Kuopio is beautifully situated on a peninsula projecting into the Kallavesi, with Puijo Hill rising above the town to the north. It is the economic and cultural center of the province of Kuopio, the see of a Lutheran bishop and of the Orthodox Archbishop of Finland, and has a university, founded in 1972. Kuopio is the focal point of both boat and land traffic in the flat but richly diversified region of Savo with its intermingling of woodland and water. It is linked with the Gulf of Finland by Lake Saimaa and the Saimaa Canal.
Kuopio received its municipal charter from Per Brahe in 1654. After losing its municipal rights for a period it was granted a new charter by Gustavus III in 1782. During the 1808-09 war the town surrendered to the Russians without a fight, but was later recaptured in a surprise attack by a Finnish force led by Colonel Sandels.
Kuopio is also noted for the many events and the busy cultural life. The Kuopio Dance Festival in June is one of the major events.
Karjalankatu, to the east side of Kuopio, runs north to the Orthodox Church Museum (1969), part of a complex which also includes the Archbishop's residence, a seminary for priests and the offices of the Finnish Orthodox Church, Finland's second largest religious community. The museum displays objects from the Valamo, Petsamo and Konevitsa monasteries, which had to be evacuated during the World War II.
Address: Orthodox Church Museum, Karjalankatu 1, SF-70110 Kuopio, Finland
Hours:
May 15 to September 29: 9am-4pm; Closed: Mon
September 1 to April 30: 12pm-3pm; Sun:12pm-5pm; Sat:12pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
Immediately north of Kuopio, on the wooded Puijo Hill (Puijomäki), stands a 75m/245ft high lookout tower, rising to a height of 225m/740ft above the Kallavesi. The tower has two viewing platforms and a revolving restaurant (turning through 360 degrees every hour) at a height of 65m/213ft.
Kuopio Festival of Music and Dance is held in late June to early July.
The festival began in 1969 and has run every summer since.
Various forms of Finnish dance are displayed, by some of the most famous local groups. Alongside them are international companies, showcasing everything from the flamenco, to ballet to jazz, modern and tap.
Address: Kuopio Dance and Music Festival, Torikatu 18, SF-70110 Kuopio, Finland
One of the outstanding Finnish figures of the 19th century, the philosopher, politician and statesman Johan Vilhelm Snellman, was rector of the grammar school in Kuopio from 1843 to 1849. Later, in 1863, he persuaded Tsar Alexander II to agree that Finnish should be one of the official languages, together with Swedish and Russian (in practice little used), of the Grand Duchy of Finland.
Kauppakatu leads to Kuopio's Cathedral (designed by Jacob Rijf; completed in 1815 by Pehr Granstedt) which stands on a low hill to the east. Beyond it is Snellman Park (Snellmaninpuisto), with a bronze statue of Snellman (whose house at Snellmaninkatu 19 is now a museum).
Hours:
10am-0am; Mon:10am-3pm; Tue:10am-3pm; Wed:10am-3pm; Thu:10am-3pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
On the west side of Kuopio, to the north of the Lake Valkeinen sports complex (fishing), is the modern Municipal Theater (by Risto-Veikko Luukkonen and Helmer Stenros, 1962). Farther north, on Lake Mustinlampi, are an indoor swimming pool and a bowling alley.
The central feature of Kuopio is the Market Square (Kauppatori), where visitors can buy the local delicacy, kalakukko (a fish and pork pie). In the square are the Town Hall (by F. A. Sjöström, 1884) and, opposite it, the Art Nouveau Market Hall. On the far side of Kauppakatu stands the Grammar School (1825).
Maaherrankatu extends along the east side of Kuopio's Snellman Park. At its north end, in a small garden on the left, is a monument to the great Finnish writer Minna Canth (1844-97).
To the north of Snallman Park, in Kauppakatu, Kuopio's Municipal Museum has frescoes by Juho Rissanen (1909). The displays illustrate the history and culture of the region, and there is also an aquarium. Immediately adjoining is the Municipal Library.
In the southeast of Kuopio can be found the Orthodox church of St Nicholas (1903), seat of the Archbishop (Metropolitan) of the Finnish Orthodox church. The church has two dioceses, each with some 30,000 members - Karelia, with 14 parishes, and Helsinki, with 11.
To the south of the Orthodox church in Kuopio is the narrow peninsula of Väinölänniemi, with a park, sports grounds, a swimming beach and (at the southern tip) a summer restaurant. At the landward end of the peninsula is a statue of Hannes Kolehmainen, who won the marathon in the 1920 Olympic Games.
Read More
Read Less
Read More
Read Less
Puijo Hill Viewpoint, Kuopio
Puijo Hill Viewpoint, Kuopio
