Heinävesi is a municipality in North Karelia, in the Finnish Lakeland. The municipality is known for its two religious attractions: the monastery of New Valamo and the Lintula Convent.

Understand

Harbour of Heinävesi

• Heinävesi Tourism information

Get in

The town can be reached by the trains on the line between Joensuu and Pieksämäki (train station 6 km from the center), with some buses between Joensuu and Varkaus as well as by car. If you want to visit New Valamo or Lintula a car may be convenient.

Heinävesi lies by the lake Kermajärvi, part of the Heinävesi route from Savonlinna upstream to Kuopio. Thus Heinävesi is reachable from the oceans by the Saimaa Canal (note draught and height limits if you have a sailing boat). There are cruises between Savonlinna and Kuopio via Heinävesi.

Get around

By taxi

• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Taksi EHT

See

Inside the main church of New Valamo

The main attractions of Heinävesi are located in the northern part of the municipality.

• 1 New Valamo Monastery, Valamontie 42 Uusi-Valamo. The Orthodox Christian monastery founded on the island of Valamo in Ladoga Lake in the 19th century moved to Heinävesi as Valamo was ceded to the Soviet Union after WW2. New Valamo is a good place to see icons and other forms of Orthodox Christian art. In the summer guest rooms are available for those who wish to stay a little longer. 
• 2 Lintula Holy Trinity Convent, Honkasalontie 3, Palokki. The nunnery of the former. 
• 3 Varistaipale Canal, Väyläasemantie 2, Varistaipale. A minor attraction near the monasteries. Finland's only canal with 4 gates. 
• 4 Kermajärvi. National landscape: lake-side scenery in natural state; backwoods 

Do

• Kolovesi National Park, see Savonlinna