Tar Boat Canal

The tar boat canal on the Kajaaninjoki river is the world’s only active tar canal, which makes it a unique attraction. Next to the canal is Lussitupa, the old lock-keeper’s cottage that was built in 1880.

Tar was one of Finland’s most important export products from the 1500s until late in the 1800s, and Kainuu was Finland’s most important tar region. Tar was transported by narrow tar boats through rivers, lakes and rapids from Kainuu to Oulu, where tar barrels were loaded onto ships to be transported to buyers around Europe.

The large rapids of the Kajaaninjoki river, Koivukoski and Ämmäkoski were the biggest obstacles faced by the tar rowers transporting the tar loads to Oulu. To make this journey run more smoothly, the tar canal was built in 1847.

The tar rowing shows that are organised a few times a year in July and August are popular events. During the rowing shows the canal locks are opened and tar boats row through the canal, just like they did during the years of yore.