The town of Imatra is literally two steps away from the border with Russia, not far from Svetogorsk. City with districts scattered along the banks of the Vuoksa River and Lake Simola and Immolaniwi.
Next to Immat, there is a famous ski resort - perhaps, this is the Imat most famous.
And it is also great to come to Imat, those who are fans from fishing, because the lake in the city is a real find. However, and for a simple camping here is also cool to stop - and with a tent, and in the cottage. You can also rent a boat or bike, and fishing gear.
And the town itself is also very beautiful and interesting. Visit Open-air Museum "Karelian House" (Karjalainen Kotitalo).
He stands on the banks of Vuoksus, in principle, not far from the city center, at Kotipolku 1. In this museum, you can admire the Karelian rural scenery of the 19th century - here the courtyards, 11 buildings and a variety of attributes of Karelian life. Also in this museum, paintings are stored, depicting pictures of the life of Karelian peasants of that era. This museum is one of the most popular city attractions. He works as far as I know, from May to August, every day, except Monday, from 10.00 to 18.00. For an adult ticket, there are 2 euros, children and pensioners - 1 euro. Children up to 5 - free.
Next, go to Art Museum (Kauupunginmuseo).
It works here since 1951, and this is the first similar museum in its kind. It is located in the premises of the cultural center (at Virastokatu 1) and offers its guests about 1400 works of art. For the most part, the museum's exhibits are the works of Finnish artists of the 20th century. But there are pictures of foreign artists of the 19th century, as well as engravings of the Japanese masters of the 17th century.
Plus, a variety of temporary exhibitions are held in this museum. In the summer, the museum is open from Monday to Friday from 10 to 19 hours (on Friday to 4 pm), and the remaining seasons - from Monday to Saturday from 10 to 19 hours (on Saturday to 3 pm). Adult entrance costs somewhere 2 euros, and children, students, retirees - 1 euro.
There is also a beautiful interesting temple in Imatre - Lutheran Church "Three Crosses" (Kolmen Ristin Kirkko).
She was built a few years after the construction of the church of St. Nicholas. True, unlike that temple, the Church of the Three Crosses is a very unusual building. The building from concrete is impressive inside and outside. Such a "multi-layered" (I do not know how to say in a different way) a one-storey house with white walls and a dark roof, and an unusual bell tower in the form of an arrow, with three bells. Inside the building is rather laconic, modest.
White walls (perfect iceberg!), Simple floor, laid out with a dark brown tile, a simple altar, wooden benches (but from Eastern Farmers), something decorated with Italian marble. Unique how the light and shadow plays in the church. And, perhaps, windows of different shapes (barely find two identical) with stained glass windows. Total windows here more than one hundred pieces! A place in which the church is cozy, quiet, around is noisy, except that, pine yes birch. Solid idyll! The church accommodates as a whole to 800 people. The church is open to visiting, the entrance is free. Address: Ruokalahdentie 27.
Since I picked up about Church of St. Nicholas of the Wonderworker (Pyhan Nikolaoksen Kirkko) which is located at Vuoksenniskantie 3, then it is worth telling about it.
This is one of the operating churches of the city, which was built in the middle of the last century. At first, it was a small chapel in a traditional Russian style, but a little later was redesigned, expanded and reacted as a church. The temple is small, strict, with wood trim, white walls and green domes and roof. The church is located along the way to the Church of the Three Crosses.
If you are interested in the beauty of nature, then visit Waterfall Imatra.
It is formed on the Vuoksa River, by the way, quite violent in some places, and is located in Kruununpuisto National Park, one of the oldest country's reserves. By the way, then this beautiful place was so popular that it was even called the "Finnish Niagara", and the end of the 18th century, Empress Ekaterina II admired. And by order of the Empress in the area where the river fell a granite canyon and formed a waterfall, a hotel was erected.
In the 29th year of the last century, a hydroelectric power station was built on the river, and the waterfall began to work on a schedule. This dam was built, moreover, so cool that the people to this waterfall began to attract even more.
Free drop in water is held since the beginning of June to the end of August every day at 19.00, on Sunday at 15.00. In August, a special show is held when the raft with a bone is released on the waterfall. New Year's Eve Here is also actively celebrated: "turns on" the waterfall, the fireworks rose and so on. Especially beautiful waterfall when it is highlighted.
By the way, you can not only look at the waterfall. Above it can be descended on the rope, but this entertainment for all extremes, of course. Simple mortals just admire.
Visit TEOLLISUUSTYOVAEN ASUNTOMUSEO) On Ritikanranta, on the banks of the river.
It works this museum since 1975 and works only in the summer. This museum describes in detail about the life of workers from the end of the nineteenth century. By the way, the building itself was once an ordinary home for workers, a small one. Workers lived in apartments for 20-25 sq.m, for a whole family. Something like communal, cozy such a cottage, but with its own sauna, laundry and bakery. Then the building passed into the power of the municipality, and the collections were made up of gifts of citizens. Works museum from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 18 hours. Tickets are input very inexpensive, also 1-2 euros.
In general, attractions are a bit, but go there anyway, mainly to just relax, get into the sauna, to go fishing. You can visit Water Center Imat Culpül Spa , swim in bass, wash in the sauna and sow in the jacuzzi, well, to get into herbal baths, go through the course of massages and all that. Imatra in every sense is an excellent city and it certainly should not be overlooked if you are planning a little journey to Finland.