Open the left IMATRA menu. All about Imatra What to visit in Imatra

The hospitable and picturesque Finnish city of Imatra is located a few kilometers from the Russian-Finnish border. This city was founded in 1948 around three industrial complexes. Today Imatra has transformed into a modern city with developed infrastructure. The main attraction of the city is its magnificent nature - forests and lakes. In addition, the city has preserved many architectural monuments that reflect the cultural traditions and history of the city’s development.

Imatrankoski Waterfall

The most striking attraction of Imatra is the magnificent Imatrankoski waterfall, which is located in its central part. Local residents called this waterfall the “Finnish Niagara,” and in 1772, Empress Catherine herself came to admire its beauty and grandeur. A dam was built in 1929, and the release of water at the waterfall is always carried out according to the established schedule. This process is accompanied by spectacular musical compositions and a mesmerizing light show. For intrepid locals and daring travelers alike, it offers the opportunity to fly freely over the rushing waters.

Crown Park

The very first nature reserve in Finland is located on the territory of Imatra. This attraction was founded in 1842 by order of Nicholas I. Here you can stroll along quiet paths and relax in beautiful summer gazebos, which are installed in the most picturesque places of the park. In the park you can see glacial pits, royal panoramic pavilions, hundred-year-old pine trees, granite rocks with mystical formations on them. Crown Park provides visitors with the opportunity not only to enjoy the amazing beauty of nature, but also to touch the history of the development of Finland.

Monument "Maiden of Imatra"

Not far from the picturesque waterfall, next to the bridge, an original monument was erected in 1972 - “The Virgin of Imatra”. This landmark is considered a symbol of suicides that occurred in the rapids of the seething Vuoksi River. It should be noted that in the 19th century it was popular to come to the waterfall and commit suicide by throwing yourself into the waters of the river. To stop this process, a ban on the sale of tickets in one direction was even introduced. The monument was created according to the sketches of the sculptor Taisto Martiskainen and represents a female silhouette made of bronze, slightly raised above the water.

Museum "Karelian House"

The most visited object in the city is considered to be a unique open-air museum - “Karelian House”. This attraction is located on the river bank and consists of 11 structures that reveal the features of a Karelian village of the 19th century. In each building you can see household items of the Karelian people, which introduce them to their cultural traditions and way of life.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

This landmark was built in 1956 and initially received the status of a chapel. But a few years later it was consecrated as a church. The religious building is made in a simple style and decorated with beautiful wood trim. The architectural ensemble of the church harmoniously combines with the magnificent bell tower. The interior of the church is decorated in the classic style of Orthodox churches with icons, an altar and candlesticks.

Art Museum

In 1951, the famous Art Museum was opened on the territory of the city, which at that time was one of the first in Finland. Today, within the walls of this attraction there are about 1,500 exhibits. A special place in the museum is occupied by works by Finnish and foreign artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as engravings by Japanese masters of the 17th century. Annual temporary exhibitions are also organized here, which attract many tourists and residents of Imatra.

Sculpture Park

Not far from the center of Imatra there is an unusual place - the Sculpture Park, founded by the Finnish artist and yoga adherent Veijo Renkenen. On the territory of this attraction there are 500 figures that are frozen in interesting poses or in the process of certain actions. Each sculpture is original and realistic. Park visitors often get the impression that an unusual figure is about to come to life and follow them.

Church of Three Crosses

This attraction of Imatra is located in the middle of a pine forest and is still operational today. The Church of Three Crosses was built by the talented architect Alvar Aalto in 1957. A special feature of this building is the magnificent bell tower, which is designed in the shape of a long arrow, as well as the original altar with three crosses, symbolizing the crosses of Golgotha. In addition, the church building is decorated with a large number of windows, which differ in shape and size. To be precise, there are 103 windows in the Church of Three Crosses. This attraction looks most impressive in the evening, when lights come on in all the windows.

