Saimaa is a treasure of Eastern Finland known for its beautiful landscapes, lively towns and idyllic villages. Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark brings together Saimaa’s stunning nature sites, charming hiking trails and historic cultural sites, all of which are well worth experiencing when visiting Saimaa. Through breathtaking sites and unique landscapes, Saimaa Geopark tells the story of the birth of Saimaa in a whole new way.
Th ancient bedrock of Lake Saimaa originated at the bottom of the ancient sea around 1,900 million years ago. The bedrock evolved over time; the ancient sea receded, a high mountain range rose above the present-day Lake Saimaa, the rock masses crystallised into gneisses and granites in its depths, and gradually, over millions of years, the mountain range eroded away, leaving only sand on the shores of Lake Saimaa. The broken base of the mountain range is still visible as a mosaic-like landscape, alternating between water, rocky and terrestrial areas.
