Editing Kokkola (section)

== Culture and sights ==
[[File:Anders Chydenius statue.jpg|thumb|Statue of [[Anders Chydenius]] (1729–1803) in Kokkola, made by sculptor [[Walter Runeberg]] (1838–1920).]]
The city is the home of the world-renowned [[Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra]], which was founded by the [[conducting|conductor]] Juha Kangas in 1972.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

=== Buildings ===

The area of old wooden houses in the downtown area of [[Neristan]] has been the setting for the life and livelihood of its inhabitants for hundreds of years. Today these houses are offering restaurants, cafés, little shops and even accommodation for tourists. With its old charm it invites visitors to discover Neristan step by step.

Tankar island, a [[lighthouse]] island, is in the outer [[archipelago]], about {{convert|18|km|0|abbr=on}} northwest from Kokkola. The [[island]] houses a [[Tankar Lighthouse|lighthouse]] which is still in use today, a museum of seal-hunting, a bird-watching tower, a lot of nature trails and even accommodations for tourists. It is easy to reach the island by ferry m/s Jenny from Kokkola.

The stone [[Evangelical-Lutheran]] [[Church of Kaarlela]] has been a landmark since 1550 and is a popular venue for weddings and concerts. Next to the church, there is a local history museum at Kirkonmäki with an Ostrobothnian farmhouse, as well as an old smithy, a tannery, a wool-carding workshop, a threshing barn, a smoke sauna, a granary barn and a loft.

K.H.Renlund Museum is devoted to [[Karl Herman Renlund]], who donated his large art collection to the town of Kokkola. The museum houses some temporary exhibitions and the museum shop. Next to the museum is the Pedagogio, a school-house, which is Finland's oldest urban secular wooden building (built in 1696). In this quarter, there is also the Lassander House which offers a glimpse into a merchant home in the 18th century.

=== Sport ===
[[File:Kokkolan keskuskenttä.jpg|thumb|Kokkola sports field]]
During the winter time, Kokkola offers 20 skiing tracks with a total length of {{convert|150|km|0|abbr=on}}. Kokkola is the home of the [[ice hockey]]club [[Kokkolan Hermes|Hermes]], which plays in the second highest Finnish league ([[mestis]]). Moreover, there are the soccer clubs [[Kokkolan Palloveikot]] (KPV), which plays in the second highest Finnish league ([[Ykkönen]]) and [[Gamlakarleby Bollklubb]] (GBK), which plays in the third highest Finnish league ([[Kakkonen]]). Kokkola's volleyball team [[Kokkolan Tiikerit]] is active in the highest Finnish volleyball league and current Finnish champions for men ([[Lentopallon Mestaruusliiga]]). Sailing clubs include [[Gamlakarleby Segelförening]], [[Kokkolan Purjehtijat]] and [[Kokkolan venekerho]]. There is also an american football team [[Karleby Goats]], which plays in the third highest Finnish american football league ([[Amerikkalaisen jalkapallon II-divisioona]]).