Water park "Magic Forest"

A favorite vacation spot for Imatra residents and tourists is the wonderful Magic Forest water park, which will give a great mood not only to children, but also to adults. There are unique water attractions, forest caves, raging rivers, steep slides and other entertainment.

The city of Imatra is located right on the border with Russia, and its unique proximity to the Russian city of Svetogorsk (Finnish name Enso) makes it a very popular holiday destination among our tourists. This village arose in 1948, around three industrial facilities located here. Now, it is a modern industrial center with a developed infrastructure and is strongly focused on attracting guests from Russia. It must be said that a huge number of Russian tourists visit it throughout the year and their number is only increasing. Note that Svetogorsk and Imatra are two unique cities, since they are located a short distance from each other, on the very border of the European Union and the Russian Federation.

Its population is relatively small and is currently home to about 32,000 people. The Russian border checkpoint through which you can directly enter this settlement is called the Svetogorsk international checkpoint and it operates around the clock. The distance is about 7 kilometers. If we talk about the time difference between our countries, then in winter it is 1 hour, and in summer there is no difference. Imatra is located on the shores of the largest lake Saimaa and is divided into 3 districts. The famous Vuoksa River originates here, which then flows into Lake Ladoga.

Vuoksa offers excellent fishing both in summer and winter, and walking paths and bicycle paths are laid along the banks of the river. For those who love active recreation, you can leave your cars in the parking lot in Svetogorsk and cross the border on bicycles. This is very convenient and comfortable, since there is no need to stand in queues. If we talk about distances, then St. Petersburg is located 210 kilometers, Vyborg is 55 km, Helsinki is 256 km, and Lappeenranta is 37 km. As we noted earlier, Imatra is strongly focused on tourists from Russia and here you will find many different stores with goods from famous world brands.

Many shops are located in the city center, on the so-called pedestrian street. Prizma, K-Citymarket, Rayamarket and Lidl supermarkets are very popular. These are huge hypermarkets where you can buy almost all the necessary goods. There are many famous clothing and shoe stores. Therefore, if you are going to go shopping in Imatra, then they will be able to satisfy any needs and requests. After shopping, you will have a great opportunity to try national Finnish dishes in numerous cafes and.

You can also eat right in the center, as there are enough places where you can sit well and taste various delicious dishes, including national ones. Note that kebab cafes are very popular. This is an Arabic cuisine where you can also order different types of pizza. Of course, every traveler who comes to another country is interested in the question of spending time.

It will be interesting to visit popular spa complexes with water parks, such as or. These are modern hotels that offer their visitors excellent relaxation and numerous entertainments. In addition to water parks, there is a city sports center, which also has a 25-meter swimming pool. You can visit the Ice Palace and go ice skating.

Golf and bowling enthusiasts will also be able to try their hand at the event and show off their skills. If you like skiing, then go. It is located near Imatra in Joutseno. It's very interesting and exciting. And of course, fishing, which will not leave our fishermen indifferent. Alternatively, you can go to the Vuoksen Kalastuspuisto fishing park, which is located on the island of Varpasaari and can be found next to the city swimming pool.

Photo: website

You can take bicycles and take a short walk around the city, as there is all the necessary infrastructure for this. You can easily find your favorite entertainment and you definitely won’t be bored. One of the main attractions is rightfully considered the ancient Castle in Imatra. Now it is a real spa hotel called Scandic Imatran Valtionhotelli and is a must see. And if you are traveling for several days, then you will have an excellent opportunity to book one of its rooms.

There is another interesting feature of these places. Around the hotel there is an ancient reserve called “Kruununpuisto” and it was created by decree of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I. In the summer, a whole performance takes place associated with the discharge of water into the Vuoksu River. And without any exaggeration, this is one of the main attractions in Imatra. You can watch a real show with water descending into a huge canyon, with music and light effects. Note that this is a popular attraction that attracts many tourists.

