Savonlinna, Finland. Savonlinna is a small Venice in Finland. Life of the besieged in the fortress
Saimaa is one of the largest European lakes and is deservedly considered the pearl of Finland.
It’s hard to imagine, but the area of this lake is equal to the area of the whole of Belgium. On the shores of this lake there are cities such as Lappenranti, Imatra, Joutseno, Mikkeli, which in the past were small fishing villages. By the way, fishing here may appeal not only to avid fishermen, but also to those who don’t pick up a fishing rod very often. After all, in the waters of the lake you can not only fish for salmon, but also see a very rare animal - the Saiman seal. This animal, to some extent, even became a symbol of Finland.
The lake is surrounded by beautiful pine forests and washes the shores of the Kolovesi National Nature Reserve, which is home to moose, otters, badgers, foxes and even lynxes. The rich flora and fauna prove how good the ecology is in these places.
Kolovesi National Park
Kolovesi National Park is a real paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. People come here with tents and backpacks to fully enjoy the beauty of Finnish nature. And there is a lot to enjoy: Kolovesi is part of the huge lake system of Saimaa, with a gorgeous centuries-old forest and rocky hills.
Kolovesi Park was founded in 1990, and today covers an area of 23 square kilometers. The park includes several islands, the best way to move between them is by kayak. Traveling through this fabulous place may take from 2 to 5 days, but the memory of it will remain forever.
You will be especially lucky to see the Saimaa ringed seal. This animal is listed in the Red Book and needs special protection.
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Museum of Old Ships
The museum is also the largest owner of steamships in Finland. In the summer, unique steamships are open: the steam tug Ahkera (1871), the steam schooner Salama (1874), the passenger steamer Savonlinna (1904) and the world's only tar barge Mikko, located on the museum pier.
Construction of the Olavinlinna fortress began in 1475 to protect the strategically important territory of the Savo region. The founder of the fortress is the Danish knight Erik Axelsson Tott. The fortress was built to strengthen the troubled border between Russia and Finland, which was part of Sweden at that time. The task of the fortress was to repel attacks by the Novgorodians and ensure the security of the border territories of a strategically important region belonging to the Swedes.
The Olavinlinna fortress was the property of the Russians and the Swedes many times. Both sides contributed to the construction. In the 18th century, the commandant of the fortress was the Russian commander A. Suvorov, he also supervised the reconstruction work.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the fortress began to be used as a concert venue - the first concert took place in 1912. In 1965, the tradition of opera festivals in Savonlinna was revived, and they are now held every summer. The voices of artists from all over the world can be heard on the stage of the medieval fortress. It is the largest cultural event in Finland, attracting many visitors to the country.
The Olavinlinna Fortress is the main attraction of the city of Savonlinna. Its doors are open to visitors all year round.
Mount Linnavuori
A sheer cliff 55 meters high rises above the shore of Pisamalahti Bay. This is Mount Linnavuori, whose name means fortress mountain in Finnish. Having covered a path of eight kilometers from Sulkava, walking along a forest path, you find yourself at the foot of the mountain.
The path up begins along a man-made staircase, which turns closer to the top into a staircase formed by tree roots and stones. At the top of Mount Linnavuori, stone ramparts will appear - the remains of a thousand-year-old fortress, protecting the ancient Karelians at that time.
This is one of the ancient buildings of Finland, which is known throughout the world. It rises above part of the Saimaa lake system - the Enonvesi water basin. Pleasure boats and ships sway on its water surface at the pier. Standing on the top of the mountain, you admire the most beautiful views of the Finnish landscape.
Savonlinna Cathedral
Savonlinna Cathedral is the city's main cathedral, built in 1878.
The cathedral was built according to the design of the architect A.Kh. Dahlstrom. Its construction began in 1874. The order to build the cathedral was given by Governor Alexander Teslef back in 1850.
