"With the power of Imatra" - the photo exhibition consists of 80 old black and white photos from Fortum's collections.
On display are many rarely seen photos of the rapids of Imatra and its surroundings from the time before the construction of the power plant until the 1980s.
Organized by the city of Imatra and Fortum in cooperation, the exhibition is placed in a glass-walled container that also serves as a tourist information center. There is always a travel advisor in the glass cube.
The glass container can be found behind Bar & Cafe Kuohu, on the edge of Inkerinaukio.
The exhibition space is open on June 25.6. - 19.8. every day from 12:18 to XNUMX:XNUMX.
Admission to the exhibition is free.
The history of Imatra
About 6000 years ago, a natural upheaval took place in the area of present-day Imatra: the Saimaa waters broke through Salpausselkä. As a result, Vuoksi was born. During the following centuries, the water masses created a gorge-like bed: the rapids of Imatra. The power of the wild roaring rapids was harnessed into an electricity generator, a famous tourist attraction and a means of livelihood for the residents of the nearby area.
The plans for the construction of a hydropower station on the Imatra rapids started in 1921. The first construction phase of the Imatra hydropower plant began the following year and lasted until 1929. The plan at that time covered an area of approximately 5,6 kilometers from Vuösi, from the bottom of Tainionkoski to Imatra. The power plant's first turbines were vertical axis Francis turbines that arrived from Tampere. The third turbine was started in January 1929.
Large factory projects attracted job seekers from all over Finland. Economic development in the Imatra region became more lively and the people at the construction site consisted not only of locals but also of professionals from elsewhere.
Construction of the power plant continued in the 1930s. The expansion of the power plant was completed in 1951 and it became the country's largest hydroelectric plant. In 1990, the share of the Imatra power plant in our country's electricity production was small. Still, the image value of the power plant and its surroundings, Vuoksi and the ponds, has been preserved. The unique Imatra became an interesting travel destination already in the 1800th century for both domestic and foreign travelers. In 1903, the Valtionhotelli was completed near the rapids, which attracted tourists to the area even more. Today's Imatra rapid has reached the status it deserves. The pond and its surroundings are still being developed.
Imatrankoskentie 1
5510 Imatra
Suomi
The exhibition space is open on June 25.6. - 19.8. every day from 12:18 to XNUMX:XNUMX.