Post code: SF-50100
The Finnish town of Mikkeli (Swedish St Michel), chief town of the province of the same name, lies on one of the western arms of Lake Saimaa. There were human settlements in this area more than a thousand years ago, and the first Christian community in the Savo region was established here, as the little
stone sacristy of Savilahti's wooden medieval church still bears witness.
The village of St Michel was granted the right to hold a market in 1745 and received its municipal charter in 1838. In 1843 it became the chief town of the province and in 1945 the see of a bishop. A garrison town from the 17th century, it played a military role in the 20th century as the headquarters of Marshal Mannerheim in three campaigns during the Second World War (the Winter War of 1939-40, the renewed war of 1941-44 against Soviet forces and the Lapland War of 1944-45 against the German occupying forces) - events commemorated by the Cross of Freedom and the marshal's batons in the town's coat of arms.
A secondary school was established in Mikkeli in 1872. In the second half of the 19th century, with the development of industry, the town's economy made great strides. Its principal industries are woodworking, textiles and metalworking.
An observation tower on Naisvuori Hill in Mikkeli is located on a rocky outcrop and visitors can climb the hill for a fee.
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