In conclusion, we would like to add that the city of Imatra is a popular place for shopping and active recreation, which is definitely worth a visit. Moreover, it is located near the border and the journey does not take much time. In our next article we will tell you, which is located approximately 40 kilometers from Imatra. This is another very popular center in Finland, where tourists from Russia like to relax and shop. You will learn about popular attractions, shops and recreational areas.

Imatra is one of the ten most attractive cities in Finland from a tourist point of view. Modest in its ambitions, with a population of less than 30 thousand people, it has been attracting the attention of travelers for several decades.

Finnish city Imatra

The city is divided into three administrative districts: Imatrankoki, Mansikkala and Vuoksenniska. The area is quite large for a small city: 191 sq. km. This is explained by the fact that the main part of Imatra’s territory is forests and lakes.

This city is perfect for a winter holiday: ski resorts are well developed here. The Imatra ski network, about 100 km long, 3 slopes, downhill skiing - all this attracts fans of extreme winter sports and high European level service.

The longest route along the Mellonmäki slope allows skiers to descend almost all the way to the city. For those who still feel unsure about skiing, there is the opportunity to go on a safari on a motorized sleigh, play a round of golf on ice, take part in winter fishing, take a snowshoe walk under the watchful eye of an instructor, or go on a horseback riding trip. You can end a day full of impressions and also get some gastronomic pleasures in the golf restaurant “Rantahovi”.

City `s history

The village of Imatra was founded in 1948 around three large industrial complexes located here. Over the course of 50 years, the village has grown from isolated scattered settlements into a modern industrial city.

Imatra is home to the largest lake in Finland, Saimaa. It was thanks to its Imatrankoski waterfall that the city became a popular route for the first Russian tourists three centuries ago. The discoverer of this Finnish town was the great Russian Empress Catherine II. She was the first, together with her retinue, to make a voyage to the rapids of the Imatra. It was the rapids and Imatrankoski waterfall that turned the trips of the Russian aristocracy to Finland into a special tourist chic.

When the railway line connecting St. Petersburg and Imatra was opened in 1892, the city became a tourist mecca for travelers from Russia, and was enormously popular until the outbreak of the First World War.

The war closed the border to Russia, but the Finns opened the rapids again in the 20s, and the number of tourists began to grow again. After the rapids were dammed in 1929, the river only flows during organized shows, which are now held daily in the summer.

Imatra attractions

The city of Imatra in Finland will delight tourists, who definitely need to visit during their holiday in this city.

Imatra Falls remains the main attraction of tourist routes to this day. Here you will see avant-garde monuments: turbines and power lines. On New Year's Day, tourists at the waterfall will be treated to a real show with illumination and fireworks. And not far from the Imatra Falls there is another tourist site - the oldest Finnish nature reserve, Kruununpuisto.

Waterpark Imatra

The Magic Forest water park is famous for its water attractions and the original effect of thunderstorms and rain. It is located at Purjekuja 1. The water park has traditional attractions, two swimming pools, artificial waterfalls, a swimming pool with a jacuzzi, a terrace where you can enjoy sunbathing, a Finnish and Turkish bath and a children's slide.

But the main attraction of the local Imatra water park is an attraction with the effect of rain and thunderstorms, which delights children and adults.

SPA

In addition to swimming pools, a jacuzzi, hydromassage, a Turkish bath and a Finnish sauna, tourists have at their disposal a gym, a table tennis court, as well as hydrotherapy, therapeutic massage, baths with magical herbal infusions and other wellness treatments beneficial for the soul and body.

Rapids of Imatra

Imatrankoski is the most famous Finnish attraction in Europe. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the rapids won the title of the first popular spectacle in Finland. In 1929, after the construction of a hydroelectric power station, the rapids lost their natural appearance and became a spectacular attraction - constant lighting and music by Sibelius. Water is released from the reservoir according to schedule. There are many observation platforms specially equipped near the rapids, from which it is convenient to watch the water festival.

