Saimaa Canal inaugurated

Background. The Saimaa Canal is a transportation route linking Lake Saimaa to the Gulf of Finland. Construction occurred between 1845 and 1856, connecting the cities of Lappeenranta and Viipuri. Both cities were located in the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, at the time of the canal's completion.

Inauguration. The canal was officially opened on 7 September 1856. This event benefited the local economy by opening the vast waterways of Eastern Finland to the sea. The canal begins near Lauritsala, Lappeenranta, and ends in Vyborg, connecting Lake Saimaa and Vyborg Bay.

Route. The canal connects the inland waterways of Finnish Lakeland to the Gulf of Finland. It features eight locks that raise the water level by approximately 76 meters. The upper three locks are in the Finnish part, while the lower five are on the Russian side, reflecting the canal's cross-border nature.