known that Rochensalm was built by Poles exiled here, participants in the uprising led by Tadeusz Kościuszko, suppressed in 1794, and local peasants. The fortification system included forts “Elizabeth”, “Slava” and “Ekaterina”, redoubts and batteries built on nearby islands. There was a lighthouse at the highest point of the island of Kotka. Many fortress buildings have survived to this day, and urban development is largely determined by the fortress layout. For example, the main city square of Kotka, between the city hall and the shopping center, is well known to tourists in the past and was a military parade ground.

The settlement in Rochensalm was about 10 thousand people, of which about 10 percent were civilians - members of officer families, merchants, artisans, and working people. In the western part of the island of Kotka there was a hospital, and in the northern part there was a port for warships.

In 1809, after the conclusion of the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty, which resulted in the annexation of Finland to Russia as a separate principality, the need for Rochensalm as a military facility disappeared. The fleet and garrison were relocated to Sveaborg (now Suomenlinna, a fortress 15 minutes by boat from the pier from the Helsinki Market Square), the buildings began to collapse. It was during this period that another – prison – page of Rochensalm fell. Most of the participants in the noble uprising on Senate Square in St. Petersburg in December 1825 were sentenced to exile in Siberia. But there weren’t enough postal triplets to send everyone at the same time. Therefore, some ended up in Finland - in the Svartholm fortress near Loviisa and Kegsholm (now Priozersk, Leningrad region). Alexey Tyutchev, Alexander Bestuzhev, Matvey Muravyov-Apostol, Anton Arbuzov and Ivan Yakushkin ended up in Rochensalm, more precisely in Fort Slava located on the island.

The stay here turned out to be difficult: dampness, disgusting food, lack of good quality fresh water, inability to receive books and communicate with other prisoners. Therefore, when the Governor-General of Finland Arseny Zakrevsky, who visited the fort, asked whether the “inmates” wanted to stay here until the end of their term, no one agreed with this proposal.

By the way, here Alexander Bestuzhev, who at that time was already known in the literary community under the pseudonym Alexander Marlinsky, composed the poem “Andrey, Prince of Pereyaslavsky” - about the ancient times of Russian history. Since the prisoners were not entitled to either ink or paper, he wrote poetry with crushed coal using a piece of tin.

The Decembrists left Rochensalm, and the life of the fortress was already short-lived. During the Crimean War there were also battles in the Baltic, and in 1855 the military installations of Rochensalm were blown up by a British-French squadron. The fortress was almost completely destroyed from the sea; only the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas survived, which the British saved for robbery. There is a legend in the city that this happened thanks to the intercession of local resident Maria Purpur. And although this is just a legend, in 1999 a monument to the “savior” of the temple, authored by Juta Eskel, appeared next to the temple.

The era of industrialization and the Kymi River, which, according to scientists, has been carrying its stormy waters through the Kymenlaakso region to the Gulf of Finland for 6,000 years, brought new life to the island of Kotka. The richest river in salmon, which also contains most of the fish known in Finland, has always fed the people living on its banks. In the mid-19th century, during the economic boom, it became clear that the blue highways of Kymi were excellent for rafting wood from Central Finland, and the island of Kotka was an excellent place for exporting it abroad. The Norwegian entrepreneur Hans Gutzeit, a native of Germany, whose father was the founder of steam sawmills in Norway, also understood this. In 1872, Hans Gutzeit sold his business in Norway and moved to the island of Kotka with his family, equipment and workers in May. On November 16, the Gutzeit sawmill was inaugurated, marking the beginning of the Enso-Gutzeit company. By the way, the workers brought from Norway lived in dormitories in appalling conditions, as we would say today - like guest workers. Almost simultaneously, construction of the port began. In 1878, Kotka was founded as a settlement, and in 1879 it received city rights.

Today Kotka is a seaside town scattered on islets in the lower reaches of the Kymijoki River and adjacent parts of the mainland. The city also includes the village of Karhula, which stretches along the E-18 highway. 55 thousand people live in Kotka, and it deserves to be visited by every tourist arriving in Suomi. Kotka is a major port, logistics and industrial center, but when you arrive here, thoughts of industry are unlikely to cross your mind. Firstly, because Kotka is an environmentally friendly port. Secondly, because your eyes will run wild from the local beauties and attractions. From the Sapokka Water Park and the Sibelius Park, blooming rhododendrons and hydrangeas, the spice garden and herbs. You may want to unravel the unexpected zigzags of the imagination of Finnish artists, whose sculptures are installed on the streets of the city, or listen to symphonic music. You'll probably want to walk the remains of the ruined Rochensalm fortress in the city and islands, or the Catherine's Path at Fort St. Catherine. Like most tourists, you will most likely visit the Imperial Hut in Langinkoski, the same one where Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna loved to relax.

