The family arrived today. I picked them up from the Kotka-Karhula bus station to the north of Kotka. It was a 130 km drive but it was ok. I got to spend a few hours in the town of Kotka on the sea coast both alone and with the family.
Finland was a Grand Duchy in the Russian Empire between 1809 and 1917. Alexander III had Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge built in 1889. Alexander III was a fishing enthusiast. He wished for a small fishing lodge for him to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the capital of St. Petersburg.
Langinkoski is a branch of the River Kymi. The rapids by which the fishing lodge is located are one of the best places for catching trout in Finland.
This stone is one of the emperor's favorite spots for angling.
This is the lodge itself. As you can see, it is quite modest. Alexander III was an introvert and a lover of peace and quiet. He hated life in the court and all the tedious functions it involved. Alexander III was not a refined man in his manners but a man who loved simplicity. He was 190 cm tall and extremely strong. According to a story he was once on a walk in the vicinity of the fishing lodge when he came across a local woman who was pulling a fishing boat ashore. When the woman noticed the emperor, she did not recognize him and asked him why he was standing around and doing nothing and not helping. Alexander III probably did not understand much Finnish but he understood the request and single-handedly pulled the heavy boat to the shore with ease to the astonishment of the woman.
This is the imperial fishermen's lodge. Trout was required in the imperial court. The court sent three men to catch it. They stayed here. Alexander III would always be fishing when he was here. The empress would make soup out of the fish caught by him.
The lodge is a museum nowadays. I had no time to enter the museum. Perhaps another time and with the family.