Lieksa is a Finnish city located on the shores of Lake Pielinen
in the province of North Karelia. The city has a population of
10,845 people and an area of 4,067.71 km2, of which 649.82 km2 are
water bodies. The population density is 3.17 inhabitants / km2. The
city is an archipelago association according to the Archipelago Act.
Lieksa is the city furthest from the sea in the Fennoscandian
region.
The name Lieksa is of Sámi origin; the corresponding
word in modern northern Sámi is leakša ‘swampy valley’.
Koli
National Park
Koli National Park, established in 1991, spans 30
square kilometers across the municipalities of Lieksa, Joensuu, and
Kontiolahti, preserving North Karelia's iconic hill landscapes,
old-growth forests, and diverse ecosystems. It's renowned as Finland's
most beloved national landscape, inspiring artists and poets with its
dramatic vistas over Lake Pielinen from hilltops like Ukko-Koli (347
meters), Akka-Koli, and Paha-Koli. The park's geology dates back
billions of years, featuring quartzite hills formed during ancient
mountain-building events, now covered in spruce, pine, and birch forests
teeming with wildlife such as moose, lynx, and birds of prey.
Activities abound across seasons: over 80 km of marked trails for hiking
and mountain biking in summer, including the 1.4 km Huippujen Kierros
loop to the summits; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter; and
paddling, sailing, or fishing on Lake Pielinen. The Koli Nature Centre
Ukko offers exhibits on local geology, flora, and cultural history, plus
guided tours. Visitor tips: Access via the Koli village ferry or road
from Lieksa (about 30 km); wear sturdy shoes for rocky paths; and visit
in autumn for vibrant foliage or winter for frozen lake views. Entry is
free, but some facilities like the heritage farm or ski lifts have fees.
Patvinsuo National Park
Patvinsuo National Park, founded in 1982
and covering 105 square kilometers, is a prime example of eastern
Finland's mire and forest wilderness, where northern and southern
ecosystems converge. It's an internationally significant wetland area,
with expansive open bogs, raised mires, and dense pine forests that
provide habitat for all of Finland's large carnivores—bears, wolves,
wolverines, and lynx—along with rare birds like the Siberian jay and
golden eagle. The park's mires are dotted with small lakes and esker
ridges, offering a serene, untouched landscape ideal for birdwatching
and nature study.
With 80 km of marked trails, including boardwalks
over sensitive wetlands like the 3 km Suomunjärvi Loop, visitors can
hike, berry-pick, or canoe in summer. Winter brings off-trail skiing
across frozen mires. As a protected reserve, it's perfect for quiet
exploration, with campfire sites and lean-to shelters available. Tips:
Located 50 km northeast of Lieksa; bring insect repellent for summer
mosquitoes; no entrance fee, but follow "leave no trace" principles to
preserve the fragile mires. It's also a Ramsar wetland site, emphasizing
its ecological value.
Ruunaa Hiking Area and Neitikoski Rapids
The Ruunaa Hiking Area, established in 1987 and spanning 31 square
kilometers, is a rugged wilderness of roaring rapids, old-growth
forests, and rocky terrain along the Lieksanjoki River, just 30 km east
of Lieksa. It's famed for its free-flowing whitewater, with six major
rapids—including Neitikoski, Kattilakoski, and Murrookoski—drawing
anglers, rafters, and kayakers. The area's history ties to timber
floating, with preserved logging relics adding cultural depth.
Neitikoski Rapids, one of the highlights, features powerful cascades
dropping over 2 meters, surrounded by pine-clad shores. An accessible
1.2 km out-and-back trail (with gravel paths and boardwalks) leads to
viewing platforms, making it suitable for all abilities, including
wheelchairs in parts. Activities include fly-fishing for trout and
grayling (permits required), rubber-raft tours through the rapids, and
over 50 km of trails for hiking or mountain biking, connecting to the
longer Karhunpolku (Bear's Trail) network. In winter, snowmobile routes
and ice fishing are popular. Tips: Base at Ruunaa Nature Center for info
and rentals; visit in July-August for peak season, but book rafting in
advance; no fees for entry, but fishing licenses needed.
