Imatrankoski Rapids
Experience the foaming rapids
Imatrankoski rapids were formed 5,000 years ago when the land rose after the Ice Age and Lake Saimaa waters tore the Salpauselkä ridge apart. Imatrankoski was a famous tourist attraction already 300 years ago, and at the end of the 19th century, it was considered one of Europe’s most popular attractions. Many famous people visited Imatrankoski at that time and the tourism in Imatra is considered to have begun in 1772 when Empress Catherine II of Russia and her retinue came to admire this magnificent play of the water in the narrow waterway.
Rapids are nowadays blocked by a dam, but during the summer there are daily shows when the dam is opened. The show is a very popular and free event gathering always hundreds of people to see magnificent nature show.
Imatrankoski Rapids is also part of Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark. Read more
