By rowing a church boat to Court Rock

Rowing tour by church boat to Court Rock (Käräjäkallio)

Puruvesi is the southernmost large lake in North Karelia and throughout its history, it has belonged to the Tsars, and the kings, or has had no ruler at all. One of Puruvesi's special features is Käräjäkalliot (Court Rock), a small rocky island where the borders of Kesälahti, Kerimäki, and Punkaharju meet. The island has a boundary stone with the year 1769 on it, marking the border between the provinces of Savo and Karelia. Around a boundary stone are smaller stones used as seats by the district court judges. The site was restored in 2001 by a voluntary effort when the seat stones, which had been rolled away in the 1960s, were moved back into place and the parts of the boundary stone that had split in two were joined together. The stones are fixed in place with iron pins.

The Aurora church boat has an atmosphere

The beautifully gliding, wooden Aurora church boat seats 14 rowers, one ship's dog (on the oar's bow seat), and a coxswain. The trips are relaxed rowing excursions, by no means hard racing. You get to know new people with the same spirit, the aim is to find a common rowing rhythm, group dynamics usually develop in a happy direction with a common goal, fitness improves, and nature thanks you.

The coves and the starting harbor

We will meet at Ruoke guest marina (a short distance from Ruoke Holiday Village, about 300-400 m). There is plenty of free parking space next to the guest marina. Please leave your car so that it does not interfere with other traffic. At 14 we start rowing toward Court Rock. There we will go ashore, and explore the island and its history. From the island, you have a good view of Puruvesi. Swimming opportunity. We will spend as much time as the group needs for recreation and take photos and videos as a souvenir. Afterward, we climb back on the boat and row back to Ruoke. The total rowing distance is about 9 km, duration of the tour is about 1,5 hours.

Price and seat reservation

Please choose your departure date when booking, we leave from Ruokke guest marina at 14:00. It is a good idea to arrive at the departure point at least 15 minutes in advance to prepare for the departure. The address of Ruoke guest marina is Ruokkeentie 63 59800 Kesälahti.

The price includes a rowing seat + oar, coxswain's services, buoyancy aids, and company insurance for excursions. Weather reservation. Any cancellations must be notified at least 3 hours before departure by SMS or WhatsApp.

You can pay for your place now here in the online shop or then at the departure dock with cash or a card. If the excursion is canceled due to weather conditions, we will offer a new date to replace it. If it is not suitable, we will refund your money.

A few nice links:

www.lakelandkarelia.fi
www.sydankarjala.fi
https://veneilysaimaa.com/satama/ruokkeen-lomakyla-puruvesi/

Information and reservations Lakeland Karelia Oy:

+358 40 750 2921 Sisko
+358 400 418 933 Taina