Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge

The Langinkoski lodge was built in 1889 on the rapids of the Kymi river for Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna, who came here to fish salmon, and the striking thing about it is how modest it is: a single-storey log building of plain rooms with simple furniture, a kitchen the empress reportedly cooked in herself, and no attempt at grandeur, in deliberate contrast to imperial residences elsewhere. It is kept as a museum with much of the original furniture in place. Around it the river runs over rapids through pine and spruce forest, with paths along both banks, a footbridge and picnic spots, which is as much a reason to come as the building.

What you actually see

• A deliberately plain log lodge - imperial building without grandeur.
• Original furniture in place - the rooms as they were used.
• The Kymi rapids - the salmon water the lodge was built for.
• Riverside forest paths - walking routes along both banks.

When to go

May to September; the museum closes for the winter though the paths stay open. Two hours. Weekends bring local visitors to the picnic areas.

Honest expectations

The museum season is short and the building is closed for much of the year. It is small and the visit is brief. The walk in from the car park takes ten minutes. Interpretation is limited.

Nearby

Kotka is south; the Vellamo maritime centre lies in the town.