Discover the history of the Mikkeli region – from ancient rock paintings at Astuvansalmi to historic manors and the wartime headquarters at Muisti, all shaped by life around Lake Saimaa.
In the Mikkeli region, history reaches back over 5,000 years, from prehistoric times to the present day. The ancient rock paintings of Astuvansalmi, the region's location between East and West, and its role as Finland’s wartime headquarters all reflect a place shaped by deep cultural layers and changing times. These influences are still visible today in local traditions, architecture and food culture. Welcome to experience it firsthand!
Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings are among the most significant prehistoric sites in Northern Europe, dating back around 5,000 years. They are painted on a striking lakeside cliff that resembles the profile of a sleeping human figure, often seen as something almost divine, adding a strong sense of mystery to the place. The site offers a rare glimpse into Stone Age life and is best experienced by boat, surrounded by the timeless landscape of Lake Saimaa.
Rock Art Visitor Centre Astuva opens the door to the mysterious world of the Astuvansalmi rock paintings through immersive storytelling and engaging exhibitions. Step into ancient Saimaa history and continue the experience with guided boat trips to the spectacular rock art site on the lake.
For a unique getaway for two, Uhkua’s floating accommodation raft – complete with a lakeside sauna experience – offers an unforgettable stay on the water. You can also elevate your visit with a dinner prepared by host and D.O. Saimaa chef Ilkka Arvola.
Nearby, Löytö Manor provides a charming alternative, combining traditional Finnish cottage culture with peaceful lakeside surroundings. Both options place you close to the Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings and the quiet beauty of Lake Saimaa.
Floating raft accommodation on Lake Saimaa
Experience eco-friendly accommodation with Uhkua on Lake Saimaa.
Product pageManor rooms and cottage accommodation in the heart of Finnish nature at Löytö Manor
Choose from charming manor rooms, cosy cottages, or private villas and enjoy a peaceful stay surrounded by history, fields, and Lake Saimaa.
Product pageMillennia after the first residents settled on the shores of Lake Saimaa, the region became a crossroads of cultures and conflicts, where influences from East and West intertwined and control of the region shifted between Sweden and Novgorod. From the 17th century onwards, military estates and cavalry farms were established under Swedish rule to support the nobility and the army. Many of these places still stand, blending heritage with modern life and keeping traditions alive.
Among the most notable manor settings are Landhaus Kekkola, Tertti Manor, Löytö Manor, Kirjokivi Manor and Rauhalinna, each offering a different expression of Saimaa’s cultural landscape – from historic rural estates to elegant lakeside retreats.
The manor tradition has also shaped local cuisine and hospitality. Over generations, these estates have influenced food culture by combining long-standing regional ingredients with culinary influences from both East and West. Today, this legacy continues in manor kitchens and dining experiences across the Saimaa region, where history, landscape and flavour come together in a uniquely layered way.
Manor rooms and cottage accommodation in the heart of Finnish nature at Löytö Manor
Choose from charming manor rooms, cosy cottages, or private villas and enjoy a peaceful stay surrounded by history, fields, and Lake Saimaa.
Product pageAccommodation at Tertti Manor Hotel – “Together at the Manor”
Enjoy a relaxing countryside escape at Tertti Manor, with cosy accommodation, private sauna, and locally inspired treats in a beautiful historic setting.
Product pageManor accommodation at Landhaus Kekkola
Landhaus Kekkola in Mikkeli offers manor accommodation in beautiful rural surroundings.
Product pageUnique accommodation experience at Kirjokivi Manor
Kirjokivi Manor, built in the late 1890s, offers a distinctive accommodation experience where historic charm meets refined comfort.
Product pageDuring the wars of the last century, Mikkeli served as Finland’s Headquarters City under the leadership of Marshal Mannerheim, whose preserved office can still be visited at the Headquarters Museum, offering a direct connection to pivotal moments in history. In the same historic setting, the Centre of War and Peace Muisti invites you to step into the past through immersive exhibitions that reveal both the realities of war and the journey toward peace.
Life in the Lake Saimaa region has long been shaped by traditions, farming culture and the close presence of the lake. In historic farmsteads and open-air museums you can step right into the past and experience what everyday life once looked like in the countryside.
At the Pattoi Heritage House and Farm in Juva, a 19th-century lakeside farmstead brings rural history vividly to life through preserved buildings, traditional tools and an authentic countryside setting.
The Pien-Toijola Open-Air Museum captures the spirit of an old Savonian village, where wooden houses and traditional crafts reflect a simple, nature-connected way of living in the 18th and 19th centuries.
On an island in Puumala, the Liehtalanniemi Museum Estate reveals the world of early 20th-century tenant farming, where life followed the quiet rhythm of lake, forest and seasons. In summer, animals roam freely on the farm, and a guided nature trail leads through the surrounding protected landscape, deepening the sense of timeless rural Saimaa.