Photo: Kotka City Tourist Office

The town of Kotka is quite modest by today's standards. The sights of this place fascinate literally everyone from the first minutes. Why? Experienced travelers claim that there are actually many prerequisites for this, because in the modern world it is quite difficult to find settlements in which history and modernity, fishing and numerous recreation areas are so successfully intertwined.

City General description

Historians claim that its foundation dates back to 1878. It was in this year that the decision was made on the need to create a reliable and superbly equipped seaport for the entire state.

Linguists, in turn, will help you understand this name, which is quite unusual for the ears of Russian people. In Russian, Kotka means “city of Eagle”. A very symbolic and, one might say, even majestic name, which traces the love and pride of the founders for their small homeland.

Today, 55 thousand people permanently live in Kotka. And the town was built not far from Russia - the border is only 279 km.

Prerequisites for city construction

Kotka shows its sights very willingly, but all of them are determined either by location or by the glory of the toiling village, which has been engaged in its own special trade from time immemorial.

This Finnish town is located on the shores of the bay of the same name. Its construction was determined by the need to build a port, which would play an important role in organizing the supply of timber from Finland. To provide access to timber transporters, as well as to sawmills, it was decided to establish the port city of Kotka.

From the central regions, logs were floated along the Kumijoki River to the Kotka region, where there were many sawmills. After cutting, the wood material was exported.

What is modern Kotka like?

Today Kotka is of great importance in creating the conditions necessary for the export of wood materials abroad. But that's not all.

Now it is also one of the largest Finnish cargo ports, occupying a leading position in the country in the field of transit transportation. It is known far beyond the borders of Finland, because ships are sent all over the world, and the quality of local wood is valued even on the other side of the ocean.

Towards loneliness and peace

It is believed that only the most tired travelers or complete romantics go on vacation to Kotka. There are especially many visitors here at the very end of summer. Why? The fact is that at this time there are a huge number of mushrooms and berries in the vicinity of Kotka. You can wander to your heart's content among the golden, yellow and crimson trees, admire the breathtaking seascapes, marvel at the huge ships and dream with a cup of tea in some local cafe.

There are many hotels in the city. There are city hotels and guest villas. All this at very reasonable prices. As a rule, free parking is also provided.

Fisherman's house

It should be noted that if there is still a place left in Finland that can capture the imagination of even the most experienced traveler, it is Kotka. The attractions of this city are mainly aimed at getting to know the history, culture and traditions of the population living in it. For example, here you can look at a real fisherman’s house, which today is a museum with unique exhibits.

The history of its construction is known for certain. The amazing nature of these places charmed the Russian Emperor Alexander III, who decided to build a house here that could accommodate the royal family.

The interior of this house has been carefully preserved for a long time. Office, kitchen, living room, wardrobe - all rooms look the same as they did a hundred years ago! There is a magnificent park near the house.

The river that flows near the city is rich in salmon. The log house is maintained in proper condition, everything is maintained as it was many, many years ago.

A visit to this fisherman's house allows you to get a vivid feeling of touching the beautiful nature of Finland.

A real maritime museum

There is a huge maretarium in Kotka. This building is the pride of the city residents. Many live here in their natural environment. It’s hard to imagine that there are already more than 50 species of fish in the maretarium today. And this, of course, is not the limit.

There are two aquariums located inside the room. The depth of the large one is 7 m. However, there are no coral fish, which are usual for such establishments, and it’s not worth looking closely. But there are specimens that are found in the Baltic Sea.

Pike perch, whitefish, pike, roach, tench - this is not a complete list of the inhabitants of these wonderful aquariums. Water for filling them is taken from the Gulf of Finland.

By the way, you can feed large carp and perch directly from your hands by diving into the depths with special equipment. Not only fish live in the maretarium. You can also watch frogs, newts and water snakes here, which go to sleep in winter. There is a maritime shop here, where you can buy souvenirs if you wish.

Modern exhibition center Vellamo

The Vellamo Maritime Centre, which opened in 2008, hosts many exhibitions. At the kiosk located here you can buy souvenirs, and in the restaurant and cafe you can have a wonderful rest.

The center has its own pier, near which stands the Tarmo icebreaker museum, built back in 1907. This is one of the oldest icebreakers on our planet. By the way, to the delight of both young and adult visitors, you can climb up it and stand on the captain’s bridge. It is also recommended to go down into the interior to fully get acquainted with the arrangement of the engine room.

