The Saimaa Canal. Lake Saimaa. Vyborg Bay. River cruises

The Saimaa Canal (the map below will help the reader understand its location) is a navigable channel between Vyborg Bay (Russia) and Lake Saima (Finland). This building was opened in 1856. The total length was 57.3 km, of which Russia owns 34 km, and Finland - 23.3 km.

History of creation

The first attempts to connect the Gulf of Finland and Lake Saima were made in 1500 and 1511 by the Governor of Vyborg Eric Tureson Bjelka. The next attempt was made in 1600, at this time two excavations were made, but this all ended. Already in the reign of Catherine the Great, a new plan was proposed - since the Vuoksa River connects Lake Saimaa with Ladoga Lake, it was planned to build a canal bypassing Imatra. However, too much expenditure, which it was necessary to spend on this project, caused the refusal to bring this plan into effect. In 1826, at a meeting of the city courts of Karelia and Savolaks, it was decided to send a deputation of peasants to Petersburg to the emperor in order that he make the connection of the lake region with the seaside towns. After accepting and listening to the deputies, Nikolay First ordered the necessary investigations. However, no real funds were found, in connection with this, the laying of the channel did not begin. The next time this question was raised by the Governor of Vyborg August Ramsay in 1834. The case was given to Senator LF Hartmann (head of the financial expedition) and Prince Menshikov. In the city of Vyborg, a committee was established to compile an estimate and plan for this project. For the initial research invited a well-known Swedish engineer. As a result of his work, it turned out that the waters of the lake are above the sea level by 256 feet, and the cost of this facility will be three million rubles. The required amount was allocated with installments for fifteen years.

And so, in 1845, construction work began. In their process, Swedish engineer Nils Erickson has made some improvements to the channel plan. Initially, the head of this construction company was Baron Karl Rosenkampf, who received the nickname "baron channels". However, in 1846 he passed away, and in his place was appointed Major-General Shernval. All construction work was carried out at the expense of the treasury of Finland. The total cost was 12.4 million Finnish marks. The total length of the structure is 54.5 versts, twenty-eight sluices of granite were erected on this stretch.

We built, built and finally built ...

August 26, 1856 there was a grand opening of this building. It was timed to the coronation of Emperor Alexander II. Finland was proud of the Saimaa Canal, which helped to penetrate the desert regions of the country. A special charm was given to him by the pristine beauty of nature. On the banks of the canal, memorable signs with the inscription in Swedish and Russian languages were installed, on which all figures involved in the creation of this structure were listed. All the construction was very original and bold, considering that the difference in the levels of the connected waters made the current in the canal extremely rapid.

The opening took place four years ahead of schedule. Another feature of this project is the cheapness of such a huge amount of work. The following factors played a role here: the honesty and orderliness of the Finnish managers, as well as the cheapness of the labor force, because here prisoners were mainly involved.

Channel Value

The Saimaa Canal was of great importance for the development of this region. The population of Karelia and Savolaks finally freed from the exclusive economic dependence of the remote harbors of Ladoga and the Gulf of Bothnia (its northern part). The benefits of using this facility could be even greater if the project managers could eliminate the mercenary intervention of the merchant lobby. So, out of fear of losing monopoly in trade, they, by means of intrigues and other methods, ensured that the capacity of the locks was limited. As a result, all ships going this way should have a body width of not more than seven meters. Otherwise, all the goods had to be transhipped in Vyborg for ships that were suitable for these requirements. In this way, several merchant firms secured a monopoly on exports. And, as a consequence, the Saimaa Canal from Vyborg lost much of its importance for the development of this region. However, later, during the reconstruction of this structure, the width of the locks was substantially increased.

Lake Saima in pre-revolutionary Russian guidebooks

In 1870, an open passenger rail service was opened between St. Petersburg and Helsinki. This event made the most beautiful places in southern Finland accessible to the public. Railway communication has given a new impetus to the development of the Karelian Isthmus and the entire surrounding area. Here, settlements began to be built, resorts and sanatoria built, ground roads connecting various settlements and railways were built. A huge role in the new development of this region was played by the Saimaa Canal. Now he performed functions not only to develop trade relations. Popular cruises to Finland, to Lake Saimaa and the Imatra waterfall have become popular . So, these places began to fall into the Russian literature, which describes the cultural monuments of this region. At the same time, literature appeared to popularize information about the region and promote its sights, as well as create a new image. Special guides were published, describing the Saimaa Canal and its surroundings. Most of them contained information on traffic routes, postal stations, the schedule of steamships and trains, information about hotels, how and where to hire horses, resorts and sanatoriums and much more. All of the above indicates that before the revolution information about this object as a significant landmark of Finland was very well known. Travel on the Saimaa canal was common for those who like active leisure.

