Toivonen Animal Park, located near the Finnish town of Kokkola, was founded in 1985.
The park is home to about 200 animals, including 20 farm animals, for which excellent conditions have been created. Animals can be touched and photographed with them.
Toivonen Animal Park and the Peasant Museum located here occupy 50 buildings. More than 12,500 exhibits are presented here.
Salamajärvi park
Salamajärvi Park is a national park in Central Finland, located near the town of Perho between Lake Kivipa and Tjelampi. On its territory there are two special rare species wild animals that remained in Finland are wolverine and forest reindeer, bred by shepherds of the northern part of the country. Also the terrain national park covered with swampy meadows, many interesting paths, where you can meet various species of common and northern birds.
The world of flora and fauna in these wild spaces continues to develop and exist peacefully without human intervention. The clean lakes are rich in fish species such as whitefish, trout and grayling, which like to hide in the reeds. The swamps are usually inhabited by cranes, turukhtans, large snails, snipe, ducks, as well as the national birds of Finland - swans. Often people living near the park visit it to mow fresh grass. Sometimes on its territory there are pitch pits and mowers' bathhouses, and in order to preserve nature for tourists, campfire sites with prepared firewood were created.
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Park Toyvoven
Toivonen Park invites visitors to get acquainted with local domestic animals, of which there are about 20 species. Animals for agricultural purposes and, besides being outdoors all day, have their own “houses” for each species.
On the territory of the farm you can see donkeys, rams and sheep, poultry, horses, cows, goats, buffaloes and other animals. The complex is surrounded by a whole park of agricultural machinery samples.
The main building of the complex is considered to be a farm, the building of which was built in 1750. The collection of museum exhibits includes various devices for cultivating the land, hunting, fishing, old-style snares, decorative elements.
Every year, the exhibition hall of the complex hosts various thematic exhibitions dedicated to farming.
After a stroll through the Toivonen Park, guests of the complex can settle down in the village cafe, which is decorated with an old oven.
Toivonen Park is open daily from May to August.
The towns of Kokkola and Pietarsaari are located in western Finland, on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. This is vintage port cities with many interesting architectural monuments and a rich cultural life.
Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport is named after these two closest settlements... It is located near the village of Krunupu, nineteen kilometers from Kokkola and thirty kilometers from Pietarsaari. The airport was opened in 1960, today it carries almost one hundred thousand passengers a year. The main directions for which are open regular flights - Stockholm and Helsinki. The length of the airport runway is two and a half kilometers.
You can get from the airport to the nearest cities by Kokkolan Aluetaksi Oy buses or by taxi. There are car rental offices at the airport.
The most popular attractions in Kokkola with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Kokkola on our website.
Kokkola (Fin. Kokkola, Swede. Karleby) is a city and municipality in Western Finland in the province of Central Ostrobothnia ( Keski-Pohjanmaa). It is located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and is one of the largest port centers in Finland.
History
Kokkola was founded in 1620 by the Swedish king Gustav Adolf II.
In 1765 he received the right to trade with foreign markets.
In the 18th-19th centuries it was a major center for the tar trade and shipbuilding.
In 1854, during the Crimean War, it was attacked by British warships. Locals repulsed the attack by sinking one of the landing boats. The battle killed 9 British, who were buried in Kokkola at the Mariinsky cemetery.
Culture and attractions
Kokkola is a city with a musical tradition, home to the chamber orchestra of Central Ostrobothnia. The city center is called Neristan and is a large area with wooden houses. Not far from it is the KH Renlund Art Gallery, the Historical Museum and the Natural History Museum with a collection of minerals. Also in the city is the town hall, on the facade of which there is the signature of the architect Karl Ludwig Engel. Kokkola hosts an annual football championship among juniors, and in last days August is a Venetian holiday dedicated to the farewell to summer.
In the western part of Finland, right on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, there is the charming town of Kokkola (translated from Finnish - "fire place" or "eagle place"). The population is about 48 thousand people, the distance from Helsinki is 500 km. Due to the remoteness from the border, Russian tourists rarely get here, but in vain, because this small town has an impressive cultural heritage, musical traditions and unique atmosphere.
Kokkola in Finland
Kokkola was founded in 1620 by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf. During the 18-19th centuries. the city was the richest port in Finland and a major center for shipbuilding and trade. Today Kokkola is the financial, cultural and educational center of the Central Ostrobothnia region. In addition to activities related to the sea, light industry, chemical and metalworking industries, and agriculture are flourishing here.
Old city
The area in which it is located Old city, is called Neristan. It is one of the largest and best-preserved monuments of northern wooden architecture. But - no pathos. Surprisingly light, bright houses line the main streets. All of them still perform their direct function, but residents are prohibited from changing the appearance of buildings (for example, installing modern plastic windows). Even the mailboxes are hidden in the courtyards so as not to disturb the whole image of the old city. Among other nice looking houses is the oldest school building in Finland (now a museum).
