Valtionhotelli

Imatra, Finland

The Imatrankoski Rapids has been a famous tourist sight since the 18th century. For example Catherine the Great, the Empress of All the Russias, visited Imatra in July 1772. In 1892 the railway came to Imatra, which immediately shortened the journey from St. Petersburg and increased the influx of tourists. There were originally two wooden hotels used by Russian aristocracy, but but they had been destroyed in fires in the beginning of the 20th century.

The Grand Hotel Cascade d'Imatra (Valtionhotelli in Finnish) was opened in 1903. The huge jugend style castel hotel was designed by Usko Nyström and it represents the romantic medieval knight castle style (like the Neuschwanstein castle in Germany).

After Finland's independence in 1917, the Russians found themselves barred from crossing the border and the remote location of the Imatrankoski Rapids near the Russian border no longer held any attraction to Finnish tourists. The 1920s saw the construction of the Imatrankoski power station; after that, the rapids were allowed to surge free only for special shows.

Valtionhotelli was renovated to the original outfit in 1987. Today it functions as a Spa Hotel owned by Restel Oy.

Reference: Imatra Municipality

Comments

Your name


Address

Torkkelinkatu 1, Imatra, Finland
See all sites in Imatra

Details

Founded: 1903
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Finland
Historical period: Russian Grand Duchy (Finland)

More Information

www.rantasipi.fi
kanava.etela-karjala.fi

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Vyborg Castle (50,5 km)
St. Hyacinth's Church (50,6 km)
Vyborg Old Cathedral (50,7 km)
Vyborg Library (51,2 km)
Mon Repos (48,3 km)
Raatitorni (51 km)
The Church Hill (13,2 km)
The Church of the Three Crosses (8,8 km)
Border Museum (10,4 km)

User Reviews

Mikko Manninen (8 months ago)
Historic and very comfy hotel next to Central of Imatra. Hotel has very colorful history and differs from other hotels with its architectural side. To be noted that people with physical disabilities might have troubles due stairs. Staff at hotel & restaurant are very friendly and helpful.
Philipp Schmidt-Thome (8 months ago)
Outstanding architecture, cozy atmosphere, very friendly service and a good restaurant
Ville Rinne (10 months ago)
This is the best hotel in the town! The hotel consists of two parts: the historic castle and a newer conference centre. Both are connected by a tunnel for easy access. Absolutely beautiful setting right next to Imatrankoski - a river with dam that in the summer time is overflown each day. Also the town centre is just hundred metres from the hotel. Rooms are welll designed and have all amenities you need for a comfortable stay. There is a good restaurant on the premises as well as a small lobby bar. If you are planning to visit Imatra, this is the hotel to book.
Josefina Martín Gaspar (2 years ago)
Next to Vuoksi river, former kings lodgings for leisure time.A must
Toni (2 years ago)
cool and beautiful from the outside. inside is a mystery to me
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Migthy Cathar Castles
Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.

Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
© 2023 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.