Church of the Three Crosses

This is one of the most unusual buildings in the city. From a historical point of view, the building of the Church of the Three Crosses is relatively young. In 1957, it was designed and built by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, and a year later it was illuminated by Bishop Martti Simojoki from the city of Mikkeli. On the altar of the church there are three crosses, which is how it got its name. They symbolize the crosses from Mount Golgotha, on one of which Jesus was crucified. From an architectural point of view, the church is interesting in that only two of its 100 windows have the same shape. This play with the shapes of light openings allowed the architect and academician Alvar Aalto to achieve an amazing play of light and shadows.

Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

On the way to the Church of the Three Crosses, tourists can visit the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was also built relatively recently, by architect Toivo Paatela in 1956. At first it was a chapel, but in the late 80s it was decided to reconsecrate the chapel into a church.

In Pyassiniemi, on the outskirts of Imatra, in the most picturesque place of the Vuoksa River, tourists often visit the Karelian House Museum, located in the open air. The museum reliably conveys the beauty of the landscape and life of a Finnish village in the 19th century.

Art Museum

This is one of the main cultural attractions of Imatra. The museum building is located in the cultural center of the city. The museum welcomes art lovers all year round. The main collections presented here are works by famous Finnish artists of the 20th century.

Imatra is one of the most convenient Finnish cities for St. Petersburg tourists: it is located near the border, large shops are concentrated here, there are interesting museums, and the rocky and coniferous landscapes are the best nature for photographs as souvenirs. And, importantly, the queues at the border in the Svetogorsk-Imatra area are not as long as at other checkpoints.

Imatra in one day. Photo: paramotor.fi

People go to Imatra to get or revoke a visa, do some shopping and just get some fresh air. How to do it all in one day - read our instructions for conquering Imatra as a Russian tourist.

Plan for a 1-day trip to Imatra:

• Duty-free;
• sightseeing and photography;
• snack;
• shopping.

Duty-free store

The first point of the tourist program immediately after crossing the Russian border is a visit to the Duty-free store. On the border with Imatra, this is a relatively small store where you can buy alcohol, chocolate and other sweets, cosmetics and perfumes duty-free, and therefore cheaper than in Imatra stores.

It is worth noting that if you are traveling to Imatra, as well as to another city in Finland, on a large bus, then this item can be safely omitted - the parking lots at these stores do not provide space for large vehicles.

Attractions: rock canyon, ancient nature reserve, strange monuments and much more

So, you have arrived in the city. The best way to start your walk around Imatra is with sightseeing. Simply because after lunch and shopping there will be no energy left for an excursion. And it is simply impossible to leave the city without seeing the Virgin of Imatra, one of the most beautiful hotels in all of Scandinavia and a fabulous forest.

Imatrankoski Canyon waterfall and the oldest nature reserve in Finland – Kruununpuisto

Until 1929, an ancient waterfall, formed more than 5 thousand years ago, raged on the site of the Imatrankoski Canyon. Russian and Finnish aristocrats and even Catherine the Second herself came to admire it. Now, alas, the “Finnish Niagara” as such no longer exists: it is partially replaced only by the release of water from the hydroelectric dam, which opens on Saturdays in the summer. But even without the waterfall there is something to see here. These are harsh steep cliffs and the bottom of the canyon bristling with sharp stones, as well as luxurious spruce trees, moss-covered boulders, and winding paths of the oldest nature reserve in Finland, Kruununpuisto, located right on the banks of the canyon. And also a scattering of funny monuments around: a huge blue hydroelectric power station turbine, a funny power line monument and a sad sculpture of a suicide girl called the Virgin of Imatra.

In the summer, you can watch extreme sports enthusiasts flying over the waterfall and even take part in it yourself.

When does the waterfall start? In summer on Saturdays at 18-00.

