Retretti art cave reopens after five-year closure

The Retretti art cave in Punkaharju, Savonlinna, has reopened after a five-year hiatus, with a new light and sound installation by artist Marko Häkkinen on display until the end of August.

Guided tours accommodate up to 25 visitors at a time, with the route through the cave remaining safe despite intentional periods of darkness as part of the artwork’s atmosphere.

Häkkinen’s piece, titled Maan pulssi (Pulse of the Earth), spans 1.3 kilometres of the cave system, supported by roughly two kilometres of cabling. The work aims to provoke reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature. Construction proceeded as planned, though minor challenges arose from the cave’s humidity.

Retretti’s future hinges on a €1 million EU funding decision expected in August. Savonlinna city, which now oversees the site, applied for the grant through the Eastern and Northern Finland support programme. If approved, the city’s share would be around €430,000, with an operator search launching in autumn, according to Juha Turtiainen, head of business services.

“We aim to minimise risk through EU funding and this summer’s exhibition revenue,” Turtiainen said. The city seeks a capable operator to fully utilise the cave’s potential, with profitability a key criterion for sustainable development.

Retretti, a major regional attraction, previously drew visitors alongside Olavinlinna Castle, the Savonlinna Opera Festival, Lake Saimaa, and Kerimäki Church. While 70% of local tourism comes from Finland, 40% of international visitors to the Saimaa region stay in Savonlinna, many of them German-speaking.

The cave last operated in summer 2021, showcasing video art. It entered bankruptcy in 2023 following the death of its then-owner, Kai Mäkelä, after roughly €10 million had been invested in the project.