Paateri
Paateri is the former home, atelier, and church of renowned Finnish wood
sculptor Eva Ryynänen (1915–2001), now a museum showcasing her life's
work in a forested setting by Lake Vuonisjärvi, 27 km from Lieksa
center. Ryynänen, known for her organic, nature-inspired sculptures,
hand-built the site using local timber, creating a harmonious blend of
art and environment. The centerpiece is the Paateri Church (completed
1991), a log structure with intricate carvings, an altar resembling a
tree trunk, and pews from massive pine logs, seating up to 200 for
services or concerts.
The atelier displays her tools and unfinished
pieces, while the home offers glimpses into her daily life, with
galleries featuring over 500 sculptures of animals, figures, and
abstract forms. Activities include guided tours (summer only) and a café
serving local pastries. Tips: Open year-round but check seasonal hours;
admission around €8; accessible paths, but some areas are rustic; ideal
for art enthusiasts seeking inspiration in a tranquil woodland.
Pielisen Museum
Pielisen Museum, Lieksa's premier cultural site, is
Finland's second-largest open-air museum, featuring over 70 historical
Karelian buildings relocated from the region, spanning the 18th to 20th
centuries. Located 1 km from Lake Pielinen on the Lieksanjoki River
banks, it includes three themed farmyards with outbuildings, watermills,
windmills, lumberjack cabins, and exhibits on farming, forestry, and
firefighting. The indoor section houses photographs, artifacts, and
displays on Karelian folk traditions, immigration, and local crafts.
Visitors can explore self-guided or join demonstrations like
blacksmithing or baking in summer. It's a living history lesson on rural
Finnish life. Tips: Open year-round, with extended summer hours; entry
€10; family-friendly with picnic areas; combine with a walk along the
river.
Era Eero Wildlife Center
Era Eero is a family-run
wildlife observation site specializing in photographing and viewing
Finland's large carnivores in their natural habitat, located in a scenic
Natura-protected area near Lieksa. Founded by Eero Seppänen, it offers
professional hides (cabins) overlooking feeding sites where brown bears,
wolves, wolverines, and eagles frequently appear, especially from April
to October. The site emphasizes ethical practices, with no baiting that
disrupts animal behavior, and includes overnight stays in rustic lodges
by Uuronlampi Lake.
Activities focus on guided sessions (2–6 hours)
with high-end optics provided, plus birdwatching for species like the
golden eagle. Tips: Book in advance (€100–200 per session); best in
evenings for activity; off-grid with solar power; suitable for
photographers but quiet patience required.
Lake Pielinen
As
Finland's fourth-largest lake (894 km²), Lake Pielinen dominates
Lieksa's landscape, offering stunning shores, islands, and clear waters
for boating, swimming, and fishing species like perch, pike, and
vendace. It's integral to Koli's views and features attractions like
Paalasmaa Island (Finland's highest island) with hiking trails and
beaches. Summer ferries connect to Lieksa, while winter ice roads allow
access. Tips: Rent kayaks or join cruises; free public beaches; respect
fishing regulations.
Other notable sights include the Lieksa Orthodox
Church, a 19th-century wooden structure reflecting Karelian influences,
and Räsävaara observation tower for panoramic forest views. Lieksa’s
blend of nature and culture makes it a year-round destination, with peak
visitation in summer for outdoor pursuits.
The early stages of the region
The Iron Age objects
in the Lieksa region are represented by a pin-decorated bronze
buckle found in Kelva (from about 800, original in the National
Museum). The Peace of Pähkinäsaari in 1323 divided Karelia between
Sweden and Novgorod, after which the Pielinen region fell peacefully
into the Novgorod administrative district. During the Novgorod rule,
a permanent Karelian settlement was established in the area. The
settlers moved south to Karelia to their familiar wilderness. The
first villages of Lake Pielisjärvi (eg Lieksa and Viensuu) existed
at the end of the 15th century. In full peace, Lake Pielisjärvi
remained under Moscow's rule, but the peace of Stolbova in 1617
connected Lake Pielisjärvi to Sweden, when it became part of
Käkisalmi County. In Lieksa, in the 16th century, the Karelian
leader Luka Räsäinen, who took part in the battles between the
Russians and the Swedes. Savolais became birch burners in the 17th
century in the Pielisjärvi area.
