Joensuu

Joensuu, the second largest city in Eastern Finland and the capital of North Karelia, is at the outfall of the river Pielisjoki in the Saimaa lake system.

The city center is on the right bank of the river around the main square, and this is the place to find sights, restaurants, hotels and shops. Joensuu has square town plan. From the main square a bridge leads across the island Ilosaari to the train station.

Joensuu ("River's mouth" in Finnish) is near the point where the Pielisjoki river flows into the Lake Pyhäselkä. It is one of the relatively fast growing centres in Eastern Finland. The University of Eastern Finland supplies a constant stream of fresh student meat from all over the country and exchange students from abroad. Joensuu's industry, as well as a large part of the University programs, is dominated by forestry.

• Carelicum, Koskikatu 5, +358 13 267 5222. Daily M-F 10:00- 17:00, Sa Su 11:00-16:00, except on national holidays.. The North Karelian Museum displays a wide range of stuff from Karelian folklore dresses to maps and photographs of places nowadays forgotten behind the Russian border. If you have made the effort to go to Joensuu, it is well worth a visit. If you are a student of Finnish Culture (e.G. in Helsinki University), you might get in for free, try!
• Joensuu Bunker Museum, +358 13 267 5222. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. As part of the Salpa-line protecting Finland from the threat of Russia during World War II, the museum displays several models of concrete bunkers fully equipped with original guns and gear. A bizarre but worthwhile visit. During summer some local history students will hang around geared up as soldiers serving tea and are willing to answer all your questions. Open only during the summer.
• City Hall. On the main square in the Art Nouveau style by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. Saarinen is also the author of the Helsinki Central Railway Station (1909), and they resemble each other remarkably. The theater of the city also functions in the same building.
• Joensuu Arena, Mehtimäenaukio 2. Joensuu Arena, the largest wooden building in Finland offers a magnificent setting for various types of events in Joensuu. The Arena is suitable venue for a wide variety of events from fairs to exhibitions, concerts and from small-scale meeting to large confrerences. In sports use, the Arena is suited for football, Finnish baseball, athletics, boxing, climbing and many indoor sports.
• City Center. Wooden 19th-century houses close to the Pielisjoki river. Some other remains of the wooden Joensuu remain here and there, but the old town as it was is now mainly lost due to construction speculation in the 1960s up to present. The center anyhow follows the town plan that was made in 1848. Streets were made wide to prevent fire in a wooden town, and the trees in the streets are birch for the same reason, for example in Kirkkokatu (Church St.) that has a church in both ends, Greek Orthodox and Lutheran. Otherwise the centre is a rather ugly grid system post war concrete collection of houses with the typical shops and bars and restaurants you will find in any Finnish city. Most important modern buildings are the new library and Metla building in the university campus (There is a cafe inside).

Carelicum, Koskikatu 5, +358 13 267 5222. Daily M-F 10:00- 17:00, Sa Su 11:00-16:00, except on national holidays.. The North Karelian Museum displays a wide range of stuff from Karelian folklore dresses to maps and photographs of places nowadays forgotten behind the Russian border. If you have made the effort to go to Joensuu, it is well worth a visit. If you are a student of Finnish Culture (e.G. in Helsinki University), you might get in for free, try!

Joensuu Bunker Museum, +358 13 267 5222. Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. As part of the Salpa-line protecting Finland from the threat of Russia during World War II, the museum displays several models of concrete bunkers fully equipped with original guns and gear. A bizarre but worthwhile visit. During summer some local history students will hang around geared up as soldiers serving tea and are willing to answer all your questions. Open only during the summer.

City Hall. On the main square in the Art Nouveau style by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. Saarinen is also the author of the Helsinki Central Railway Station (1909), and they resemble each other remarkably. The theater of the city also functions in the same building.

Joensuu Arena, Mehtimäenaukio 2. Joensuu Arena, the largest wooden building in Finland offers a magnificent setting for various types of events in Joensuu. The Arena is suitable venue for a wide variety of events from fairs to exhibitions, concerts and from small-scale meeting to large confrerences. In sports use, the Arena is suited for football, Finnish baseball, athletics, boxing, climbing and many indoor sports.

City Center. Wooden 19th-century houses close to the Pielisjoki river. Some other remains of the wooden Joensuu remain here and there, but the old town as it was is now mainly lost due to construction speculation in the 1960s up to present. The center anyhow follows the town plan that was made in 1848. Streets were made wide to prevent fire in a wooden town, and the trees in the streets are birch for the same reason, for example in Kirkkokatu (Church St.) that has a church in both ends, Greek Orthodox and Lutheran. Otherwise the centre is a rather ugly grid system post war concrete collection of houses with the typical shops and bars and restaurants you will find in any Finnish city. Most important modern buildings are the new library and Metla building in the university campus (There is a cafe inside).

• Ilosaarirock. The Ilosaarirock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Joensuu on the second weekend of July. Founded in 1971, Ilosaarirock is the second oldest rock festival in Finland still active, and one of the oldest in Europe. Ilosaarirock gathers about 21,000 daily visitors and has been sold out in advance every year since 1998.
• Rokumentti Rock Film Festival. An annual film festival held in November.

Ilosaarirock. The Ilosaarirock Festival is an annual rock festival held in Joensuu on the second weekend of July. Founded in 1971, Ilosaarirock is the second oldest rock festival in Finland still active, and one of the oldest in Europe. Ilosaarirock gathers about 21,000 daily visitors and has been sold out in advance every year since 1998.

Rokumentti Rock Film Festival. An annual film festival held in November.

