Kerimäki is a rural former municipality, now part of Savonlinna. The namesake parish village lies by the lake Puruvesi. Kerimäki is best known for the world's largest wooden church.

Understand

World's largest wooden church

Puruvesi is the eleventh largest lake of Finland, and has exceptionally clear and pure water, as most of its waters get filtered through sand or fall as rain on water. It has 720–850 islands on 416 km², totalling some 10% of its area. It lies between Orivesi and Pihlajavesi and is bisected by Punkaharju. It can be regarded as a bay of Suur-Saimaa, as it is nearly level with Pihlajavesi. Most of Puruvesi is protected as a Natura 2000 area. The endangered Saimaa seal got extinct in the lake in the 1950s but has been returning.

Get in

• 1 Kerimäki bus station. no services. Buses connect to Savonlinna, Kitee, Joensuu and Savonranta. Between Savonlinna and Kerimäki there is frequent service during weekdays. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Kerimäki train stop. Kerimäki train station in Silvola village. It is 14 km from Kerimäki village. Kerimäki Church or village cannot be reached from here without pre-arranged transportation (taxi). (updated Nov 2023)

See

• 1 Kerimäki Church, Hälväntie 1 (buses connect to Kerimäki from Savonlinna), ☏ +358 44 776 8009 (guide), +358 15 576800 (inquiries at other times). Regularly open in summertime. The wooden church of the village is said to be the world's largest. It was built in the mid-19th century to hold 3000 seats or take 5000 to standing. Apparently the pastor thought that it ought to be capable of accommodating half the population at any one time. It now appears inordinately large for the village but, its proportions being immensely pleasing, it's an object of great beauty. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Kerimäki Church shore (Kerimäen kirkkoranta). Idyllic village shore near Kerimäki Church where people from the island villages used arrive by boat in order to go to church in the old times. Old boat and storage sheds remind of the time when water transport often was the main means of moving around. Kirkkoranta is also a marina providing services for visiting leisure boats. There is also a fantastic beach with shallow water and bottom of fine sand suitable for families with small children. Free municipal facilities for washing rugs guarantee that you can also hear the latest gossip from locals gathering here. (updated Nov 2023)

Do

• Fishing is popular due especially to the salmonoid fish. The Arctic char is protected part of the year.
• 1 Hytermä island. A daytrip with a rowing boat to the island of the eccentric local police chief who collected hundreds of mill stones and build a monument of them. It is a nature reserve. The crossing by boat is only a few hundred metres. Check Visit Savonlinna for information about boat rental. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Kerigolf. Kerigolf course is located in a varied forest landscape, which brings certain difficulties and variety into the play. The first-class services meet even the requirements of an experienced player. The golf course, famous for its natural beauty, is individually constructed in every detail. You will meet the symbol of Kerigolf – the bear – several times during your play round. A state-of-the-art restaurant serves you here. (updated Nov 2023)

Eat

• 1 Restaurant Café Kaivopirtti, Hälväntie 1. open during weekdays, daytime. Charming family restaurant with a history of serving village people and tourists for decades. (updated Nov 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Herttua Hotel & Spa, Veneenniementie 64. Hotel and restaurant in Kerimäki with access to Lake Puruvesi and Kerimäki village. (updated Nov 2023)

Go next

• Savonlinna
• Punkaharju
• Savonranta