Verla Groundwood and Board Mill

The Verla Groundwood and Board Mill is a fine example of the 19th-century industrial environment of Finland's Kymi river valley. Indeed, the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, a witness to its exceptional level of preservation, rarity, and historical significance, earning it a place in the top ten Finnish tourist attractions.

While the first ground wood mill in Verla was built in 1872, the current Verla Groundwood and Board Mill was built in 1882 after the previous one was destroyed by fire. This mill, which was founded by Gottlieb Kreidl and Louis Haenel, lasted until 18 July 1964, when it was closed due to the death of its long-time owner.

Later, the historical paper mill would be converted into a museum of board mill technology, with the machines preserved for the public to explore.

The Verla Groundwood and Board Mill is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and visitors may learn about its history and how it affects the surrounding area. The process of cutting timber and manufacturing pulp is followed on a guided tour of the mill, which includes drying, sorting, and packing paper. These trips are available in Finnish, Swedish, English, German, and Russian, and must be scheduled ahead of time.

A group of magnificent prehistoric rock paintings beside the car park, which are thought to date back to 7000 BC, is located separately but on the same site. You can also stroll through the woods just over the water on the lovely Verla Forest Trail Fiskars Village

Location: Kouvola, Finland