Mikkeli Things to Do

This is the famous Mannerheim statue of Mikkeli. I have heard that is the commi time it was in more remote location in the city and it moved later to the main square when the authorities felt it is safe to do so ;-)

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The war time communications centre named "Lokki" (Finnish; means seagull) was a tightly secret place. It was used for the purposes of war time communications of the Headquarters. The building work started in 1939, and the comms centre inside a cave inside a rocky hill was in use during the Continuation War.

The centre mediated the calls to the war fronts, the government and abroad. The activities were run by a well trained women organization, except the techniques which was taken care of by a group of professionals.

In the cave there was also working premises for Marshall Mannerheim.

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Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim has, perhaps more than any other individual person, impressed the history of Finland, which goes far back to the Middle Ages and is now reaching out towards integrated Europe and the globalized world.

Three great eras of Finnish history meet in the person of Mannerheim: 1) the period of autonomy (1809-1917), in which the the political, economic and cultural foundations of national independence were laid by bringing together the colourful, rich and often dramatic heritages from both Swedish and Russian reign; 2) the struggle for gaining and maintaining the independence (from 1918 on); 3) and the time of globalization (after the Continuation War).

Being a cosmopolitan, he had a rare ability to reconcile the national interests of a small, northern country with those of the great powers. He was a Swedish-speaking nobleman in origin, who had his military training and his earliest war experiences as an officer in the Russian Imperial army.

Mannerheim did not approve of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, but he understood Russian mentality and appreciated Russia as one of the great powers.

The one and only original coach of Marshall Mannerheim is still left in its original form in the city of Mikkeli. It is open for public only once a year: on June 4, which was his birthday and later on the flag day of Finnish Defence Forces.

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Kenkävero is a year-round attraction on the shore of Lake Saimaa in Mikkeli. Their pride and joy is Finland`s largest and most beautiful vicarage. The carefully restored buildings are located in a pleasant natural setting, just a short distance from the city centre.
Their exhibitions present crafts and skills. Demonstrations inspire visitors to try their own hand in workshops. Shop offers a wide range of items that make excellent gifts and souvenirs. The only hard part is deciding what to buy!
Kenkäveros restaurant occupies a number of attractive rooms and offers a festive framework for any occasion (weddings etc..) It serves delicious lunches as well as coffee and refreshments. The fully licensed restaurant in open year round.
In summer visitors can admire a splendid garden with around 500 species of plants, including herbs, medicinal plants, vegetables, fruit trees, decorative plants and an organic garden. Enjoy its rich colours, smells and butterflies. Products are also on sale at summer shop.
The Martha Heritage Centre Syreeni traces the Martha Organization`s activities over the years and provides an interesting look at the life of finnish women during more than a century. Exhibitions and demonstrations are arranged in the teaching kitchen.
Presentations and guided tours of the gardens are arranged for groups in Finnish, Swedish, English and German (Minimum group 10 persons).
Find out more on website: www.kenkavero.fi

Kenkävero is open daily year round Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-6pm.

At the railway station one can look at the Field MArshall Mannerheim's train car. Unfortunately, one can just look at it it, but not enter it.
During the WW2 Mikkeli was an important place.
Don't forget to see the Mannerheim statue, removed from a park to the market place. The Field Marshall is wearing the wartime officer's uniform.

Central Square is a market place. Here you will find also many shops as Sokos Department Store and others. And of course it is a meeting point for locals and tourists.

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As in every Finnish town, also here the market square is the place where everyone is hanging around, market shopping, a snack, a drink or just people watching?

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The big church of Mikkeli is located in the city centre and on this occasion I also stepped in to take a look inside and got some details from the local guide.