The Saimaa Canal was first built in the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1845-1856 and created a necessary shipping route from Lake Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland.
In 1968, after reconstruction, the canal was reopened for local and international transport of industrial goods and commodities.Its length is 57.3 kilometres and has a capacity of 11,500 different vessels.
The Saimaa Canal Museum started its work in 1995. The basis of the exposition is based on all periods of development of this transport artery of the country. Here are presented models of locks, chief's office, workers' uniforms, historical documents, photographs and models of ships. In one of the halls hangs a large map with marked routes through the Saimaa Canal.
Tourists are offered a water excursion by boat to the Mälki lock, during which it is possible to get acquainted with the commemorative granite signs, installed along the banks and immortalised the names of the builders who made a great contribution to the creation of the canal. During the summer period, the vessels also sail to Vyborg and back.
There is a cafe at the museum's visitors' service.
