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 KUOPIO Kuopio is a modern regional centre of eastern Finland boasting excellence in various fields including science and technology. The modern, forward-looking city is also proud of its past, cherishing its heritage and keeping its traditions alive. The people of Kuopio today are active, well-informed inhabitants of an international city who have yet preserved their traditional joviality and delightful dialect. Kuopio was originally founded as a trading town in 1653, while the present city was founded in 1775. A century later, the completion of the Saimaa Canal, which opened a waterway from the Baltic Sea to Kuopio, and the building of a railway to Kuopio were turning points in the city’s history. Thanks to the improved connections, Kuopio began to prosper as a lively industrial and trading centre. Kuopio is a city of scenic beauty. Besides being an attractive environment for living in, the natural surroundings provide a basis for various livelihoods and an excellent setting for a wide range of leisure pursuits. And last but not least, they are a definite asset to tourism. Kuopio is characterised by its abundance of lakes dotted with numerous islands, varied hilly landscapes, lush vegetation and favourable climate. The famous landmark of Kuopio is Puijo Hill, rising 150 metres above the surface of the adjacent Lake Kallavesi which flanks the city. Kuopio plays host to a number of annual international events, ranging from dance and wine festivals to various winter sports events, including Nordic skiing, ski-jumping and ice-skating.Tourist information: VEHMERSALMI The rural district of Vehmersalmi is situated 49 km from Kuopio, 35 from Kuopio Airport and 49 km from the nearest railway station. Vehmersalmi is situated by the scenic Heinävesi waterway. Traditional white inland boats ply the route from Kuopio to Savonlinna via Vehmersalmi. Around 200 sq. km of the district, accounting for over a third of its total area, is covered by lakes and the shoreline totals 890 km. Almost a third of the inhabitants live on Soisalo, the biggest inland island in Finland, which is connected by ferry to the mainland. A number of locals still depend on fishing for their livelihood, while many others have taken it up as a great hobby. Lake Suvasvesi and the southern parts of Lake Kallavesi offer excellent opportunities for recreational fishing. Game fish include salmon and trout. Accommodation in holiday cottages is available throughout the year, and restaurants can be found at the Ritoniemi Holiday Village and in the centre of Vehmersalmi. Places of interest include Vehmersalmi Church, which was built in the Finnish ‘national romantic’ style, and the Local History Museum, open in summer. JP-Kalamatkat arranges various fishing trips for corporations, families and individual anglers both in winter and summer. JP-Kalamatkat is based on Soisalo Island and the proprietor of the business is a former professional fisherman. The fishing package ‘Angler’s Super Day’, developed by JP-Kalamatkat, was voted Finland’s Fishing Tourism Product of the Year in 2002. Tourist information: The City of Kuopio: Kuopion kaupunkiPL 228 FI-70101 Kuopio Tel.: (017) 182 111 Fax.: (017) 182 066 kirjaamo.kka@kuopio.fi www.kuopio.fi |
THE KUOPIO REGION The City of Kuopio and the Municipality of Vehmersalmi were united in the beginning of the year 2005. Information about the tourist services in Vehmersalmi you'll find under Kuopio.
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