Museums
The city is rich in museums for every taste. The art gallery bears the name of Karl Renlund - here you can see about fifty works of famous Finnish artists, and you can also see an extensive collection of cameras by local photographer Leo Thorpp. In addition, the museum hosts exhibitions and a variety of educational programs. Nearby is the Lassander house, which is an example of a merchant's life.
You can immerse yourself in the history of rural culture with the help of the Kaarlela Regional Museum Complex. The main museum exposition is located in the stone building of the estate, and in the courtyard there are a smithy, a stable, a bathhouse and some other outbuildings in their unchanged form.
Children will love the Kieppi Natural History Museum. You can also go with them to the VesiVeijari pool and Toivonen mini-zoo (10 km to the north), where you can stroke and feed about 20 species of local fauna.
In the vicinity of the town there is a fishing island and the village of Öja.
You can also visit the island lighthouse of Tankar, where, in addition to the lighthouse itself, there is the Seal Museum and the 18th century Fisherman's Chapel. The local cafe is famous for its salmon soup.
Holiday all year round
It is interesting to see the other side of Kokkola's life, and possibly to participate in person. The town hosts many events throughout the year. In February it is a dance festival. Then comes the time of the spring fair and the May marathon. Not having time to take a break from these holidays, it is time to arrange a summer fair, a fish festival and celebrate the summer solstice with fireworks and feasts. June ends with the major music festival Mustakari in Memories. July is the time for international opera performances, August is dedicated to rock concerts. The summer season ends with a traditional Venetian night festival. With the onset of autumn, of course, there is an autumn fair and another musical event - a two-day blues party.
Transport
Despite the remoteness from the main tourist routes, it is not difficult to get to Kokkola - by train (4 hours from Helsinki) or by plane (the nearest airport, Kokkola-Pietarsaari, is located about 19 km south of the city center).
The historic city of Kokkola is located on west coast The Gulf of Bothnia, almost equidistant from Helsinki and the Arctic Circle. It was founded by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf in 1620. Kokkola became an important shipbuilding center in Finland and the largest resin producer. By the beginning of the 18th century, one of the largest merchant fleets in the country was established here, and at that time Kokkola was the richest city in Finland. Today it remains the provincial capital of Central Ostrobothnia.
Kokkola's rich history is reflected in the city's main museums. The best way get to know her - walk through the old town of Kalle through Neristan, the old wooden district of the city, to the art gallery and museum of Karl Herman Renlund, the historical museum and exhibition hall in the museum quarter and up to Kieppi. The K.H. Renlund Museum contains approximately 40 works from the golden age of Finnish art, as well as a large collection of works by the renowned artist Veikko Vionja and a collection of cameras by photographer Leo Torppa. The oldest secular wooden house in Finland from 1696 is located in the museum quarter: now it is a museum, where you can get acquainted with the navigational history of the city, see miniature models of old ships and an exhibition dedicated to the Battle of Halkokari. Nearby is the Lassander House, which presents the life of a wealthy merchant family from the 18th century, and also hosts exhibitions. In Kieppi you will see the collection of nature protection pioneer Veikko Salkio, which contains examples of almost every species of mammals and birds in Finland. There is also the Viljo Nissinen collection, which offers more than 1,400 different minerals, and the lepidopterist Armas Järvelä, which presents a collection of over 30,000 butterflies, many of which are rare.
Other museums include the Kaarlela Museum of Local History and Culture, which consists of a stone exhibition center, a stable, a workshop and a forge, a steam sauna, a barn and several other buildings that showcase the local peasant culture of the 19th century. The hunting museum is housed in a small wooden hut and a barn and gives you the opportunity to learn about the history of hunting, which has always been an essential element of life in Ostrobothnia from prehistoric times to the present day. The Fire Museum presents to your attention a collection of objects from the early 19th century to the present day, maintained by Kaarlel's volunteer firefighters. In the village of Öja, 15 km from Kokkola, there is a fishing museum. There is a cottage, boat sheds, a steam sauna, nets for fishing, salt and wood sheds - all furnished and equipped according to the tradition of their use. 10 km to the north, there is the Toivonen Zoo and the Peasant Museum, where you can get a glimpse of the rural life of a village in central Ostrobothnia from the beginning of the last century. Children will be able to see and touch up to 20 different animal species in a traditional setting.
