SIIKAKOSKI RAPIDS AND JOKIPUISTO PARK (KOTKA)

The Siikakoski rapids area has a long history. The Emperor of Russia, Paul I, gave Siikakoski and Langinkoski’s fishing rights to the Valaam Monastery at Lake Ladoga in 1797, and around thirty monks arrived to establish a Valaam Monastery skete at Siikakoski. A monastery building was built on the Eastern shore, and a chapel on the Munkholma island in the middle of the rapids.

The abundant salmon and whitefish catches of the monks’ fishery at Siikakoski were sold mostly to the fortified town Ruotsinsalmi (Svensksund) and the Kyminlinna fortress. As the state border was moved away from the Kymijoki river in 1809 after the Finnish War, the fortified town of Ruotsinsalmi lost its strategical significance, and people started to leave. The monastery also quieted down. In 1847, the fishing rights were given to the state of Finland, and the monks moved away. The current Villa Munkholma was built at the site of the old monastery building, and today it houses a café.

Koskipuisto park

The Koskipuisto park, a 1.5 kilometre stretch along the Eastern shore of the river, was established in 2020. The park is a versatile nature destination where you can marvel at the rapids of Kymijoki river and the riverside nature. The endangered white-backed woodpecker also lives in the area.

Most shores and all water areas belong to the European Union Natura 2000 network supporting diversity in nature, and the rapids are protected by law. There are also historical military structures in the area. The nature trail and docks are mostly suitable also for the physically challenged. There is also a golf course and an arboretum with almost a hundred different tree species in the area.

Fishing

With its rapids, streams and pools the area is also popular among fishers. There are young salmon and trout in the rapids area, as well as rainbow trout and some grown-up trout. Below the rapids, at the so-called beach pool area, the water is deeper, and salmon and sea trout can be caught here.

Find more

Koskipuisto Kotkan kaupungin sivuilla

Koskipuisto Visit Kotka Hamina -sivustolla

Villa Munkholma Visit Kotka Hamina -sivustolla

Timo Miettinen: Luostari ja lohenpyynti – Siikakosken ja Munkholman historiaa. Kirjassa Olli Immonen: Kotkan Pyhän Nikolaoksen kirkon historia. Kotkan ortodoksinen seurakunta, Pieksämäki 1995

Kymijoen osayleiskaava, luontoselvitykset 2004-2007