Sulkava

municipality in the region of Southern Savonia in Finland

Sulkava is a town and municipality in the South Savonia region of Finland, surrounded by Lake Saimaa and divided in two parts by Lake Saimaa's main watercourse, between the main Saimaa basin and Pihjalavesi. Like much of South Savonia, Sulkava is a summer cottage region: the municipality is said to double its population during the holiday season.

In the 18th century the international border between the Kingdom of Sweden and the Russian Empire divided the parish in two. The parts are connected by the spectacular Vekaransalmi Bridge, completed in 2019.

Like most of the Finnish Lakeland, Sulkava is surrounded by Lake Saimaa, which is very scenic and clean. Boating is very popular, and boats are available for rent.

Sulkava is most known for hosting Finland's greatest rowing event, the annual Sulkava Rowing Race (Sulkavan Suursoudut), held in July with thousands of rowers. The main class in the race is the "church boat", now standardised to 14 rowers plus helmsman, formerly used to get to the church services.

Understand

Sulkava is a small rural town, with some 2,400 inhabitants in 2022. The centre hosts two supermarkets, a marina, some restaurants and even an EV charging station, but outside the direct town center (and the small village of Lohilahti), Sulkava is a rural place.

The city of Savonlinna, many multiples larger, is only some 30 minutes away by car. This means that many services are not available in Sulkava, as locals will simply drive to Savonlinna for anything complicated.

Sulkava is a tourist destination during the summer, getting most popular during the Finnish holiday season from early June to mid-August. Visiting in, say, January, you will find most services outside of the necessities closed.

Get in

From highway 5, turn to Savonlinnantie (road 14) towards Savonlinna, the nearest city. After 3,6 km, in Juva, turn to Sulkavantie (road 434, later 436 and 435), which after 34 km passes 2 km north of Sulkava centre. From Savonlinna, drive north-west on highway 14, turn to Sulkavantie (road 435) after 17 km, in Kallislahti. After 17 or 21 km more, turn towards Sulkava.

  • 🌍 Sulkava marina and harbour (Sulkavan vierasvenesatama), Alanteentie 18. Sulkava marina and harbour. One of the most charming marinas on Lake Saimaa. Facilities include gas station, restauranta, sauna washing and machines for visiting boaters. (updated Nov 2023)
  • 🌍 Sulkava bus station. Bus connections from Savonlinna, Mikkeli-Juva and Puumala. (updated Nov 2023)

Get around

By taxi

  • Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi
View from the top of Sulkava hill fort.

See

  • 🌍 Sulkava market square (Sulkavan tori). Centre of the town of Sulkava, with most shops and restaurants within walking distance. Occasionally hosts markets during weekends. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Sulkava Church (Sulkavan kirkko), Kirkkotie 1 (in the town centre). 19th-century large wooden church, designed by architect Charles Bassi, fitting over 1,000 people. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Sulkava hill fort (Sulkavan linnavuori), Linnavuorentie 306 (10 km from centre). Iron age hill fort, with magnificent views from an elevation of 55 m. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Telakanava military canal (Telataipaleen kanava), Lohilahdentie 1137. Military canal constructed by the Russians in 1798 as a short-cut to Russian-controlled Savonlinna from Southern Saimaa. The canal is one of a canal system built on the Russian side of the 1743 border. (updated Nov 2023)
  • 🌍 Lohikoski Church (Lohikosken kirkko), Kappelitie 12. entry during church services. Idyllic little chruch in the beautiful Lokilahti Village. The church serves the villages of Southeastern part of Sulkava, Eastern Puumala and Southern Savonlinna. Designed by architect Ilmari Virkkala and built in 1934. (updated Nov 2023)
  • 🌍 Sarsuinmäki Salpa Line gun battery, Hirviniementie 54. World War II Salpa defence line battery containing a museum cannon. (updated Nov 2023)
  • 🌍 Vekaransalmi Bridge (Vekaransalmen silta) (On the regional road 438). Vekaransalmi Bridge replaced a ferry connection across the straight Vekaransalmi in 2019. With the height of almost 30 meters the bridge is worth a stop to admire the view to Lake Saimaa. (updated Feb 2024)

Do

Sulkava Rowing Races

Small boats at Sulkavan suursoudut, 1991
  • Sulkavan Suursoudut, Alanteentie 1, . July. Finland's greatest rowing event, with some 8,000 rowers. The World Master Rowing competition is an opportunity to race these special Sulkava long boats against competitors from all over the world or just to experience the Finnish summer and a unique rowing event. There is also programme on the shore, both at the rowing stadium and at Varvinranta, where overnight-rowers spend the night. Participation: €65–100/person, long boat rent for the race €300–600, otherwise €125/day. 

The main races are with long boats traditionally used for rowing to the church. The ones used have 14 rowers + helmsman, with fixed or moving seats. Also rowing boats for 1–6 persons, canoes and kayaks participate (some series Finnish championships). The main long boat races (60 km) are held on Friday and Saturday, other races (30 and 60 km) on Saturday, a rowing journey Saturday–Sunday with overnighting in tents (70 km).

Participants need to register early, especially if you need to rent a boat.

Buy

  • Marimekko pop-up outlet, Alanteentie 3. June to August. Outlet store of the world-famous Finnish fashion brand Marimekko, in a former Marimekko factory. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Sulkavan kästyöpuoti, Alanteentie 26. Traditional, high-quality woodcrafts and handicrafts store. (updated Jul 2022)

Eat

Drink

  • Alanteen Helmi, Alanteentie. Coffee and beer with a terrace, by the lake. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Art Deco Hotel and Restaurant, Alanteentie 9. Summertime only. Food and an ice cream bar. (updated Jul 2022)

Sleep

  • Art Deco Hotel and Restaurant, Alanteentie 9. Summertime only. Near the marina; also hosts some yacht mooring. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Tiittala Manor (Tiittalan kartano), Kirkkotie 140. Former manor house turned into a bed & breakfast. (updated Jul 2022)

Connect

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