Möhkö

Möhkö is the easternmost village in Finland. It is located on the Russian border, 25 km from the Ilomantsi centre. The distance to Joensuu city is approximately 90 kilometers. The word Möhkö comes from the Sámi word meaning river bend. Koitajoki returns from the Russian side to the Finnish side right by Möhkö. The most important rapids of Koitajoki are Anninkoski and Möhkönkoski which are located by the Möhkö village. Some kilometers after Möhkö (Finland’s easternmost village with a rich history of ironworks dating 1850s) the river widens, and gets a form of a beautiful lake by the name “Nuorajärvi”

Summer theatre by the River Koitajoki. Picture by: Lauri Jänis.

Attractions

Möhkö ironworks

Möhkö ironworks was built on the shore of Möhkönkoski in the 1850s. Lake ore was lifted from the lakes, and iron was refined in Ruukki’s blast furnaces. Ruukki was a great employer in the 19th century; at its best, 2000 people were indirectly supported by Rautaruukki. Ruukki ceased operations in 1908, after which lumbering was practised. Today, the Möhkö Ironworks Museum operates in the area.

Möhkö’s uniqueness is found in its buildings, remnants of the ironworks and industrialisation, war history, and beautiful nature. The ruins of blast furnace, massive waterwheel, and unique channels that have been restored tell the stories of Möhkö ironworks. The exhibitions are located in ironworks mansion “Pytinki” and in “Ambari” shop building. Whilst at logging site café “Möhkön Manta” based in an old houseboat, visitors can experience the atmosphere of the logging ages.

If one feels for a short walk, lemmenpolku path offers a cultural path with tranquil experience. The path was constructed in the 1870s as a day-walking promenade by Ms. Amanda Hallberg. The over a hundred-year-old path starts from the yard of the ironworks mansion and leads to the surges of Möhkönkoski rapids.

Möhkö arboretum

Möhkö Arboretum is based on testing how various tree and plant species can coexist in the region. The theme is collection of trees grown by drafting domestic tree species. The most impressive collection in the park is the introduction of special forms of Finnish coniferous trees. So far, the eight hectares area on the Koitajoki peninsula has been planted with 600 trees or shrubs from a total of about 270 species.

Services

Accommodation, Food, Rental services, Guide services

• Kuuksenkaari (B&B)
• Möhkön Manta ja Mantan majatalo
• Möhkön Rajakartano (Apartment Hotel)