In the adjacent hangar, visitors enjoy viewing a patrol boat, a rescue boat and a collection of boat engines.

Kotka. Sights from the natural world

The wonderful nature of Finland attracts many travelers. Sapokka Water Park is amazingly beautiful at any time of the year. This environmentally friendly object is recognized throughout the world as a wonderful creation of stone.

Many people are interested in why the park has such a name and what attracts a huge number of tourists here. The fact is that Sapokka Park is surrounded by bays. In shape they resemble boots, in fact, that’s why the place got its name - Sapokka, which in Russian means “boot”.

And they come here to enjoy the unique nature. For example, there is a waterfall here, the height of which is 12 m. The water of the source collapses with a roar, and then spreads out in streams and ends up in picturesque ponds.

Not everyone knows that there is an exhibition in the park, where a variety of natural stones are presented. Finns love Sapokka very much and believe that this place is beautiful at any time of the year. In summer, the air in the park is surprisingly fragrant. In autumn, visitors find themselves as if in a fairy tale - the plants are so beautiful, acquiring the typically bright colors for this time of year. They admire the silence of nature here.

When going for a walk in the park, don't forget to take your camera with you. “Sapokka. Kotka. Finland" is a photo that should definitely decorate your family archive.

Section 9. Center for Wooden Architecture

There is also a unique center in Finland where you can get acquainted with wooden boats in detail. The purpose of creating this center is to popularize the culture of making wooden boats.

This center not only restores, but also produces boats. Training of future masters is also carried out here. It should be noted that everyone is allowed to observe their work.

Kotka is located quite quickly on the map of Finland, which, however, is not surprising, since the country is small. The city is positioned and promoted at various kinds of tourism exhibitions, because preserving traditions is very important for Finns, who are extremely proud of their crafts.

On May 21, 1878, the Senate of the Autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland decided to found the new city of Kotka (translated from Finnish as “Eagle”) on the island of Kotkansaari. At the moment, the area of ​​the city is 274 square meters. kilometers, and the population is approximately 55 thousand people.

Kotka is one of the largest seaside cities in the south-eastern part of Finland, which is located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. It is the second largest export port after Helsinki, and the first Finnish transit port in terms of cargo volumes. The city's highly developed light and heavy industries make it a very significant industrial center in Finland.

In the northern part of the city, on the embankment, there is a rather unusual building that resembles a giant wave, shimmering with the whole palette of colors of the sky and sea. It houses the Vellamo Maritime Center, which also combines the Kymenlakso Museum and the Maritime Museum under its roof. On the pier near the museum you can often see various ships, the history of which is also quite interesting.

One of the main attractions of the city of Kotka is the giant Maretarium aquarium, which is the only aquarium in Finland that displays the inhabitants of the local deep sea. In it you can track the intricate route of fish movement from mountain streams northern Lapland, to the large lakes of central Finland, passing into the waters of the Gulf of Finland. The museum has 22 aquariums, and the largest of them is 7 meters deep. They are home to more than 50 species of fish, and other amphibians such as snakes and lizards can also be found. The aquariums are filled with sea water taken right off the coast of Kotka, so the life of the aquarium inhabitants is as close as possible to the natural one, with its time and natural cycles. In the Maritarium, scuba divers feed the sea creatures, and the process itself turns into an unforgettable show, which numerous tourists and local residents come to watch.

Not far from the city, among untouched nature, in the town of Langenkoski, there is an old imperial fishing house (the unique royal estate of Alexander 3), which is now a museum. Here you can find out almost reliably how representatives of the Russian imperial family rested. Pristine interiors, a large number of utensils, photographs and other exhibits tell better than any textbook how the Russian Emperor was conquered by Finnish nature. Keisarinsatama (or translated into Russian as “Tsar’s Harbor”) is the name given to the mouth of the Kymi River, where the museum is located, along which Emperor Alexander 3 loved to get to his beloved estate.

Kotka's parks, as in many Finnish cities, make an unforgettable impression and have often received various awards. I would especially like to mention the Sapokka water park with its coastal area, transformed by skilled specialists into a delightful flowering area with a beautiful local landscape. The bay juts out from the sea into the island of Kotkansari, forming a miniature bay in the center of the city. The main element of the park is water, the murmur of which can be heard everywhere here: in small streams flowing from the tops of the hill, and in a huge waterfall, the waters of which crash against the rocks near the shore. At the very top, at the foot of the waterfall, there is a composition of more than 20 samples of local natural stone, processed and turned into bizarre blocks, arranged in a chaotic manner. The park's organizers made sure that all the plants that grow in it bloomed in turn, starting in spring and ending in autumn. When darkness falls, the park turns on special, skillfully selected lighting, and it appears in a completely new, mysterious light. This park has surpassed any other park in Finland in terms of the number of awards. We definitely recommend that you visit this place when.

