The grounds of the imperial fishing lodge cover an area of 28 hectares (about 60 acres). The area and the fishing rights were transfered into the name of emperor Alexander III. The area consists of five small islands in the middle of River Kymi which made it a safe place for the imperial family. Safe was also the sea voyage from the summer palace in Peterhof to Langinkoski. At the outlet of the river there is a sheltered natural harbour which served as an anchorage for the imperial yachts.

Under a decree in 1960 the grounds of the former imperial fishing lodge were declared a nature reserve. There is no charge for entering the nature reserve; with time it has become a popular place for walking.
The Imperial Fishing Lodge and Langinkoski rapids.
The oldest building at Langinkoski is a little Orthodox chapel about 80 years older than the imperial lodge. The chapel was built by the monks in Valaam Monastery which in connection with the coronation of emperor Paul I in 1797 was presented with the fishing rights in two salmon-catching sites along River Kymi.

Upstream from Langinkoski on the banks of Siikakoski the monks built a little branch monastery and at Langinkoski they erected a chapel. At around 1850 the monks gave up fishing in Langinkoski.

The chapel was standing there deserted for many years. However, since the 1970s the Orthodox congregation of Kotka is using it for its summer services. "The Evening of Music and Word at Langinkoski" also has become a tradition; it is held in July.
The Orthodox chapel.
Emperor Alexander III was interested in fishing, but in salmon fishing he participated as an onlooker only. The painting by the Russian artist F. Lagorio shows the emperor smoking a cigar watching his professional Russian fishermen at work.
Active the emperor was angling a carplike fish in River Kymi. He liked outdoor activities and liked to take his youngest children grand duke Michael and grand duchess Olga for long walks. He also went with them into the forest to pick wild blueberries and mushrooms.
Alexander III on the banks of Langinkoski..
A salmon this size was caught in September 1896 in Langinkoski by Aukusti Hintikka, a local fisherman. The weight of the salmon was
35.6 kilos (78 lbs).

The salmons in River Kymi died out because the water got so polluted in the 1940s and 1950s. As the result of stricter legislation and stricter supervision the water grew clean, however, and River Kymi now is the best river for salmon in south Finland.

The fishing at Langinkoski is administered by the National Forest Service. By special permission a maximum of four fly-fishermen at a time are allowed on the imperial side of the river and another four on the opposite side. The biggest salmon in recent years was one of more than 18 kilos (abt. 40 lbs).
The record salmon.
In November 1896, two years after the deaths of emperor Alexander III, a memorial plaque was unveiled. The text runs as follows: "Alexander III, the builder of peace, here enjoyed rest and relaxation sheltered by a faithful nation. The people of Kymi and Kotka erected the monument".

In the chaotic times at the end of 1917 (Finland had become independent and there was a civil war) someone had shot at the plaque and had tried to remove it, without success. The damage has not been repaired; it is considered a memory of that particular phase in Finland's history.
The memorial plaque honouring Alexander III.