Cottage life on the channel

The first dachas here began to appear even at the time of construction. The sections of the canal that were in official use were decorated with plantings, this served as an incentive for renting out land or for building cottages. In addition to the beautiful nature, the popularity of recreation in this area was facilitated by the good communication provided by the ships navigating the river cruises and passing along this water artery. Soon, the wealthy residents of Vyborg and St. Petersburg built up the coast of the canal to Lake Nuyamaa. In Rytjatari there was the most luxurious villa, which belongs to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Von Giers. It was built by one of the engineers who participated in the construction of the canal. Most dachas were distinguished by their architecture, they were decorated with towers, balconies, carvings, they were surrounded by well-kept extensive gardens with piers and pavilions. The names of the houses are as romantic as their exterior: "Runolinna", "Raukhantaranta", "Onnela", "Iloranta" ... The demand for real estate in this region was so high that it became profitable to build for rental. The Saimaa Canal of that time is known not only for dachas, but also for large estates. The most famous of them is the estate of Lavola, it belonged to the genus Cheesff and was located at the mouth of the object. Manors together with dachas formed a very colorful ensemble, the atmosphere here was cheerful, international. River cruises, concerts, visits and walks revived the public life, she offered the guests a lot of impressions and opportunities for earning money for local residents. However, after the revolution, the country life fell into disrepair, and with it the Saimaa Canal. Tours for him no longer interested in Russian bohemia.

Anti-tank fence

In the plans of the general staff of the Finnish armed forces in the thirties of the last century, this water body was considered as a possible way to organize the supply of the army. According to the developed plans, it was intended to concentrate the conduct of military operations on the Karelian Isthmus. And so, in 1939, during the period of extra-long fees, it was noted that the channel could be in the war zone. It was a serious obstacle due to a deep channel. Therefore, it was decided to use it in anti-tank defense. As a result, quite extensive areas were flooded in the area of the lakes Kärstila Lykulya and Ventela. The total area of flooded areas was thirty-five square kilometers. During the period 1941-1944, the channel did not participate in military operations.

Restoration of shipping

Due to the fact that the peace treaty established between the Soviet Union and Finland left the Vyborg Gulf on the territory of the USSR, and the border divided the canal into two parts, eventually it ceased to function. In the post-war period, to resume shipping, it was required not only to reconstruct buildings and dilapidated equipment, but also to reach a bilateral agreement on the use of this water body. For the first time this issue was raised in 1948, but official interstate negotiations began only in 1954. According to the agreement reached, a group of Finnish engineers left for the Soviet Union to study the state of this waterway. Specialists came to the conclusion that river channels on Soviet territory are quite suitable for restoring navigation on them. However, work in this direction began after thirteen years, after both sides finally came to a unified solution in the issues of lease. In 1968 the reconstruction was completed. In the course of it, the capacity of the airlock chambers was significantly expanded.

Cruise - Saimaa Canal

Lappeenrante is a resort town in Finland. Attractiveness is given to him by the Lake of the Seim, on whose bank he is, and the Saimaa Canal. Excursion by boat on these water objects is the only thing that attracts tourists from Russia. By the way, this is the only inland waterway in Russia, according to which foreign vessels can go. Passenger ships, making river cruises, transport tourists from the Russian Federation and Finland. Earlier, according to the contract of 1963, passengers arriving from Finland to our country had the right to visa-free entry. However, with the accession of the republic to the Schengen Treaty, this agreement was canceled. Now passengers are required to obtain visas. However, they are needed only if the ship pierces to the shores of Russia, for example, land them for an excursion in Vyborg. If cruises on a ferry from Finland do not provide calls to Russian ports, a visa is not needed. For example, the steamer "Christina Brahe" runs through the territory of our country, making flights between Lappeenranta and Helsinki, and the vessel "Karelia" - between Vyborg and Lappeenranta.

Traveling through the eyes of a tourist

It is hard to imagine how many more years such cruise flights will last. After all, Finns, who would like to see the sights of the Saimaa Canal, not too much, and our tourists even less. And this despite the fact that the ticket to one side is about thirty euros. Travel is worth the money.

