City: Kymenlaakso
Top Things to do in Kymenlaakso
10 Churches & Cathedrals in Kymenlaakso That You Shouldn't Miss
Kymenlaakso (literally Kymi Valley) (Swedish: Kymmenedalen) is a region in Finland. It borders to the regions Uusimaa, Päijänne Tavastia, Southern Savonia and South Karelia. Its name means literally The Valley of River Kymijoki. Kymijoki is one of the biggest rivers in Finland with a drainage basin with 11% of the area of Finland. The city of Kotka with 55,000 inhabitants is located at the delta of River Kymijoki and has the most important import harbour in Finland. Other cities are Kouvola further in the inland which has after a municipal merger 88,000 inhabitants and the old bastion town Hamina.
Restaurants in Kymenlaakso
1. Pyhtaa Church of Saint Henry
2. The Sippola church
3. Pyhan Ristin kirkko
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By JariJK - Kouvola, Finland
Pyhän Ristin Kirkko (Holy Cross Church) was built in 1913-1915. First it was a Russian military church, then a Lutheran church and nowadays an orthodox church. The building is extremely beautiful. It is situated within the precincts of an old barracks, only one kilometer from the downtown (Manski pedestrian street). However, I recommend that you walk still further from the church to see all beautiful houses in the old barracks area (around parks Prikaatinpuisto and Rykmentinpuisto).
4. St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By mikaelk676 - Copenhagen, Denmark
My other brother lives just on the other side of the park. This Russian Orthodox Church was the very few of buildings which were not bombed down during the WWII. The entire city was bombed down, and so this church maintained its power as the shrine for the patron saint of sailors, helper of the poor ( all we know Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas ) and also patron saint of the island Kotka. What you go to see are the beautiful icons covered in gemstones and precious metals, and the rose oil and galbanum burning always as an eternal prayer. The ceiling with its gold stars is worth a peek, just lay down on the floor and amazement the beauty of the thousands of stars on a blue background. This church is also worth seeing for its Christmas Mass, pompous of course because it is the church of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Nicholaj...and the Easter Mass with the entire community lead by gold clad priests round the church seven times...take a picnic with you and enjoy on the greens, or check if they have the fish pond, selling fresh salmon, and cure and prepare it if you want to!
