Ruotsinpyhtää Forge – Buildings and Sights

History of the area
1 743 The border between Russia and Finland was drawn along the Kymi River. TheSwedish side became Ruotsinpyhtää (Svenska Pyttis or Swedish Pyhtää) and later changed to Strömfors. There are about 3000 inhabitants living in the area today
In 1990 Ruukkialue Oy was established to take care of the buildings and advance tourism in the area.

Pictures
Ruukki area 1     Ruukki area 2

Krouvinmäki
The oldest building in Finland built out of clay. Finished in 1805. Today it functions as the offices for Ruotsinpyhtään Ruukkialue Oy. The clay building was transformed into an inn in 1990.

Ruotsinpyhtaa Church
In the Turku peace treaty in 1743, the Pyhtää county was divided between Russia and Sweden-Finland. The area was left without a church when the original church remained on the Russian side. The new church was finished in 1772. During its history it has burnt down once and rebuilt on the same site. The octagonal shape is quite unusual in Finland.

Saw and mill
In 1768 a saw and mill was built for the local iron forge. Currently the old saw is empty. The old mill functions as a local restaurant.

Firetower
In the old days fire alarms were made from the tower and water was taken from the river near by. Today the building houses artist and artisans.

Stables and barn buildings
The old stables and barn buildings a located near to the main building. They too house artists and artisans.

Lutikkalinna and Sahamäki
Lutikkalinna was built in 1824 and used to be an apartment building and still functions as one. On Sahamäki are located houses from the 18th century, Armonlinna, Fatihuusi and Kuppihuusi which still today function as homes.

Vaasanlinna
Builti in 1806, Vaasanlinna funtioned as a brewery and distillery. The building was renovated in 1947 and is privately owned.

Kukuljärvi Trekking Route
The Kukuljärvi route is a path crossing through the wilderness between Ruotsinpyhtää and Ahvenkoski. It is about 8 km long and crosses ridges, marshes, rocks and lakes with idyllic spots for lighting a fire and resting along the path.

Kukuljärvi web pages

Pictures from the Kukuljärvi path

Savukoski Bridge
The ancient bridge over Savukoski is located on the border of Ruotsinpyhtää and Pyhtää, at Ahvenkoski. The great coastal road from Turku to Viborg crossed the river here since the 14th century. The bridge has preserved well and is a heritage protection site. The old border between Russia and Sweden-Finland followed the Kymi River and it is possible to cross the ancient border there.