The length of the route is forty-three km, but they have eight locks. When the ship across the Saimaa Canal overcomes the first of them - it's interesting. However, already at the third gateway irritation begins to grow, and by the eighth you can not wait until it is over, but still interesting. When the steamer reaches the border post of Nuyamaa, the verification of documents begins. It is interesting that this post is combined - automotive and water. If you are on a ship in the same company as Finnish tourists, be prepared for the fact that they often behave like most Russians: they start consuming hot drinks even before the ship departs from the pier. Many tourists specifically buy a ticket for such a cruise, explaining this by saying that there is a duty-free shop on the boat. If we take into account the fact that in Finland alcohol is strained, this behavior becomes quite understandable. During the period of general drinking, tour guides vainly try to draw the attention of the public to stories about the canal, locks and other sights. And there is still something to see - the channel is very beautiful. For example, near Vyborg it is crossed by rather high bridges - railway and automobile. All navigation systems are erected on granite pillars or exposed on islands. Part of the channel is cut in a rock massif, the other part has sloping sandy beaches with boulders. A dense forest grows along the canal, which in combination with the rocks forms a very beautiful landscape. The Russian part is completely uninhabited, nearby Vyborg there are still lonely houses, and then there is a pristine nature. The only lively place is in the border area, where the route to Lappeenranta passes. Quite the opposite picture on the Finnish side: here the settlements are found immediately behind the checkpoint. In the Lappeenranta area, before reaching the last lock, the main port on this waterway is located - the Saima terminal. Loading / unloading of cargo ships is carried out here. Cargoes are mainly from the Russian side - up to two million tons per year.

Lake Saimaa

When the ship overcomes the last airlock, it enters Lake Saimen. The first thing that looks like is a very large pulp and paper mill. The guide proudly tells us that more than two and a half thousand people work here. This "miracle" of civilization spoils the whole impression of the trip, it also prevents the city of Lappeenranta from gaining full tourist status. After all, the enterprise, even if it has modern treatment facilities, still pours tons of waste into the lake's waters, which makes it unsuitable for swimming within a radius of several tens of kilometers. And what is most interesting, in tourist brochures nothing is said about the presence of the plant here. However, this is not all: in front of the plant is a confectionery, which also discharges waste into the lake, it's not for nothing that it is completely covered with grass in the area of this enterprise. And here, oddly enough, the main tourist complex "Khukhtinimi" and the summer hotel "Karelia Park" are located. At the very "fence" with the confectionery factory there is one more complex - "Saima". True, he looks kind of dull, neglected, like those who have struggled to stay afloat in small towns of Soviet-era hotels. There is also a beach here, however, in order to get to the water, you have to overcome the grassy thickets or try to pass through special bridges, which, incidentally, are broken in its middle part, but through the break someone obligingly put the board. Here is a resort!

Lappeenrante

The main attraction of Lappeenranta is the Memorial Cemetery, which is located in the center of the city. Here you can see the graves of the dead soldiers during the periods of 1939-1940 and 1941-1944. And what is very curious, all burials are individual, there are no fraternal burials. To the cemetery there is a monument to soldiers, who were called from the territory of the Karelian Isthmus (today it is the territory of the Russian Federation). It consists of two parts - sculptures and plates with names of settlements and surnames of soldiers, among other things, among them there are also Russians. Especially a lot of them among the natives Teriyok (Zelenogorsk). Actually, there are no more sights here. The city has a modern look, very well maintained and constantly being reconstructed. There is especially nothing to do there. At night, Lappeenrante falls asleep, all the shops are closed, you can only find kiosks selling hamburgers and other similar snacks. Here, even the station building is closed until seven in the morning. Wandering through the empty night streets, it becomes clear why the Finns are so "breaking away" in our country.

Imatra

This city is completely different from Lappeenranta, its history is much shorter. It was founded in 1948 and is so close to the border with Russia that domestic cellular networks are caught here. Located Imatra in the source of the river Vuoksa. The main enterprises of this city are a metallurgical plant and a hydroelectric power station. However, unlike Lappeenranta, there are no industrial facilities on the lake shore. There are two unique monuments here: the first is devoted to the turbine, and the second - to the support of the power line. The main tourist attraction is Imatrakoski artificial watercourse. Before the construction of the hydroelectric station, it was natural, in pre-revolutionary times, Russian bohemians loved to come here and admire the waterfall. Now here the water is put on schedule, this descent is the main "tourist attraction" of Imatra. The second attraction is the Crown Park, which is located on an island that separates the old Vuoksi and the reservoir. The park was founded by the decree of Emperor Nicholas I, who ordered that the gully and its surroundings remain unchanged. The city of Imatra is much more attractive for tourists than Lappeenrante, there are quite modern hotels, places for recreation, and lovers of fishing will have a wonderful opportunity to spend an unforgettable time on the shore of Lake Saimaa.

Saimaa Canal: fishing

Fishing on the lake is excellent all year round. The main types of fish are pike, perch, lake salmon, trout. Local people do not get involved in fishing, despite the fact that the roach here practically practically jumps ashore, the Finns somehow do not use it for food. Most tourists catch it from Russia. At the end of spring trolling is best served by salmon and trout. The pike is caught all year round. In addition, there is a lot of burbot, it is often fished for trolling and balance. Because of the large size of the reservoir, it is not so easy to determine where the fish was hiding. However, a skilled fisherman will always return from Saima with a good catch. Nature here is pure and unhurried, conducive to pacification, disposes to meditation and contemplation. A wonderful holiday will be provided to you!