Discover Polvijärvi: museums and Lake Höytiäinen

Polvijärvi combines a range of cultural experiences with a striking landscape: at the Talomuseo, you can explore a farm from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while the Esinemuseo comprises several collection areas. The Soitinmuseo focuses specifically on instruments and sheet music. If you would also like to see Lake Höytiäinen, you can enjoy views of it from Huhmarisvaara. You can plan your trip around what interests you most: historic farm buildings, a variety of museum themes, or the landscape.

A historic farm and its outbuildings

The Talomuseo includes a farm with outbuildings and exhibits, as well as, among other buildings, a granary, a blacksmith’s forge, a threshing barn and a windmill. The different types of buildings give the visit a clear focus: rather than looking at just one exhibition room, you can explore a site whose buildings showcase different functions of a farm. The granary, forge and threshing barn stand as distinct features alongside the farm; the windmill is also part of the site. The buildings themselves make this a different kind of cultural experience from the collections at the Esinemuseo or the instruments at the Soitinmuseo.

The Talomuseo’s opening arrangements are important for planning your trip: it is open by appointment only during the summer. If you would like to include a visit to this farm, take both the seasonal restriction and the need to make an appointment into account.

A variety of collections and musical themes

The Esinemuseo comprises four named collection areas: Karnukan village shop, the School Museum, Kameramuseo Linssi and Arabia World. These names alone show that a visit is not limited to a single topic. If you have a range of interests, you can explore the different areas as distinct points of interest, from the village shop and School Museum to the collections named Kameramuseo Linssi and Arabia World. The Esinemuseo is open by appointment, so take this condition into account when planning your visit.

Music and its written tradition are at the heart of the Soitinmuseo’s collection, which includes more than 100 instruments and around 2,000 pieces of sheet music. These figures give an idea of the size of the collection, but do not imply a particular route through the museum or length of visit. Unlike the Esinemuseo, with its several thematic areas, the Soitinmuseo is clearly focused on instruments and sheet music. If you prefer to explore one subject in depth during a museum visit, this collection offers a distinct focus.

A watermill and views of Lake Höytiäinen

Karnukka Mill adds a historic building to the cultural attractions: it is a watermill dating from the 18th century and is probably Polvijärvi’s oldest building. The mill can therefore be considered a distinct historical attraction alongside the farm at the Talomuseo.

A different kind of experience awaits at Huhmarisvaara, north of Huhmari, where you can enjoy impressive views of Lake Höytiäinen. This viewpoint offers a nature experience alongside the museums. When choosing a holiday rental, you can therefore consider what you would like your trip to focus on: historic and varied collections, the watermill, or views of the lake.

More places in the shared destination directory: Kitee, Liperi, Mannervaara, Tohmajärvi, Vuonislahti, Lieksa, Vanhahovi and Ketsu.

For the broader travel overview: North Karelia.