Fun Facts About Kouvola’s Famous Structures

Vol 29, Issue 02, 18 September 2026

If we are talking about Kouvola’s signature structures, it would be a shame to not mention “Pohjoa-talo” at the first place. It is undoubtly the most visible structure at the centre of the Kouvola. It has built for office purposes in late 1970s, when Kouvola is growing rapidly.

When it first built, people proud of it. They thought that it is fancy like a parliament building. But then with the fall of Soviet Union, citizens started not liking it. They found it similar to the Soviet style because of its huge size and modern style architecture. Especially at the social media platforms like Reddit etc.

If you are asking about my opinion, I like it. Because it is one of the most recognizable structures in the Kouvola. It gives this city a character. It is not a negative stuff to have a symbol as a city.

Haitarijazz is a fountain that located middle of the market square of Kouvola. It made of granite and bronze. It is inspired from Kouvola’s accordion and jazz culture. But instead of giving the message directly, architectures choosed to make the structure modernist and mystery. Since its weird shape and unusual vibe, its looking highly exciting to the tourists.

One user on the internet said: “…It is a monument to accordion traditions in Kouvola but the monument itself is a bit too modern for me.”

Though Xamk’s Kouvola campus adapted to modern needing’s of a university of applied sciences, there is a huge history behind its campus buildings.

Back then when Finland was a part of Russian Empire, they decided to build a garrison at Kasarminmäki in 1910. Then Finland gained independence, two world war’s passed and that garrison served. Eventually Kouvola City purchased the area in the 1990s. After purchasing the area, they decided to not to ruin building’s own architecture because its value of past. (Wikipedia, Kasarminmäki)

For my side of view, It was very surprizing to me. When I first found out that the campus which I am studying in, one time it was a military base. And they transformed it to a modern campus.