Finnish border village marks 30 years of EU easternmost point tourism

Tourists have been driving a 30-kilometre dirt road to Hattuvaara in Ilomantsi for three decades to visit the EU’s easternmost point, marked by a landmark on a small island in the middle of Virmajärvi lake, Yle reports.

A path through the border zone allows visitors to reach the site without the permits once required. The shoreline landmark and observation deck offer views of the remote lake and its island.

The border between Russia and Finland is marked by posts on the island. While not a grand attraction, the site continues to draw a steady stream of visitors.

On a recent day in June, all visitors were first-timers. Jari Rämö and Tuula Rimminaho from Laukaa praised the location as a beautiful destination. Marjukka and Matti Salo from Helsinki, already impressed by Joensuu’s market square, added the easternmost point to their sightseeing list. Leena Mattila and Arto Westman visited while staying with relatives in Ilomantsi and Joensuu.

“It was worth coming here. If only the neighbour on the other side of the border would stay as it has been,” Westman said.

The point in Ilomantsi is further east than Istanbul on the Bosphorus in Turkey.