Ruokolahti church hill

Ruokolahti Church Hill – A Historical Gem on the Shores of Lake Saimaa

Experience a unique cultural milieu and masterpieces of Finnish architecture!

Ruokolahti Church Hill is located in a stunning and scenic location right on the shores of Lake Saimaa. The area's wealth of historical buildings and monuments, combined with the nature surrounding the hill, form a truly memorable whole. This is an ideal destination for those interested in history as well as those looking for a peaceful and beautiful place to spend a summer day.

Historical sites in Kirkonmäki:

• Ruokolahti Church: A magnificent wooden cruciform church built in 1854, rising on the top of Kirkonmäki. The current church is the fourth church in the parish, and it is surrounded by a well-kept courtyard with heroes' graves.

• Slate-roofed bell tower: Kirkonmäki's most famous building, which has rightly been called the pearl of Finnish church architecture. The bell tower, built by carpenter Tuomas Suikkanen in 1752, is one of the oldest buildings in Ruokolahti.

• Local History Museum: Right opposite the bell tower, a museum established in an atmospheric old granary.

• Ruokolahti House and Summer Café Kaiku: On the edge of Kirkonmäki is the Ruokolahti House, built according to the model of a traditional 19th-century peasant house. The cozy Kaiku Summer Café is open here in the summer.

Visit information:

• Opening hours: The Kirkonmäki sites, museum and café are open to the public during the summer. The courtyard and the landscape can of course be explored from the outside all year round.

• Location: Ukonsalmentie 5, 56100 Ruokolahti.