127-year-old S/S Saimaa takes to water in June

The Story Map, which tells the history of transport, is now available in Finnish, Swedish and English.

On the map, travellers can find lighthouses, historic routes and the S/S Saimaa heritage ship, said the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency in a press release.

The Story Map, published in the centenary year of Finland’s independence, provides travellers with information on the history of transport in Finland.

“For the coming summer, we will be adding more photos to the map, said Senior Adviser to Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency Jarmo Koistinen.

Lighthouses, historic routes, railways, historic bridges and railway bridges, canals and transport museums... The locations on the map speak of lives lived and of the skill of past generations in building the society. By exploring the map you can discover, for example, the story of the Häme Ox Road (Härkätie) or the Bengtskär lighthouse.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s heritage work involves running several specialist Finnish transport museums, including the road, rail and sea museums and five canal museums. These also include the S/S Saimaa, a 127-year-old museum boat which resides at the Port of Savonlinna.

“As summer approaches, we have some excellent news about this fine old vessel: According to a recent inspection, the boat’s hull is in very good condition.”

“By the second week of June, it will be ready to take to the water. We will be operating the ship once the restrictions allow for this,” said explained, Senior Adviser to Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency Jukka Väisänen.

, the ship was built in 1893 as an inspection vessel for the pilotage districts of Saimaa and Kallavesi. During her long journey, this elegant ship has endured lightning strikes and bombings, but is still proudly cruising atop the Saimaa waves.

“In order for the ship to remain operational, it must get out onto the waters for a short time each summer. “Even [a voyage for] just a few days does her good,” added Väisänen.