The City of Joensuu was founded by the Russian Tsar Nicholas I in 1848. Formerly a centre for the timber industry, the city is now known for its active student and music life.
Joensuu attracts tourists to enjoy the youthful city's cultural offerings and the rugged scenery of Koli National Park. Explore the Pielisjoki River with a walk on the Promenade and the city's seven bridges, or take a river cruise and enjoy the local and ethnic cuisine at Joensuu Market. Joensuu also has a number of beautiful park areas, such as North and South Rantapuisto, and Eliel Saarinen Park. One of the most popular places in Joensuu is the Botania Botanical Garden. Founded in 1957, it contains Finland's only Tropical Butterfly Garden.
The city's best-known landmarks include Joensuu Church, designed by Josef Stenbäck in 1903, and Joensuu City Hall, designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1913 and combining national romanticism with art nouveau style. Joensuu Art Museum, operating in a Neo-Renaissance style former school building, is well worth a visit. The museum's most interesting collections include 3,000-year-old antiquities, international art, including Chinese art, and works by Finnish masters including Albert Edelfelt's Virginie. The Artisans' Quarter, is the place to find handicraft boutiques, a café, and changing exhibitions in a beautiful environment of wooden buildings.
Joensuu also hosts Joensuu Music, with a classical music focus, and the nostalgic Ilovaarirock, as well as a variety of other music and film events, such as the Hippa folk festival, Joensuu Gospel Festival, Rokumentti and Viscult. If you happen to take your holiday in the town at midsummer, you can admire the Jokiasema midsummer bonfire and the picture perfect landscapes of the Pielisjoki River.
Joensuu has very good transport links from all over Finland. For example, from Helsinki to Joensuu takes one hour by air or about four hours on a Pendolino train.
Whether you love music and movies or the great outdoors, a trip to Joensuu offers an entertaining and charming holiday in genuine Finnish landscapes. This youthful and invigorating destination for a city break guarantees an excellent holiday experience, in summer and winter alike.
