Finland is a very popular country for holidays with Russians. It is close to the territory of Russia, and its beautiful nature and attractions attract tourists. The city of Kuopio in Finland is located in the very picturesque area of Savo.
Short description
Kuopio is a port city and is located next to Lake Kallavesi. The city was founded in 1775. An important moment in the history of Kuopio was the construction of the Saimaa Canal, which provided access to the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. And in 1889, a railway was built in the city. Thanks to the development of transport links, Kuopio has become a thriving trading city.
The city is one of the industrial centers in the country. There are developed woodworking, chemical, engineering and food industries. Kuopio occupies an important place in the cultural life of the country. This is one of the most popular cities for tourists. There are music and dance festivals. Winter sports are also popular there.
Mount Puyo
One of Kuopio's attractions is Mount Puyo, which is a symbol of this city. It is surrounded by a dense forest, located in the central part of the city. In 1963, on the top of the mountain, a three-story tower was erected, which houses a cafe. Its height is 75 meters. In addition to the cafe, tourists can visit the revolving restaurant, the observation deck and enjoy the view of the city and its picturesque surroundings.
In winter, Mount Puyo becomes a popular ski resort. In addition to simple ski slopes, there are two specially made for the slopes. There is also a rental of sports equipment and a ski school, which is unique in that the trainers teach everyone to ski jumping.
In the New Year and Christmas holidays Puyo becomes the most popular place for tourists. At its top lights are lit, which creates a magical festive atmosphere.
Mount Puyo is the oldest nature reserve in Finland, founded in 1928. There you can see rare species of birds and plants. Mount Puyo is a popular tourist destination.
Orthodox Museum
Another attraction of Kuopio is the Orthodox Museum. This is one of the most famous monuments to Orthodoxy in Western Europe. It was founded in 1869, and the building for the museum was built in 1969. The museum is state owned and is led by the Orthodox Church Board of Finland.
The museum has a large number of church regalia, liturgical textiles and icons. Many exhibits were delivered from the monasteries of Konevets and Valaam. The Orthodox Museum is open to visitors every day except Sunday.
Kuopio Quarter Museum and Alahovi Wine Plantation
By visiting this museum, tourists can learn more about the history of the city. The Kuopio Quarter Museum includes 11 houses, in which the life and interior of the apartments of officials and merchants of the 19th century are recreated. In addition to houses there you can see a tailor's shop, a shoemaker's workshop and a pharmacy of that era. The museum has an old cafe, visitors to which can try delicious pastries.
Kuopio's attractions include the Alahovi wine plantation. It is located on the island of Vaiyasalo, a 15-minute drive from the city. Tourists will be able to see the production of local berry wines and taste delicious dishes. Visitors have the opportunity to taste local wines and purchase them at the store.
Entertainment
In Kuopio, there is a zoo of domestic animals, of which about 30 species are represented there. These are ponies, horses, ducks, cats, dogs and other pets. Zoo guests can enjoy a pony ride at the local cafeteria.
The Fontanella water park is very popular. It has 10 pools, including a special pool with light music to help you relax. It is located in a cave. Also in the water park there are two slides 90 meters high, steam baths and the famous Finnish saunas, as well as a wall adapted for climbing. If you want to take not only water procedures, but also to work out, there is a modern gym at your service. Fontanelle also has a bowling alley, a squash court, a solarium and a restaurant.
How to get to Kuopio
You can fly to this city from Helsinki, the journey will take about an hour. You can also fly from Riga. Kuopio Airport is located near the city. You can also get to Kuopio by buses, which run quite often. You can also come to this city by train, which arrives there from all the major cities of Finland.
Reviews
Kuopio is one of the popular tourist destinations in Finland. This city is suitable for both lovers of outdoor activities and those who want to enjoy beautiful landscapes. In the reviews of Kuopio, everyone notes the well-developed infrastructure of the city, a large selection of tourist routes and good service.
It is also worth noting that lunch and dinner in a restaurant are not cheap, it is much more profitable to buy food in local stores and cook yourself. Tourists are also advised to go along one of the picturesque hiking trails and go fishing. In Kuopio's photo you can see the beauty of the local landscapes, which attract tourists from all over the world. Beautiful mountain lakes, hills, forests - all this is admired by vacationers.
You can go sightseeing in Kuopio in one day if you want to stay in other Finnish cities. But if you want to slowly enjoy the local beauties, you can stay both in small hotels and in small cottages. Kuopio is gradually becoming one of the popular tourist destinations in the world.