Kostomyuksha Live Webcam — Antikainen Street Online

Kostomyuksha — a city with a Finnish accent

Kostomyuksha is one of the youngest cities in Russia, which was granted city status on April 25, 1983. Half a century ago, dense pine forests, lakes, and swamps covered the site of the modern city. Today, about 26 thousand people live here — it is the second-largest city in Karelia.

The uniqueness of Kostomyuksha lies in the fact that it is the only city in Russia built jointly by the USSR and Finland. Finnish architects designed half of the city — their buildings feature minimalist facades, large windows, and restrained colors. The Soviet half contrasts with distinctive decorative elements — mosaics, bas-reliefs, and balcony ornaments.

Antikainen Street: the history of its name

Antikainen Street is named after a Finnish Red Guard member who, in January 1922, led a ski expedition into the White Finnish rear during the Finnish Civil War. This is one of the streets whose toponymy refers to the city's unique history — there are also Internatsionalnaya Street, 1st Finnish Lane, and Kalevala Street.

The name "Kostomyuksha" has several origin theories. According to one, translated from Karelian "kostamus" and Finnish "kostamo," it means revenge or retribution. According to another, it comes from the Finnish word "kosteus" — dampness, which is explained by the abundance of swamps in the region.

What to see on Antikainen Street

At 13 Antikainen Street is located the Kostomyuksha Museum Center — one of the city's main tourist attractions. Here you can learn how the city was founded, what was mined, and how people lived. Nearby is the Central Library with a rating of 4.7.

Within walking distance of Antikainen Street are the Cultural Development Center "Sreda" (5 Nadezhdy Square), the Cultural and Sports Center "Druzhba" (1 Ploshchad Lenina), and the Youth and Cinema House (14 Sovetskaya Street) with a rating of 5.0.

Kostomyuksha Mining and Processing Plant

The city emerged in 1977 as a settlement during the construction of the mining and processing plant. The first stage of the plant was commissioned in 1982, the second in 1983, and the third in 1984. Today, "Karelsky Okatysh" produces about a third of Russia's iron ore pellets and is part of the Severstal group.

The Kostomyuksha iron ore deposit was discovered back in 1946, but development only began in the 1970s. The plant and the city were built jointly by Soviet and Finnish workers — the Finns addressed the unemployment issue in the Kainuu region, which at that time reached 14%.

Natural attractions around the city

Kostomyuksha is surrounded by pristine forests and crystal-clear lakes. Near Lake Kamennoye is located the Kostomyuksha Nature Reserve, which is part of an international park. The Kalevala National Park is also nearby.

The city is located close to the border with Finland, near the Finnish commune of Kuhmo. This creates a unique border-town atmosphere with European influence.

Cultural life of Kostomyuksha

International festivals are held in Kostomyuksha. Every year at the end of July, the International Chamber Arts Festival takes place, attracting renowned opera and ballet theaters from Moscow and Saint Petersburg. In winter, rock musicians from Russia's Northwest gather for the Nord Session festival. In autumn, the folklore festival "Sampo" is held with the participation of ensembles from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

A monument to Alexei Kosygin and Urho Kekkonen has been erected in the city — a symbol of Soviet-Finnish cooperation.

What you can see on the camera

The webcam in Kostomyuksha shows the intersection of Antikainen and Nadezhdy streets in real time. The online broadcast is conducted from a city interchange and allows you to observe the life of the city — traffic, pedestrians, and the architecture of the Finnish quarter.

The camera is useful for local residents who want to check road congestion, as well as for tourists planning a trip to Kostomyuksha. The live broadcast operates around the clock and gives you the opportunity to see what one of the most unusual cities in Russian Karelia looks like at any time of day.