Imatran Valtionhotelli

Saimaa Geopark nature and culture site Imatran Valtionhotelli  (State Hotel) is located in the city centre, by the Imatra river. The Jugendlinna was built in 1903 and designed by Usko Nyström. The castle-like hotel has many admirers from home and abroad.

The earliest history of the hotel

The Imatrankoski has been a hotel site since before the establishment of the Valtionhotel. Visitors from Russia and Germany have been attracted to the area not only by the impressive rapids and fishing opportunities, but also by the improved transport links. The wooden hotel buildings that preceded the State Hotel were destroyed by fire in the early 1900s, after which a new hotel was built. The hotel was then called the Grand Hôtel Cascade and its first owner was Petter Müller from St Petersburg.

The Civil War of 1918 drove tourists away and the State Hotel was converted into a war hospital. Between the two world wars, the State Hotel experienced a real heyday, attracting visitors from home and abroad. This was followed by the Second World War, when the hotel was again put to military use, serving as the headquarters of the Kansai Army and, during the Continuation War, as the military administration section of the headquarters.

image: imatra.kuvat.fi, Veera Hakkarainen