Brahea, St. Petersburg The
city of Brahe
The Lieksa region was already an important trading
place in the Middle Ages. In the middle of the 17th century, Lake
Pielisjärvi became part of the large Free Duchy of Kajaani. Count
Peter Brahe, of which the province was a county, founded the town of
Brahea at the mouth of the Lieksanjoki River in 1653 to support the
trade of Viena.
During the Rupult War, a fortress, or
Skanssi, was built from logs to defend the city. It measured 71 × 53
meters. The fort was built of logs, and had a round tower at every
corner and two gates. There was a tavern inside the fortress.
The town area housed, among other things, the town hall, the
Orthodox tsasouna, the bourgeois dwelling houses and the Lutheran
church completed in 1667 on the site of the present church. The town
of Brahea has had a school since 1663.
Brahe was abolished as
early as 1681, just a year after Count Brahe's death. The
Pielisjärvi area was annexed to the Free Duchy of Kajaani, whose
order by Governor Hindrich Piper destroyed the city of Brahea. The
town was finally destroyed by Salomon Ehnberg, who leased the
Pielisjärvi parish from the crown in 1685: the town houses were
demolished and the area plowed into a field.
At most, the
city of Brahea had about 350 inhabitants. After the abolition, the
church village of Pielisjärvi parish remained on the site.
The theme of the present coat of arms of the city of Lieksa dates
from the seal of the city of Brahea in 1669.
Pielisjärvi
church village after the abolition of Brahea
Lake Pielisjärvi was
given in 1685 for a tax lease to Salomon Ehnberg, who quite soon
entrusted tax collection to Simon Affleck. Affleck survived in folk
tales as Simo Hurtta. The time of tax tenants always lasted until
years of great hatred, during which power was changed for some years
to the Russians. In the post-Great War period, tax tenants no longer
received a firm grip on the people of Pielisjärvi.
At the end
of the 17th century, Pielisjärvi also suffered from catastrophic
years and the hunger caused by them. They aroused unrest against the
authorities, and the people of Pielisjärvi rose up several times
against Simon Affleck, who they hated in particular.
From the
time after the Great War, the years of the Finnish War in
Pielisjärvi were influenced by two pastors, Jakob Stenius Sr.
(Korpi-Jaakko) (1704–1766) and Jakob Stenius Jr. (Koski-Jaakko)
(1732–1809).
The birth of the current Lieksa
Gradually,
the center of the Pielisjärvi area, Lieksa, became the center of the
whole parish, and Lieksa was formed into a densely populated
community in 1900. The area got its bread from wood and was known as
the center of the logs. Lieksan Sähkö Oy was founded in September
1918 and since the company did not yet have its own electricity
production, it was decided to build its own power plant, for which a
plot of land was leased from Hovila's owner along the Lieksanjoki
river in the area between the church park railway. Electrical energy
was obtained from a generator of less than 40 kW installed behind a
wood-fired steam turbine. The boiler and generator were used but in
“good condition”. In the spring and winter of 1919, the Lieksa homes
that joined the network began to receive electric light as the oil
lamps moved into the corners of the closets. In November 1919, the
company was entered in the Trade Register. The Pankakoski power
plant was completed and commissioned in April 1912.
A bad
fire in 1934 destroyed almost all the old buildings in the city
center. Only a few survived. The construction after the Great Fire
gave rise to the establishment of the Lieksa market in 1936.
The current Lieksa was born when the township of Lieksa and the
municipality of Pielisjärvi merged in 1973. At the same time, Lieksa
was transformed into a city. It was for a long time the largest city
in Finland.