See & Do in Kajaani

Elias Lönnrot worked as a district and castle physician in Kajaani from 1833 to 1853. He traveled to do vaccination rounds but also to collect epic poetry in Karelia and compiled Kalevala, the national epic of Finland. Elias Lönnrot Centre in the old Kajaani town hall, administered by Elias Lönnrot Society, exhibits and honors the heritage and life work of Elias Lönnrot. The house hosts culture events and open days and there is literature for sale. The house is available to rent out and regularly functions as a venue of meetings, training, seminars and several kinds of festivities.

During his time in Kajaani (1833–1853) Elias Lönnrot lived in almost a ten houses. Unfortunately, from all the buildings he owned, only a small cottage still remains. These days, this summer cottage of his is located on grounds of Hotel Kajaani. Inside, you’ll find a small  presentation of the life of Lönnrot and his spouse. Lönnrot’s herb garden, next to the cottage,  is open for the public to explore the herbs of Elias Lönnrot’s time and even to pick some for personal use. By the gate you’ll find a small box with some brochures of the herbs. The cottage and herb garden are administered by Elias Lönnrot society.

Eino Leino was a poet and journalist and is considered one of the pioneers of Finnish poetry. He was born on an estate called Hövelö in Paltaniemi. The Eino Leino Heritage House was built in 1978 according to this original house that Elias Lönnrot (1802-1884) owned for a while, and and that was later the birth home of Eino Leino (1878-1926). The house is located on a beautiful spot on the bank of Lake Oulujärvi.  Both the Elias Lönnrot society and Eino Leino society of Kainuu use the house for their events, and the house exhibits the life and works of both Elias Lönnrot and Eino Leino. The house is also available for private events like meetings and weddings.

The northernmost manor house in Finland, Karolineburg, was originally built for judicial district judge of Kajaani, Fredrik Calamnius. Calamnius was a close friend of Elias Lönnrot, who had settled in Kajaani in 1833. Also after Calamnius’ untimely passing in 1840, the district doctor Lönnrot and his wife were friends with the manor house’s new owners and often visited Karolineburg,  until moving out from Kajaani. Today, Manor House Hotel Karolineburg offers accommodation and is a great location for events and conferences.

Eino Leino, who is known as the national poet of Finland, was born on Hövelö estate in the village of Paltaniemi in Kajaani. Actor Sami Sainio has brought Leino’s character to life and compiled several performances based on the poet’s extensive production. The audience may, for example, enjoy coffee with poet himself at the Eino Leino house in Paltaniemi. Unfortunately, the content is only available in Finnish at the moment.

The authorized tourist guides are at your service when you want to get to know the people and life of the area in more depth. With a guide, the tours will provide new information and content and even provide surprises. Choose an ordinary city tour, a pre-planned theme tour or a destination visit according to your preferences. Perhaps you would like to get to know Eino Leino’s childhood landscapes or get acquainted with the Kalevala connections in Kajaani? Kajaani Tourist Guides also carry out tours planned according to the customer’s wishes. Get in touch!

Lake Oulujärvi was a great inspiration to Eino Leino.  You may tour the lake for example with the boat rides of Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi LP. Admire the views that young Eino Leino loved so much and enjoyed on his own boat trips. Visit the spectacular Ärjä island, enjoy the sand and sun, and perhaps take a photo with an Eino Leino cutout board, feeling like a poet!

S/S Kouta, now been registered in the Finnish Heritage Agency, first arrived on Kainuu waters in 1921. On the scenic cruises at summertime, steamship S/S Kouta cruises along River Kajaaninjoki and passes by some beautiful historic landscapes on Lake Oulujärvi, passing by Tihisenniemi, Aurala, Lukkarinnurmi and Paltasalmi, finally reaching the open Lake Oulujärvi. As returning towards the pier, the ship passes by Hövelönlahti, the grounds where Elias Lönnrot finished Finland’s national epic Kalevala and Eino Leino grew up as a young poet. On the west side of behind the small Toukansaari island, you will see the open lake called Ärjänselkä.

Along this 2 km walk, with the estimated duration of 45 minutes, you’ll  follow in the footsteps of Finland´s famous writer Eino Leino while taking in the beautiful countryside and history of Paltaniemi village. The walk starts at Eino Leino house, where you can feel the history of the place while you explore the exhibition inside and see the Eino Leino bust outside. At the entrance to the churchyard you pass the birth memorial of the Kalevala and on the churchyard you’ll find Eino Leino´s family grave. Along the way, you’ll see also other historical sites.

Kajaanin Runoviikko Poetry Festival, founded in 1976, is the oldest and biggest festival in Finland specialized in poetry, recitation and theater, for the whole family. The programme consists of performances from many different forms of art as well as meet and greets and discussions with authors, and continues to be surprising, funny and current. The annual five-day festival is held in the beginning of July, around the birthday of national poet Eino Leino, on July 7th. The art of poetry and music is performed at the Kaukametsä Culture and Congress Centre, at the market place and in theatres, parks and clubs.

Libraries are an important part of the Finnish municipalities’ basic services because they increase and support creativity in people of all ages and promote different ways of learning. As well as books, libraries offer a wide variety of services, multi-functional spaces, and guidance in finding the content you want and need. Libraries also organise various exhibitions, events, and campaigns. Let’s meet at the library – welcome to the public living room! The current main library was built in 1985. It was designed by Architect Office Seppo Valjus LP.