Catherine's Marine Park (Ruotsinsalmi Fortress) used to be the main defensive structure of the city, built back in the 18th century, and equipped with artillery batteries. The name "Catherine's Fort" comes from its founder, Empress Catherine the Great. In the 30s of the twentieth century, an industrial oil port was built here, which was subsequently (in the 90s) moved to another location (Mussalo port), on the opposite bank. In 2002, large-scale cleanup work was carried out on the cape, after which, with the help of designers and craftsmen, a plan was drawn up, and then the current park with a total area of ​​20 hectares was built. Due to its location, it is almost always sunny, and autumn storms are best observed from this windy peninsula.

The second most important park in Kotka is Sibelius Park, which is located right in the city center, re-opened in 2000. During its existence, it has seen a lot, and during the latest reconstruction, a section of the city wall was found, which was partially restored, and now it decorates part of the park, reminding residents of its history.

There is also the Isopuisto park (approximately 8 hectares) - perhaps the oldest park in the city, in the center of which stands the Church of St. Nicholas, which, like the Admiralty in St. Petersburg, was built according to the design of the architect Jacob Perrny, in 1801. The English style of the park has preserved elements of the natural landscape, several natural lawns and a small rock, and a huge flower bed with perennial flowers laid out nearby, planned so that the plants planted on it would bloom from spring to autumn, fits very well into the overall picture.

And finally, the Kumparepuisto park is a beautiful small green island located on three hills, at the top of one of which there is an observation tower almost fifty meters high. From such a height you can see almost the entire city, and spend a long time watching the seagulls frolicking near the seashore. At any time of the year you can find something to do here: in winter it’s skiing and sledding, and in summer it’s hiking and barbecuing. green lawns.

But the most important place that attracts tourists visiting this city is, perhaps, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was built in 1898 and is located in the very center of Kotka. Its height is 54 meters. It is operational and can accommodate 1,500 parishioners. The new organ, installed for the church's 100th anniversary, sounds great, highlighting the amazing acoustics of the building.

Come to the green city by the sea...

We also want to remind you that "Abis Tour" offers you one-day and multi-day tours.

Kotka is a major industrial and cultural center of Finland. It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, in the south of Finland, and very close to the border. The distance to is only 279 kilometers. Throughout its existence, the city has been one of the main ports of Finland. It is not surprising that today Kotka is the largest export port of Suomi.

History of the city of Kotka.

But tourists are attracted to this place more by its unique sights and nature than by its rich history. And yet, we will begin with an excursion into the past. The history of Finland is in many ways intertwined with the history of Russia. Another confirmation of this is the history of the city of Kotka. The port city was founded in 1879 on islands near the mouth of the Kymi-Joki River, off the northern shore of the Gulf of Finland. It was Kotka that Alexander III chose to enjoy the tranquil beauty of northern nature.

History of the city of Kotka.

However, Empress Catherine the Great was the first to visit here. In 1791, the islands of Kotka, Kukosaari and Varissaari in the Gulf of Finland were part of the Russian Empire. During the war, Catherine II, understanding the strategic importance of this place, established a port here for the purpose of protection from the Swedes, who owned Finland in those years. The construction of the Rochensalm fortress and port continued until 1796, and Count Suvorov led this action. Forts Catherine, Slava and Elizaveta, military defensive fortifications and structures were erected, and a lighthouse was installed on the island of Kotka. But in 1809, when Sweden ceded Finland to Russia, Rochensalm's defensive purpose was lost. But the forts remained. And it’s worth visiting them at least for the landscapes that open from them.

Imperial hut.

The main attraction of the city of Kotka is the Imperial Izba. Alexander III and his wife Maria Fedorovna chose a place in Kotka for fishing on the banks of the Langinkoski waterfall - a small wooden house was built in 1889. The royal family got here by water - by ship.

Imperial hut.

After the death of the emperor, Maria Feodorovna never came to the shores of Langinkoski again. After the revolution, the house was badly damaged and dilapidated, but the city residents, on their own initiative, did not allow it to collapse, and in 1933 a museum was organized here. The house and its decoration are the same as when the royal couple rested here. Next to the hut there is an Orthodox chapel built by the monks of the Valaam Monastery, as well as a small fishing house of the emperor. The waterfall with its rapids and the surrounding area have the status of a protected area. On the ground floor of the museum there is a living room, kitchen, dressing room of the empress and the study of the emperor. On the second floor are the chambers of the imperial couple. In May and September the museum is open from 10 to 16.00, in the summer from 10 to 18.00. Adult ticket – 5 euros, children’s ticket – 2 euros, group ticket – 4 euros.

