Discover Luumäki

The municipality of Luumäki is known for its fortress history, memorial sites and trails by the water. If you are weighing up a destination for its cultural and natural attractions, it is worth considering their different highlights: Taavetti Fortress offers an introduction to the history of fortifications, Kotkaniemi combines the Svinhufvud family’s history with a nature trail, and other trails reveal the landscape in their own ways.

Taavetti Fortress and its history

Taavetti Fortress is a bastion fortress dating from the late 18th century and represents the earliest phase of fortification in Luumäki. The Fortress and Local History Museum is located within the fortress near the citadel, the best-preserved part of the complex: Linnalantie 35, 54500 Taavetti. An independent walking tour marked by information boards lets you explore the fortress at your own pace.

The collections and exhibitions introduce the history of the fortress. Other topics include Luumäki’s prehistory, a radio exhibition, a school museum and other aspects of the municipality. The region’s rock paintings are also part of Luumäki’s cultural heritage: ten have been discovered here, more than in any other municipality. Their natural locations are difficult to access and often hard to spot; an exhibition at the Fortress and Local History Museum presents the imagery and prehistory of the region.

Events and singing evenings are held at the fortress in summer; the best-known include Vallijamit and Marttilan kylän markkinat. Guided tours are also available in summer. If you would like to plan your visit around an event or guided tour, check the dates in advance. Signposts to the fortress are located off VT6 and the Hamina–Savitaipale road. Parking and access to the inner fortress are west of the town hall.

Kotkaniemi and trails by Lake Kivijärvi

Kotkaniemi was the home of President P. E. Svinhufvud and Ellen Svinhufvud. The restored main building was constructed in the late 19th century and is influenced by Art Nouveau. The villa presents the Svinhufvuds’ life and the history of Finland’s independence era. It stands on a pine-covered peninsula beside clear Lake Kivijärvi.

The Kotkaniemi nature trail is about 600 metres long and forms a loop across the narrow peninsula, surrounded by Lake Kivijärvi, on the museum grounds. Side paths lead to the Svinhufvud shooting monument, the boat landing and a lakeside rock with views of the lake. The trail is accessible outside museum opening hours; check the current museum arrangements before your trip. The nature trail is not maintained in winter.

Pärsäniemi offers a different kind of trail and is an easily accessible excursion destination by Lake Kivijärvi. From the Tyynilahti parking area, a path about 500 metres long leads to the lean-to shelter; this section has been adapted for people with reduced mobility. The forest trail around Pärsäniemi is 1.5 kilometres long. The two distances therefore refer to different routes: the path from the parking area to the shelter and the loop around Pärsäniemi.

Hiking, cycling and orienteering

The Huopaisenvirta Trail starts at Luumäki Town Hall in Taavetti and runs for 8 kilometres to Huopaisenvirta, where there is a bridge and a lean-to shelter. The trail also passes an anti-tank ditch obstacle that was part of the main defensive line of the Salpa Line, as well as a natural woodland section. Two sights along the Itsenäisyydentie Route are also located on the Huopaisenvirta hiking trail. The sights along Itsenäisyydentie form a cycling route of about 45 kilometres west and north of Taavetti.

For another point of interest, Luumäki Church Hill combines architectural and local history. A wooden cruciform church and a bell tower stand at the edge of a small square. The Luumäki parish and parish district were established here in 1642, when Luumäki separated from the municipality of Lappee. The road to Church Hill starts south of Rantsilanmäki at a junction off VT6; the hill is about 2.5 kilometres away.

The Salpa Line, a cave and waterways

A total of 33 fortifications are located between Lake Kivijärvi and Lake Suur-Urpalanjärvi; the Salpa-asema exhibition site features several different types of structures. Paths, signposts and information boards make the site easy to explore. Salpa Line structures can also be found on the islands of Lake Kivijärvi. The Lusikkovuoren luola cave is located in Suo-Anttila and is the largest of the Salpa Line caves. It has three entrances, and concerts and public events have been held inside.

Lake Kivijärvi also offers a range of activities. A paddling route crosses the clear, island-dotted lake and continues along Huopaisenvirta to Kannuskoski and then into the neighbouring municipality. The Huopaisenvirta, Haukkasaari and Uitonsaari rest stops have lean-to shelters and landing places for paddlers. For a historical perspective, the Väliväylä log-floating route ran across Lake Kivijärvi and is part of the history of Finland’s forest industry. It ran from Lappeen Rutola through Luumäki and Valkeala to the Kymijoki River and was in use for about 70 years, until the early 1960s.

For an overview of the wider region: South Karelia.