Imatrankoski Rapids

Imarankoski rapids were formed 5000 year ago, when land rose after the Ice Age and Lake Saimaa waters tore the Salpauselkä ridge apart. Imatrankoski was a famous tourist attraction already 300 hundred years ago, and in the end of 1800 century it was considered as a one of the Europe’s most know attractions. Many famous people visited Imatrankoski that time and the tourism in Imatra is considered to have begun in 1772, when Empress Catherine II of Russia and her retinue came to admire this magnificent play of the water in the narrow waterway.

Rapids are nowadays blocked by a dam, but during the summer there are daily shows, when dam is opened. Show is very popular and free happening gathering always hundreds of people to see magnificent nature show.