Imatran Valtionhotelli Hotel

A hotel in a small town rarely becomes a tourist attraction, but the Imatran Valtionhotelli is exactly that case. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the architect Usko Nyström planned this hotel in 1902-1903 as a miniature replica of a medieval castle. There is even a huge kitchen, typical of medieval castles, which occupies almost a fifth of the hotel’s area. Secondly, many crowned heads rested at Imatran Valtionhotelli, including the family of the last Russian emperor and the current king of Sweden. Thirdly, it has its own ghost - a mysterious lady in gray. It is unlikely that you will see it yourself, but the hotel staff can tell you a lot of interesting things about it. And finally, the hotel has a smoking lounge, reminiscent of both Sherlock Holmes and Dickens characters - with a fireplace, leather armchairs, guns and trophy skins on the walls.

By the way, not only hotel guests, but also everyone can look into the salon.

Another advantage of the Imatran Valtionhotelli is that it is where most travel companies that organize trips to Imatra begin and end their route. Indeed, it’s probably impossible to imagine a more impressive start to a walk around Imatra.

Address: Imatra 55100, Finland, on the banks of the Imatrankoski canyon

Imatra Veterans Home Museum

This wonderful little museum, located almost opposite the Imatran Valtionhotelli, is dedicated to the Russo-Finnish (Winter) War. Here you can see postcards, dishes, soldiers' uniforms, weapons and fragments of exploding grenades of that time. Museum curator Eila Ikävalko was a member of the women's organization Lotta Svärd in her youth, and her husband Reino Ikävalko is a war veteran.

Address: Torkkelinkatu 3, Imatra 55100

Opening hours: Every day, 12.00-18.00

Price: Adults – 5 €, students and pensioners – 2 €

Church of Three Crosses

Unfortunately, you can visit this amazing place only if you come to Imatra by car - the church is located about 10 minutes drive from the city, surrounded by majestic pine trees. This unusual building was built according to the design of the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Inside there is a lot of light, snow-white walls and an altar, as well as a huge organ that resembles the control panel of an alien ship.

Address: Ruokolahdentie 27, Imatra 55800

Photo for memory: a medieval castle, a protected forest and the soldier Urfene Dzhus

A trip to Imatra can bring back some of the best photos in all of Finland. Moreover, this will not take much time - the most photogenic places of Imatra are literally on the same spot.

Imatran Valtionhotelli

You can arrange a whole photo session here. To begin with, it’s worth filming against the backdrop of the building itself with its narrow “medieval” windows and pointed turrets. Then take a photo on the steps leading to the hotel: in the spring there are huge vases with daffodils, and in the winter there are romantic wooden benches covered with deer skins.

Canyon

If you stand on the bridge across the canyon facing the dam, you will get a wonderful northern photo against the backdrop of harsh granite rocks, shaggy green spruce trees, the canyon bed and the cool Finnish sky.

Kruununpuisto

Although this reserve is located just a stone's throw from the center of Imatra, inside you get the feeling that you are in the Far Far Away Kingdom or the fabulous forest of the Black Forest. Here you can take wonderful photographs in the thicket of the forest, sitting astride a moss-covered boulder or on a huge fallen tree. And if you are very lucky, in the depths of the reserve you can meet and photograph a badger, hedgehog or squirrel.

Imatra Veteran's Home Museum

The wooden sculpture of a Finnish soldier, standing on the porch of the museum and slightly reminiscent of the soldier Oorfene Dzhus, is a great place for fun and atmospheric photographs.

Shopping: clothes, shoes, souvenirs, groceries

Shopping in Imatra is a pleasure. Almost all the shops are located on the main “shopping” street, Koskenparras, which runs right through the city center. In an hour and a half, you can easily buy several bags of clothes, shoes, souvenirs and groceries.

What to buy in Imatra?

Here you can buy high-quality Finnish clothing and cosmetics, souvenirs, and household chemicals. Among the products, tourists like to take home Finnish liqueurs, coffee, chocolate, cheese, cookies, as well as vitamins. It makes no sense to buy Finnish bread, since it is twice as expensive as the domestic one, tea, since in Finland the drink is usually sold in packages, and you need to think carefully before buying fish: it is popular among Russian shopaholics, but can be more expensive fish in domestic stores, so before purchasing you need to recalculate the euro exchange rate.