Haukkavuori observation tower.

An unforgettable adventure for children and their parents - exploring the surrounding area from a height of 72 meters above sea level. The Haukkavuori observation tower is located in the very center of the island of Kotka. It offers views of the center of Kotka, the Gulf of Finland and islands, including the island of Gogland or Suursaari, located 40 km from Kotka. The Haukkavuori observation tower (in Finnish: Haukkavuoren näkötorni) was built back in 1920. At first it was a water tower. During World War II it was used for air surveillance, and in 1960 it was opened to tourists. The tower address is Keskuskatu 51. A ticket for an adult costs 5 euros, a child accompanied by an adult is free.

The main church of Kotka.

Walking around the city, one cannot help but notice the central church of Kotka, built according to the design of Joseph Daniel Stenback. The red brick church was built in the neo-Gothic style and was consecrated in 1898. Inside, the church is decorated with magnificent stained glass and rose windows, columns and masterfully executed wood carvings. The altarpiece was painted by Pekka Halonen. The church organ, made by Martti Portan, was installed in 1998. The church is a popular venue for concerts. Address: Kirkkokatu 26

Church of St. Nicholas.

The Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is located in the very center of the city. This is one of the oldest buildings made in the Empire style, not only in Kotka, but throughout Finland. One of the most famous icons of this church depicts the face of St. Nicholas on the island of Kotkansaari with the Battle of Ruotsinsalmi in the background. On the altar side of the temple there is an old cemetery where the remains of Russian sailors who died in the battle on the frigate Nikolai in 1790 are buried. Address: Pyhän Nikolaoksen kirkko Isopuisto, Kotkansaari, Kotka 48100

Komi Church.

The stone church of Kymi was consecrated back in 1851. The building was built in the Empire style according to standard drawings by K. L. Engel. The church is located on a mountain, among pine trees, in the center of the cemetery in Karhula. The height of the chapel reaches 34 meters, and the bells used in it were produced already in 1736, originally for another church. The huge altar candlesticks were donated to the church in 1901 by workers from the Karhula glass factory. And the oldest chandelier in the church, located closer to the altar, was made in 1790. Address: Suntionkatu, Helila

Maritime Center Vellamo.

This museum opened only in 2008, but now it is one of the most popular in all of Finland. Most of the exhibitions in the center are devoted to information about the regions of Kotka and Hamina, as well as the history of shipbuilding in Suomi. You can also visit the century-old Tarmo icebreaker museum, moored at the Vellamo pier (the center is located in the port of Kantasatama on the Baltic Sea). This icebreaker was built in 1907 in England and is one of the oldest icebreakers in the world. In addition to museums and exhibitions, on the territory of the Vellamo Maritime Center there is a cozy restaurant Laakonki and a souvenir shop Plootu. During the summer, Vellamo hosts outdoor exhibitions and events. Address: Tornatorintie 99 48100 Kotka

Sapokka Water Park.

The city has many beautiful places: Isopuisto Landscape Park, Sibelius Park, Fuchsia Park, Monument and Sculpture Park on Keskuskatu Street. However, the most interesting is the Sapokka water park. The territory of the park is surrounded by a bay, similar in shape to a boot, hence the name of the park. This park is literally made of water: water flows through the park in streams, tiny lakes and even in a 20-meter waterfall on the southern slope of the park. At the top of the waterfall there is a garden of granite stones. In the spring, thousands of tulips, crocuses and daffodils bloom in the park, and azaleas and alpine roses bloom in the summer. In the evening you can admire the fantastic lighting in the park. The park welcomes guests all year round.

Aviation Museum.

It is also worth visiting the aviation museum located at the Kymi airfield. Here you will see 15 aircraft, including rare Harakka training gliders, a Fouga Magister, a MIG-21F fighter and the world's only operational World War II Glouster Gauntlet fighter.

The city has two centers: Kotkansaari on the island of Kotka, and Karhula on the mainland to the north. It is a major Finnish port, the second largest export port and the largest transit port in Finland. Although the city's rights were only granted in 1878, Kotka has a rich history and played an important role in many battles, especially at sea, between Sweden and Russia. The appearance of the city is largely determined by the Kymijoki River, the Baltic Sea and the archipelago around it - most of the city is occupied by water.