• Taitokortteli Arts & Crafts, Koskikatu 1, +358 13 220140. Handcraft and culture quarter, includes a café, boutiques and shops, craft centre and exhibitions.
• Levy-Eskot Record Store, Kauppakatu 27, +358 13 228292. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-15:00. Great selection of new and used CD's and vinyl.
• Tori. In the centre of Joensuu and especially lively during the summer months. In the winter the two market cafes will close and most of the stands will not be there.
• Torikirppis. Huge outdoor flea market that is held every other Sunday during the summer.

Taitokortteli Arts & Crafts, Koskikatu 1, +358 13 220140. Handcraft and culture quarter, includes a café, boutiques and shops, craft centre and exhibitions.

Levy-Eskot Record Store, Kauppakatu 27, +358 13 228292. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-15:00. Great selection of new and used CD's and vinyl.

Tori. In the centre of Joensuu and especially lively during the summer months. In the winter the two market cafes will close and most of the stands will not be there.

Torikirppis. Huge outdoor flea market that is held every other Sunday during the summer.

• Market place and Market hall. In Finland so called grilliruoka (fast food from kiosks, usually meat pies, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc.) is popular but not very healthy in the long run. For fish lovers, however, some stands will serve "muikku," a small fish that is fried whole in butter and coated with rye flour. It's eaten whole, head and all; it's small enough to not even feel the bones. A choice of these are around the town, including in both ends of the market hall Kauppahalli. At the market square you have a choice of local and ethnic (including Thai) food stands. For small snacks only, try local "karjalanpiirakka" pastry at the marketplace stands or from Marttakahvila's Piirakkapaja.
• Teatteriravintola, Rantakatu 20. At the combined city hall/theater, serving delicious Karelian style food.
• Rosso, Siltakatu 8. Rosso in the corner of the marketplace is a mainly family restaurant, but very popular all over Finland.
• University canteens. You can also have a meal in any of the University canteens or in the canteen of Joensuu Science Park (most busy and maybe best of them) Lunch menu starting from around €5.
• Kerubin Keittiö, Siltakatu 1 (Ilosaari), +358 13 129377. M Tu 11:00-14:00, W-F 11:00-22:00, Sa 14:00-22:00. In Karjalantalo building at Ilosaari. Lunch on weekdays 11AM-2PM, other times a la carte, good vegetarian menu.

Market place and Market hall. In Finland so called grilliruoka (fast food from kiosks, usually meat pies, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc.) is popular but not very healthy in the long run. For fish lovers, however, some stands will serve "muikku," a small fish that is fried whole in butter and coated with rye flour. It's eaten whole, head and all; it's small enough to not even feel the bones. A choice of these are around the town, including in both ends of the market hall Kauppahalli. At the market square you have a choice of local and ethnic (including Thai) food stands. For small snacks only, try local "karjalanpiirakka" pastry at the marketplace stands or from Marttakahvila's Piirakkapaja.

Teatteriravintola, Rantakatu 20. At the combined city hall/theater, serving delicious Karelian style food.

Rosso, Siltakatu 8. Rosso in the corner of the marketplace is a mainly family restaurant, but very popular all over Finland.

University canteens. You can also have a meal in any of the University canteens or in the canteen of Joensuu Science Park (most busy and maybe best of them) Lunch menu starting from around €5.

Kerubin Keittiö, Siltakatu 1 (Ilosaari), +358 13 129377. M Tu 11:00-14:00, W-F 11:00-22:00, Sa 14:00-22:00. In Karjalantalo building at Ilosaari. Lunch on weekdays 11AM-2PM, other times a la carte, good vegetarian menu.

There are plenty of pubs around the city centre.

• Public Corner, Siltakatu 8. Beers and ciders. Also internet.
• Pub Palaveri, Siltakatu 4. The best selection of beers in Joensuu.
• BePop, Kauppakatu 28. Another night club in the city centre, rather expensive.
• Night, Itäranta 1, +358 10-762-3593. F Sa 23:00–04:00. It used to be the biggest night club in Joensuu, inside Sokos Hotel Kimmel. Live music (always?). Minimum age Friday 20, Saturday 22.
• Muru, Siltakatu 10. A small bar that serves food and drinks.
• Gloria, Siltakatu 12. Beer and live music next to main square. Favorite "after-school" or "after-work" destination.
• La Barre, Torikatu 21. Beer and live music from rock/alternative bands.
• Kerubi, Siltakatu 1. Rock club and restaurant at Ilosaari island in a centre of Joensuu middle of Pielisjoki river. Main venue for live music in Joensuu. Serves both food and drinks. Free Wi-Fi.

Public Corner, Siltakatu 8. Beers and ciders. Also internet.

Pub Palaveri, Siltakatu 4. The best selection of beers in Joensuu.

BePop, Kauppakatu 28. Another night club in the city centre, rather expensive.

Night, Itäranta 1, +358 10-762-3593. F Sa 23:00–04:00. It used to be the biggest night club in Joensuu, inside Sokos Hotel Kimmel. Live music (always?). Minimum age Friday 20, Saturday 22.

Muru, Siltakatu 10. A small bar that serves food and drinks.

Gloria, Siltakatu 12. Beer and live music next to main square. Favorite "after-school" or "after-work" destination.

La Barre, Torikatu 21. Beer and live music from rock/alternative bands.

Kerubi, Siltakatu 1. Rock club and restaurant at Ilosaari island in a centre of Joensuu middle of Pielisjoki river. Main venue for live music in Joensuu. Serves both food and drinks. Free Wi-Fi.

Ski resort and national park of Koli north of the city. You can reach Koli ski resort by bus of Matkahuolto.