Kajaani is a Fitness Lover’s Paradise.
Swimming HallAddress: Lönnrotinkatu 1 Tel. +358 (0)8 626 811, +358 (0)8 626 812
If you feel brave you can work off the symptoms of SAD in the depths of winter by taking a dip in the river through an ice-hole! Many Finns swear by this daily plunge into literally ice cold water. Facilities for this winter pastime can be found within the Onnela area on the riverbank. During the summer you can enjoy the sandy or grassy beaches which are all to be found along the Onnela road.
Ball HallVimpelinlaaksoTel. +358 (0)8 614 1290
KajaanihalliAddress: Ratakatu 2 Tel.+358 (0)8 627 001
Ice RinkVimpelinlaakso Tel. +358 (0)8 612 0770
Balls Billiard BarAddress: Lönnrotinkatu 12 Tel. +358 (0)8 614 1434
Kajaanin Golf Oy Kainuun Portti Tel. + 358 (0)8 613 1144
Vimpelinvaara hill is a popular outdoor leisure and sports area. It is conveniently situated right next to the university of applied sciences campus area. In the summer you can walk or jog along maintained tracks or test your fitness on the athletics track.
Other recreation areas include Pöllyvaara, a wooded area of tracks for joggers and walkers in the summer and skiing in the winter, the riverside parks and walks (for example the ‘Friendship Path’ from Kaukametsä) and generally all wooded areas in and around the town. You can go virtually anywhere you like apart from peoples’ front and back yards.
Take a boat trip in the summer to the island of Rehja in the middle of Lake Nuasjärvi, or ski across the ice in the early spring. Many people take the opportunity to strike out into the open countryside where they might grill sausages over a camp fire and drink a flask of hot coffee.
Cycling is safe in Kajaani and in Kainuu as a whole. There are cycleways within the town and even in the countryside. Cycling is a particularly favoured mode of transport both in the summer and winter. Most cycle tracks and pedestrian walkways are gritted and maintained during the winter.
The municipality of Sotkamo contains one of the most versatile tourist destinations in Finland, namely, Vuokatti. Vuokatti is located about 30 km from Kajaani. The Vuokatti area is a popular international centre for holiday makers and top sports men and women alike. The Vuokatti College of Sport has a ski tunnel and alpine centre so that training is also possible during the summer months. The Katinkulta spa and leisure centre offers a wide range of recreational and sports facilities.
Events in Kajaani
Kajaani city organises a variety of annual cultural events which take place in the spring and summer. These include Runoviikko (‘Poetry Week’), The Kainuu Tar Boat Regatta and a wine festival. Like all modern cities Kajaani has an active theatre as well as a summer theatre that gives open air performances. There are also two cinemas, one situated in Kauppakatu 38 and the other in the municipal library.
Kajaani InfoAddress: Kauppakatu 21Tel. +358 (0)8 615 5555
If you are looking for somewhere to eat, drink and be merry then you have come to the right place! Kajaani boasts a variety of restaurants, bars and dance places. Most hotels have an attached night-club as do restaurants. Ordinary bars are known as ‘pubi’ or just by their name. Each part of Kajaani has its own local bar.
The River Kajaaninjoki is the town’s central focus around which a history of tar transportation, fishing and fortification has been built. The natural beauty of the river valley is enchanting at all times of the year and is yours to be enjoyed. The river is clean and still popular with fishermen.
Address: LinnankatuAccess via bridge and stairsThe castle laid the foundations for the city of Kajaani itself. It was built between 1603 - 1666 by various masters and was originally commissioned by Kaarle IX, King of Sweden. The early wooden fort was replaced by a stone one. In 1716 Russians proceeded to blow up the castle. Nevertheless you can still admire the ruins situated on a rocky islet by the castle bridge.
Address: LinnankatuThe hut has a free exhibition for public viewing. The exhibition provides a complete document of the history of tar transportation and the tar canal with the aid of photographs.
The Ämmäkoski tar boat canal is the only remaining tar boat canal in the world. In 1982 the lock was emptied and the canal and lock structures repaired. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century wood-tar was the main product of Pohjanmaa and Oulu became the leading tar export centre. Tar boat canals were constructed to bypass the rapids which still raged in Kajaani during that period. Tar was transported along the river and lake routes from tar producing areas to Oulu.
