Kesälahti

Kesalahti [ kɛsælɑhti ] (Swedish historically Kesälax ) is a former municipality in the Finnish countryside of northern Karelia. Since 2013, it is a part of the city Kitee.

Geography and population

Kesalahti is south of the eastern Finnish North Karelia landscape on the border with Russia 35 km south-west of the center of Kitee and about 70 kilometers east of Savonlinna. The former municipality of Kesalahti covers 583.1 square miles (of which 195.2 square kilometers inland waters). The landscape is dominated by the two large lakes Puruvesi in the west and in the east Pyhajarvi. Climatically Kesalahti belongs to the catchment area of Lake Ladoga in the Russian part of Karelia, which the climate is relatively mild and sunny. Kesalahti therefore marketed as Aurinkokunta ( " solar community "). The population of the municipality was last 2,326 (as at 31 December 2012).

The only settlement center ( taajama ) in Kesalahti is on an isthmus between the lakes and Puruvesi Pyhajarvi Situated at the state road 6 Kirchdorf Kesalahti, which counts 1,037 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2011). In addition to the former municipality of Kesalahti includes the villages Marjoniemi, Purujärvi, Sarvisalo, Suitsansaari, Totkunniemi, Varmonniemi and Villala.

History

First traces of settlement in Kesalahti date from the Neolithic period 5000 years ago. A court of justice on a rock on the island Sirnitsa 1556 first mentioned. At that time stood Kesalahti under Russian influence; the population belonged to the Orthodox faith. In the Peace of Teusina of 1595, the border between Sweden and Russia was moved eastward, they now proceeded at Kesalahti. 1617 came Kesalahti the Peace of Stolbovo as part of Kexholms longer to Sweden. By 1630 the Lutheran congregation was established. In the following years the Orthodox population was subjected to repression; part converted to the Lutheran faith, part emigrated to Tver and Olonets from. After the Peace of Nystad (1721 ), the Swedish-Russian border ran again in Kesalahti. But the place itself remained on the Swedish side, until 1812 the whole of Finland was under Russian rule. Part of recorded folk poetry, on the basis of Elias Lönnrot created the Finnish national epic Kalevala, collected these in 1828 Kesalahti. By separating the political communities of the Church administration was 1873, the municipality Kesalahti. After Finland became independent in 1917, included the territories east of Kesalahti to Finland. During World War II Kesalahti suffered damage, including burned down the old church of 1830. In their place In 1950, a modern church. The free-standing bell stack of 1770 is obtained. Since Finland was forced to cede 1944 East Karelia to the Soviet Union, Kesalahti is a border town again. At the beginning of 2013, the municipality Kesalahti was incorporated into the city of Kitee.

Traffic

The parallel to the eastern boundary of State Road 6 Kesalahti connects with the south of the country. In addition Kesalahti is connected to the railway line Helsinki - Joensuu. The nearest airport is located in Savonlinna. About the border crossing in the neighboring Värtsilä is possible to enter Russia.

Sons and daughters

• Lauri Silvennoinen (1916-2004), cross-country skiers
• Hemmo Silvennoinen (1932-2002), ski jumpers
• Kauko Laasonen (* 1951), Archer