RESTAURANT JUHANANTUPA

The Juhanantupa (‘John’s Cabin’) is a stately Karelian house, built of solid logs, situated in the idyllic village of Hummovaara, Kesälahti, North Karelia. The building was completed in 1989. It houses an atmospheric café-restaurant well known for delicious food and good service.

In the courtyard area of the Juhanantupa there grows a monumental pine tree, which functions as a landmark for visitors. It was under that tree that Elias Lönnrot, the compiler of Finland’s national epic Kalevala, had a local peasant named Juhana Kainulainen sing old Karelian runes for him in summer 1828. Many of the runes sung by Kainulainen appear in the Kalevala. From Hummovaara, Lönnrot continued his rune-collecting expedition to other parts of Karelia, including Kitee, Tohmajärvi, and Sortavala.

The logs for the building were hand-hewn with an axe. The specialities of the structure include a magnificent stove of natural stone and the arch and powerful figures portraying forest animals and the mythology of the Kalevala carved into both inside and outside structures of the house by Leo Karppanen, a local artist.

In the summer, the Juhanantupa is an atmospheric meeting place and tourist attraction. On all our summer opening days we lay an abundant buffet table, either traditional or modern Karelian, and on weekends it is even more festive. The Juhanantupa is also an excellent place for meetings and private and corporate functions of various sizes.

At the Juhanantupa we arrange public events and thematic seasonal banquets at all times of the year, including Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter.

The Juhanantupa offers tasty Karelian and Eastern Finnish food. It is prepared with a modern approach but with the deepest respect for tradition. The centre stage in the cooking is held by the magnificent natural-stone oven, which will stew our casseroles, hotpots, and pies to a luscious state of succulence. The ingredients are bought from local producers and entrepreneurs to the largest extent possible.

The menus vary greatly with the seasons and current supplies of ingredients. The Juhanantupa is also known for its rye bread and Karelian pasties. We also provide take-out service, preferably ordered in advance.

The Juhanantupa provides for children, too. In the summer, there are domestic animals in the courtyard area, a nature trail, and a play area for children to enjoy.

We wish you warmly welcome.

Timo Holopainen
Master of the House