Address: Koskikatu 5Tel. +358 (0)8 6155 588The centre was designed by award winning architects Sinikka Kouvo and Erkki Partanen. An outdoor theatre is located in the same area as the conference and cultural centre. The centre is situated on the northern bank of River Kajaaninjoki in the midst of a wooded area popular with walkers and joggers.
The centre also houses an adult education college where anybody can attend open lectures or take courses in a variety of practical and academic subjects. Meetings, conferences, concerts and theatrical productions of a high calibre are organised by Kaukametsä.
Address: Asemakatu 4Tel. +358 (0)8 6155 407, +358 (0)8 6155 409A permanent exhibition and special exhibitions throughout the year
Address: Linnankatu 14Tel. +358 (0)8 6155 599, +358 (0)8 6155 415Situated in the old police station designed by architect Eino Pitkänen, the building is in a functionalist style and was completed in 1936. Collection includes national contemporary works of art.
Address: Linnankatu 14Building in office use.Plans for this building were approved by the emperor early in 1826. When completed it was the most prominent building in the town at the time.
Address: Kalliokatu 7Building in office use.
Address: Tapionkatu 9 Now known as Väinölä School.
Address: Urho Kekkonen Park, KirkkokatuMemorial by sculptor Pekka Kauhanen. 8 metre high bronze cast sculpture unveiled 3.9.1990. Located in the park next to the Lutheran church.
Address: KirkkokatuTel. +358 (0)8 617 21 (office)There have been three churches built on the same spot. The present-day church was consecrated in 1896. It represents the most decorative stage in the New Gothic style popular at the end of the nineteenth century. The ’Carpenter Style’ used in inner structures and roof trusses is similar to parts of London’s Westminster Hall. Inside the church you can see an altar painting by Toivo Tuhkanen and as well as murals by J. Tenhunen. The church is the creation of architect Jan Ahrenberg.
Address: KirkkokatuTel. +358 (0)8 622 695 (office)After considerable deliberation this church was built in the Sammonpuisto Park.Students should note that both the Lutheran and Orthodox congregations organise a variety of activities for young people. You are also welcome to take part in the church services though these are held in Finnish. If you would like further information regarding church activities and church services please contact the church offices. Other congregations also exist in Kajaani. Please contact Kajaani Info for more information. The Polytechnic does not at present have its own Christian Union since congregations are very active in their own right.
About 9 km from the city centre; bus no. 4 from Pohjolankatu and the Market Square.Picture ChurchTel. +358 (0)8 6875 334 (summer), +358 (0)8 6155 555 (winter Kajaani Info)
This is the oldest museum building in Finland. Inside are items that the Czar used during his visit to the area: a stool, bed, table, saddle and carriages from the house of Ronkaala. Czar Alexander I of Russia dined in this stable in 1819.
Tel. +358 (0)8 687 5210 (summer), +358 (0)8 615 5588 (winter)Eino Leino is one of the most important of Finnish poets as well as being a journalist and an author. He was born on the 6 July 1879 in Hövelö House. The current house is a replica of the original Hövelö. The original was built in 1820 by the chaplain of Paltamo, Karl Aejmelaeus. The following owner and author of the Kalevala, Elias Lönnrot, added to the original before selling the house back to the chaplain. Today Hövelö is still in private ownership while Eino Leino’s house is owned by the City of Kajaani. Visitors can see photographs from various stages of Eino Leino’s life as well as a collection of first editions. For further information contact Kajaani Info.
Those interested in the cultural history of Finland should note that Elias Lönnrot travelled to Karelia from Kajaani collecting stories for his national epic the Kalevala. He was the local doctor for the area. Kajaani was President Urho Kekkonen’s home town and Eino Leino was born in the village of Paltaniemi. As you walk through the parks flanking the riverbanks you will see statues of Lönnrot, Per Brahe and Eino Leino, together with the Infantryman’s Memorial (Jääkärin muistomerkki) and the Karolineburg mansion (now a hotel and restaurant) built in 1836 by Fredrik Calamius.