Do not forget that there are restrictions on the import of goods into Russia. So, you can import no more than 5 kg of animal origin and only in original packaging, no more than 3 liters of alcohol (you will have to pay a duty for each additional liter). Read more about the rules for exporting goods from Finland in our article. When shopping in Imatra stores, think about whether customs will let them through.

Where can I buy?

Shopping street Koskenparras

This cozy pedestrian street in Imatra is definitely worth a stroll, even if you don’t plan to buy anything. Here you can admire small, funny sculptures and inhale the aroma of coffee and fresh pastries wafting from the open doors of small cafes. And here you should definitely (at least for the sake of curiosity!) look into the shops with Finnish clothing brands, local souvenirs, hand-made products and jewelry. In the latter, by the way, among other things, you can inexpensively buy second-hand gold and silver jewelry.

Shopping center Koskenhelmi

The main advantage of this shopping center is its location right on the Koskenparras pedestrian street. Here you can also visit the huge Intersport store, a boutique selling men's and women's clothing Sipari Fashion Company, as well as many other clothing, shoe and jewelry stores.

Address: Koskenparras 5, 55100 Imatra

Shopping center Koskentori

This two-story shopping center is literally a stone's throw from the Koskenparras pedestrian street (between Einonkatu and Helsingintie streets). Finnish clothing brands Seppala, Lindex, Vero moda, Dressmann and KappAhl have stores here. In addition, in Koskentori there is a K-Market supermarket, a pharmacy, a small cafe, a Finnish design store Pentik, a cosmetics boutique Emotion and a clothing store for children and teenagers Frendi Shop.

Address: Napinkaari 3, Imatra

Opening hours: Mon-Fri:10.00-18.00, Sat: 10.00-14.00

K-Supermarket

Although the K-Supermarket is located right on the already familiar Koskenparras pedestrian street, it is still better to leave it for last. The reason for this is simple - K-Supermarket sells quite weighty and voluminous goods - food, drinks, household chemicals, sports equipment.

Address: Koskenparras 5, Imatra

Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 07.00-21.00, Sat: 7.00-18.00, Sun: 12.00-18.00

Prisma

Address: Terminaalikatu 21, Pihkalanjärventie 3, Lappeenranta.

Material on the topic

Refunds on invoices are carried out according to a different principle. The minimum purchase amount is set by each specific store. You can return the money in the same store, but on your next visit to Finland. Each store has its own return period - it’s better to check this in advance on the store’s website. Read more about preparing an invoice in our article.

An invoice in Imatra can be issued at Prisma, Emotion stores, and the Auto-eekoo car dealership.

Food: kebab, pizzeria or gourmet restaurant?

It is difficult to stay hungry in Imatra. On almost every corner there are small pizzerias, ice cream stands and Turkish eateries where you can grab a kebab or fried chicken. In the summer, street tents open in the center of Imatra, where it is nice to take a break and drink cold beer and cider. But where is the best place to go first to take away the warmest and most delicious culinary memories from Imatra? It depends on how much time and money you have.

15-20 euros for two: Euro-Kebab

In this small eatery located in the center of Imatra you can eat pizza, kebab or chicken and potatoes. They also offer a free salad bar with any meal you order. But perhaps the main advantage of Euro-Kebab is that, unlike many other establishments in Finland, it is open until one in the morning.

Address: Tainionkoskentie 6, Imatra 55100

35-40 euros for two: Rosso Imatra

The main advantage of this establishment (of course, in addition to affordable prices) is that it is located on the main “shopping” street of Imatra. This means you can easily drop by here during or after shopping. Rosso Imatra also has a downside - you won’t find dishes of national Finnish cuisine on the restaurant’s menu. But there is a good selection of pizza, pasta, risotto, and there is also cold Finnish beer, as well as red and white homemade wine.

