Kannus is a town of 5,500 inhabitants on River Lestijoki surrounded by marshes. Kannus has an interesting and varied local history from the Stone Age to modern times. Kannus has seen the Pit-Comb Ware culture at Lake Suomusjärvi, a loss of inhabitants after the Iron Age, the status as the largest village in Suur-Lohtaja in the 15th century, the establishment of an ironworks in the 17th century, tar production and rapid growth in the 19th century.
Mäkiraonmäki has several attractions, ranging from a workers' house to the Oskari Tokoi museum, an emigrant museum, a local heritage museum in a granary, a windmill and the Joosepintalo and Topiaantalo buildings. The School Museum operates in a community centre and shows a classroom as it was in the 1930s. The Forest Railway Museum details the village's most important timber transportation. Fifty metres of railway has been recreated in the grounds of the heritage centre with a heritage locomotive.
Visit the restored Petäjä Watermill, with foundations laid in the 17th century and other structures dating back to the 18th century. In the past, there were hundreds of mills along River Lestijoki, but only a few remain.
Come and see the 200-year-old rectory, whose doors have only recently been reopened following restoration work. The windows open out over one of the most beautiful views in Kannus – the landscapes along River Lestijoki.
Galleria Justus, an art gallery in the basement of the town hall, hosts varying art exhibitions and the permanent collection of Justus Sarisalo.
Visit the Koskela power station area, which has a beach, two lean-to huts, a fishing pier, a path leading to the river and a bridge over the canal.
It is impossible to spend holiday in Kannus without going to Anneli's Bar, where time has stood still since the 1960s. Take in the atmosphere of times gone by and get chatting to Anneli, the talkative landlady.
Visit Niskankallio, where you can fish and barbecue while taking in the stunning white-water landscapes. The village of Yli-Kannus has a historical outdoor route through the former log flume in the Korpela dam area. Head towards Himanka for the Mannila Nature Trail. Kannus' roots stretch far back into history – come and experience it yourself.
