Introduction to Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta, the Climate Capital of Finland, is the home of a sustainable future.
In the Finnish Climate Capital, everything is close by: from high-quality daily services to unique experiences on Lake Saimaa. In Lappeenranta, people are treated as individuals, and the whole community works together. Our building blocks for a sustainable future include child-friendliness, unique science education, a focus on entrepreneurship, and the outstanding higher education institutions LUT and LAB.
Lappeenranta has come a long way from a medieval market town to a pioneer of ecological thinking. Lappee parish was founded already in the 14th century, and its cemetery located in Kauskila is a well-known ancient relic. Settlement began to concentrate in Linnoituksenniemi even then, where the city itself was founded in 1649 during the time of Pietari Brahe and Queen Kristiina.
Due to its geographical location, Lappeenranta has been a battleground between East and West for centuries, but with courage and perseverance, it is today one of the oldest cities in eastern Finland, successful not only in preserving the unique treasures of Saimaa but also in harnessing them for the common good and creating new expertise and well-being.
New and old in harmony
Today, Lappeenranta is a modern international university and tourist city, guided by environmentally friendly values and actions. However, history is always present in Lappeenranta, as the city has grown into the innermost part of Saimaa, and the port, serving for centuries, is located right next to the city center, on the city bay.
The fortress with its ramparts, Cultural Space Nuijamies, Lappeen Marian Church, the Casino, spa, city bay, and downtown form a unique historical entity that blends into modern architecture. New construction takes into account the surrounding old buildings, and land use is planned in a socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable manner, considering the healthiness and safety of the living environment.
City of services
In Lappeenranta, one can rely on the fact that high-quality basic services are available to everyone and easily accessible. It can be said that the clocks of the people of Lappeenranta have more hours because everything is close by: nature, schools, healthcare, culture, and other high-quality everyday services.
Children and young people grow up and build their own understanding of the world in safe and adaptable learning environments in the city. Lappeenranta Junior University paves the way for continuing the learning path in the universities of the Skinnarila campus, which provide ideas and expertise for the needs of the business world. A wide and diverse network of sports facilities, on the other hand, encourages incorporating an active lifestyle into everyday life. Lappeenranta hosts numerous cultural and other events throughout the year. The city theater operates in the downtown shopping center, and the orchestra concerts are held in the Lappeenranta Hall right in the city center.
In Lappeenranta, individuals are met as individuals, but actions are taken as a community. In a child-friendly city, there is a strong culture of doing things together, as children, young people, adults, and local actors and entrepreneurs all participate in building a common home and future. Sustainably and with nature conservation in mind.
Key facts
- In 1649, Queen Christina of Sweden signed the instrument
of foundation for the new town - Developed from a Grand Duchy of Finland camp-town of the late
1800s and a garrison town of an independent Finland into an international university city and tourist destination - Commercial centre of South East Finland
- 13th largest city in Finland and the provincial centre of South East Finland
- Situated along the Southern Shores of Europe’s 4th largest lake, Saimaa
- International, regionally owned airport
- 73 000 inhabitants
- 275 kilometres of cycle tracks