Kokkola hosts many events every year, starting with the Kokkolan Talvitansiit, a dance festival in February. This is followed by the Winter Accordion Festival, a week long event that attracts thousands of guests every year. In April, the city comes alive with the arrival of the spring fair, and in May marathon runners gather for the Kokkola city race, which takes place a week before the fish fair. As elsewhere in Finland, Midsummer Day is celebrated in Kokkola with fireworks and parties. June ends with the Mustakari in Memories music festival. In July, the city hosts a prestigious week of opera performances "Kokkola Opera Summer". August ends with the Venetian Night Festival (Venetsialaiset). The annual celebration, marking the end of the country house season, is lit up with fireworks, bonfires, and courtyards and trees decorated with garlands.
Today we will go to the charming Finnish town of Kokkola, located in Western Finland, on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia.
Lots of russian tourists do not get to it because of the distance from the border, but in vain, since this town has the power to take over your heart forever, you just have to see it. It will impress you with its traditions, cultural heritage and amazing atmosphere of kindness and warmth.
In 1620, this city was founded by the Swedish king Gustav Adolph II, and since then the city began to develop and attract attention. The population of the city is about 46 thousand people, who live on an area of \u200b\u200balmost 3,000 km2.
Kokkola is one of the largest port centers in Finland, in addition, it is the center of the chemical industry and shipbuilding. The city is famous for other industries as well - textile, woodworking, plastic. It is located in the center of the Central Ostrobothnia region. The climate here is mild, favorable for living, with warm winters and hot summers.
How to get there?
The distance from Helsinki is 500 kilometers, so the fastest way to get to this city is, of course, by plane. You can also get from Helsinki to Kokkola by train, the trip will take you 4 hours, but it will be comfortable and pleasant.
Well, if you are a lover of the road and adventure, then your option is a car. The roads in Finland are good, the nature is amazing, and traveling to this remote corner can be more than just getting from A to B.
sights
There is an area in Kokkola called Neristan. This is the historical part of the city, which is an interesting monument of northern wooden architecture. All buildings here perform their direct function, but the peculiarity is that residents of the city are forbidden to change appearance of all buildings. There is nothing here that could disturb its historical appearance, this is what makes it different from many other cities. Neristan is a vast part of the city with log houses, which are so unusual to see after the hustle and bustle of a big stone city.
Kokkola has many museums, two theaters and three galleries.
You can visit the Natural History Museum, which displays a collection of minerals. And you can get acquainted with the history of the city, its culture in Historical Museum... The Toivonen Peasant Museum and its animal park will tell you about the peasant life of the inhabitants of the city. The oldest building in the city is a former school that has been turned into a museum. The city is rich in a variety of museums, and everyone will find something interesting for themselves.
The Karl Redlund Art Gallery displays works by Finnish artists. Here, in the gallery, you can visit a variety of thematic programs that tell about interesting areas of activity.
The navigable history of the city can be found in the Museum Quarter, where the secular wooden house of Finland is located, which has now been turned into a museum. Miniature models of ships are kept here.
The Kaarlela Museum of Local History and Culture houses a stone exhibition center, a workshop, a stable and much more.
Among others, the city has a hunting museum, a fire museum, and a fishing museum.
calendar of events
Kokkola hosts a wide variety of festivals and events throughout the year. If you wish, check out the calendar to plan your trip and fill it up with a variety of activities.
For example, in February you can take part in a dance festival called Kokkolan Talvitansii. Winter accordion festival sounds more than attractive, right? If you are interested, come to Kokkola in the second half of February.
Summer in Kokkola begins with a summer fair. It is also customary in the city to celebrate the summer solstice, and at the end of June there is music Festival Mustakari in Memories.
It is worth noting that the city of Kokkola is known as a city with musical traditions. That is why most of the festivals are musical holidays. These are rock festivals, blues parties, and much more.
Active rest and shopping in Kokkola
Of course not a single city, even a small town in Finland, can be imagined without many shops and cafes. Kokkola is no exception.
If you are a sports lover, there are excellent gyms, golf courses and many swimming pools.
The archipelago cruises will be interesting and unusual, and you can also go fishing or just ride a bike and admire beautiful nature.
For those wishing to shop, we recommend visiting the numerous factory shops, as well as antique shops and small shops where you can buy handicrafts. An interesting fact is that this city is famous for its tradition of bargaining, and here you can bargain with vendors to your satisfaction.
Food and leisure
Kokkola, despite the distance from Russia and Helsinki, is enough popular city among tourists. And here all conditions are created for a pleasant pastime and rest. There are many restaurants in Kokkola, differing in cuisine and prices. Here you can taste local pizza and enjoy local delicacies. To do this, we recommend visiting Corner`s Pub or Old Town’s Restaurant.
The location options are also countless. There are 4 good hotel, and - beach hotel, private cottages and parking.
There is always something going on in Kokkola, regardless of the season or weather. This city attracts with its warmth and diversity, so if you decide to go on a trip, remember Kokkola, and there will be no doubts about where to go!