Address: Koskenparras 1, Imatra 55100

60-70 euros: Imatran Valtionhotelli

A full dinner at this reputable restaurant will take at least a couple of hours. But, even if you only have about forty minutes to spare, it’s worth stopping by for at least a glass of wine. Here you will find gourmet dishes made from local ingredients, crisp white tablecloths, elegant Art Deco furnishings and luxurious views. By the way, if you come to Imatra with an organized tour, you don’t need to worry about being late for the bus - tourists are usually picked up just a few steps from the hotel.

Address: Torkkelinkatu 2, Imatra 55100

Features of border crossing

Crossing the border in Svetogorsk-Imatra is convenient because there is not such a large concentration of cars here as in neighboring Brusnichny. Thus, on New Year’s holidays in Brusnichny, motorists waited in line for 3 hours, and in Svetogorsk – 1.5 hours. Bus tours are usually scheduled with an early departure from St. Petersburg at approximately 7.00, in order to be at the border by 10.00-12.00. If you are traveling by car, be guided by the statistics: the largest car queues at the border accumulate on the eve of weekends and holidays, the peak of queues towards Finland is observed at 12-14.00, towards Russia - starting at 16.00.

Only sixty years have passed since the city of Imatra was founded in Finland, but even in such a short period of time, this settlement managed to acquire attractions. Today Imatra is a modern city with a lot to see for tourists.

Interesting places in Imatra

Of course, the main and most noticeable attraction of Imatra is its unique nature. The fact is that the city is located on the Vuoks River, which is known for its rapids and very fast current. Moreover, the famous Imatrankoski waterfall in Imatra was not only not spoiled by modern Finnish civilization, but was also turned into the main natural attraction. In 1929, a powerful power station was built here, but the waterfall did not disappear, but simply acquired a new look. In August and before the celebration, it is launched accompanied by lighting and music. The spectacle is amazing! Extreme tourists can ride a rope down to the seething stream.

At a time when Finland was part of the Russian Empire, the Imatra Kylpylä SPA hotel was built in Imatra, on the territory of which there is a Magic Forest water park. This hotel offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

It so happens that the bridge over the dam in Imatra, the SPA hotel resembling a castle, and the water park are located next to each other, so for tourists coming to this Finnish city, it is even difficult to imagine a more convenient and suitable place for accommodation.

The bridge, which was built over the dam, has gained the reputation of a place for saying goodbye to life. For many years now, people who have decided to commit a terrible act have come here to die. They are probably attracted here by the beauty and somewhat terrifying picture of the picturesque canyon. In Imatra there is even a monument to suicides, made in the form of a woman throwing herself into the water. In addition, along the banks there are stones on which relatives and friends of suicides write the names and dates of those who passed away.

On the coast of Vuoksa, almost in the center of Imatra, there is the Karelian House - an open-air museum. It will be interesting not only for history buffs, but also for ordinary vacationers. The cleanest air, amazing landscapes, the color of which is added by eleven ancient Karelian wooden log houses of the 19th century, and the attributes of everyday life will not leave anyone indifferent. From May to August, everyone can admire paintings depicting scenes of everyday life of Karelian peasants, as well as interior items that have been preserved to this day.

There are also two temples in Imatra - the Church of the Three Crosses and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The first temple, built in 1957 according to the design of the architect Alvar Aalto, received its name because of the images of three crosses on the altar. The number of windows in the structure is also amazing – there are one hundred and three of them! The light effects they create attract thousands of tourists and parishioners to the church.

When traveling to Imatra, be sure to visit the airfield in Immola, which was visited by Adolf Hitler in 1942, invited to the birthday of Mannerheim, the Finnish marshal. Hitler gave him a car. Documentary photographs of this event are also preserved here.

There are many museums in Imatra whose collections may interest you: War Veterans Museum, Automobile Museum, Border Guard Museum, Worker's House Museum, Art Museum.