Mankala

Mankala tells the story of a landscape transformed by the construction of the power station, where art, history, and paddling still come together. The statue “Pieni Järvineito” stands on Talasvuori, looking out over the landscape around Lake Kettujärvi. Reijo Huttu created the figure in 2017 as a tribute to the lake landscape and the Kymijoki. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Mankala can choose between different focuses, from natural scenery and industrial history to a circular paddling route.

The power station and the transformed rapids landscape

The massive red-brick building of the Mankala power station dominates the striking rapids landscape. At the same time, the transformation of the area is part of its history: the rapids disappeared from view after the power station was completed. The landscape as it appears today is therefore closely tied to the structure. On the river’s south bank, near the power station, there is also a large timber-flume structure. It points to another aspect of how the river was used and adds to the picture of the area’s industrial history.

Southeast of the power station stands a director’s villa dating from the late 19th century. The former trackbed of a narrow-gauge railway is visible on its grounds. The railway once ran along the shore from the power station to a waterfront storehouse. The power station, villa, former railway track, and timber flume each tell a different part of the area’s history; together, they give Mankala more than just a scenic character.

Art and film around Mankala

The rapids also inspired artists and filmmakers. In the late 1910s, Väinö Hämäläinen, Pekka Halonen, and Victor Westerholm captured them in several paintings. K. E. Ståhlberg filmed the rapids for two documentaries. The second was shown in Berlin in 1911 under the title “Finland” as Finland’s first tourist promotional film. For travelers interested in depictions of landscapes, Mankala offers a glimpse of how a particular place was captured in painting and early film.

The film history extends beyond individual works: from 1922 to 1949, Mankala and Vuolenkoski were the main locations for romantic lumberjack films and love dramas. This time span refers to film productions in both places. It is a distinct cultural and historical aspect of the region, separate from the earlier documentaries about the rapids.

Paddling, with clear restrictions at the power station

The “Iitti Ring” circular paddling route follows the Kymijoki from Mankala to the church village of Iitti and back via Vuolenkoski. On the Iitti circular paddling route, paddlers go ashore before the Mankala power station and carry their kayaks overland around the power station on a kayak trolley. Before the dam, to the right after the power line that crosses the road, there is a landing place with a disembarkation ramp and a kayak trolley. The overland transfer is therefore an important part of the route described and should be considered when deciding whether to take the paddling trip.

Particular care is required at the dam. Opening the sluice gates can create a strong suction current. A safety distance of at least 200 metres from the power station must be maintained; paddling in the reservoir is expressly prohibited. These instructions are essential for anyone considering a trip on the Kymijoki. Planning a paddling circuit and staying right by the power station are not the same thing: the route goes around the power station overland, while the reservoir is off-limits.

The landscape as another reason to visit

In the wider region, the Vuolenkoski–Mankala landscape area in Iitti is classified as a regionally valuable landscape area. The Second Salpausselkä ridge is clearly visible in the landscape there. Those interested in the wider landscape as well as local history can include this perspective in their travel plans, without reducing Mankala to the power station alone.

A simple distinction can help when choosing a focus for your holiday: art, film, and architectural traces will particularly appeal to travelers interested in cultural history; the “Iitti Ring” route is for paddlers planning a circular trip that includes an overland transfer. Families can use these interests to decide which experiences matter for their trip, without assuming a particular suitability or access to any individual places.

Other places in the same broader destination area: Verla, Hamina, Kotka, Pyhtää, Jaala, Länsikylä, Kuusankoski, Virolahti.

For the broader travel overview: Kymenlaakso.