The cathedral was built in the neo-Gothic style. The cathedral acquired the status of a cathedral in 1896. In 1925, the bishopric was moved to Vyborg, but the church retained the name “cathedral”.
Unfortunately, during the Winter War the cathedral suffered and was virtually destroyed after bombing. Restoration work began after the end of World War II, in 1947. A year later the cathedral was restored.
Small Church of Savonlinna
The Small Church of Savonlinna was originally Orthodox and was built in 1846.
The church was built according to the design of the architect L.T.I. Visconti. The order for construction came from an Orthodox church parish. It was consecrated in honor of the holy prophet Zechariah and righteous Elizabeth.
In 1938, the church was bought by a Lutheran parish. Initially, they wanted to demolish the building, but after the city's Cathedral was destroyed by bombing during the Winter War, the church temporarily took its place.
Olanvilina Castle
Olanvilina Castle, located on a lake near the Finnish city of Savonlinna, was conceived in 1475 by a knight named Erik Axelsson Tott as a fortress capable of resisting gunfire.
The first name of the Nyslott fortress is translated as “New Castle”.
Over the course of several centuries, during the wars for the territory of Finland, the fortress passed from the Russians to the Swedes and back. All this left an imprint on its architecture. The large tower for the cannons in the courtyard was built by the Swedes, the bastion circle was built by the Russians.
Currently, Olanwillina Castle offers two main exhibitions, one of which presents artifacts found during excavations on the castle grounds, and the second introduces Orthodox icons and other religious objects from Finland and Russia.
Every summer since 1992, the Savonlinna Opera Festival takes place near the castle walls.
Linnankatu street
Linnankatu Street is the oldest street in the city of Savonlinna. The name of the street is translated as "Castle", and in the old days it was called "Ratsastustie", which means "Horse Road". Linnankatu is part of the Great Road SuuriSavontie, leading from the city of Hämeenlinna to the Olavinlinna fortress. At the dawn of its history, the main inhabitants of the small street Linnankatu were the artisans of the Olavinlinna fortress. These days it is a luxurious, elite area of the city.
Almost all the ancient architecture of the city is located on Linnankatu Street. It has preserved the classic buildings of the Finnish province of the 19th century, spread over several blocks. These are small houses with porches located on both sides of the street, fenced off from the pavement lined with untreated stone - cobblestones, and cute little fences. Walking along Linnankatu towards the castle, you can admire the ancient buildings and take great photographs.
Satamapuistonkatu street
Satamapuistonkatu Street, located in the Finnish city of Savonlinna, is always full of people. This is due to the fact that a very short street, the length of which is about 250 meters, is located on the shore of the Haapasalmi Strait, not far from a small pier, which is the starting point of the city's tourist water routes.
Along the street you can see small cruise ships and private yachts. Local residents and city guests love to stroll along the quiet street, and they can always have lunch in two small cozy cafes located on it.
Savonlinna Airport
Savonlinna is a small resort town located among many lakes in eastern Finland. The city attracts tourists primarily with its annual opera festival, which is held in the medieval Swedish fortress Olavinlinna, built on an island near Savonlinna.
Savonlinna Airport is located fifteen kilometers north of the city. Like other airports in Finland, it is operated by Finavia. Built in 1973, the airport today receives about fourteen thousand passengers a year. Peak passenger traffic occurs during the opera festival. At this time, guests of Savonlinna at the airport are greeted by live piano music and a singer performing opera arias.
Regular flights from the Finnish capital arrive in Sanvolinna. You can get from the airport to the city by Jä rvi-Suomen taksipalvelu Oy buses, as well as by taxi. There are car rental offices at the airport.
Olavinkatu street
Olavinkatu Street is one of the largest streets in the city of Savonlinna, where many boutiques, cafes, and exhibition halls are located. One of the largest chain stores of clothing, shoes and accessories is located here - the Sokos store. The store provides products from Finnish and foreign manufacturers. Also on this street there is a Seppl store with a wide selection of fashionable clothes for men, women and children. Lindex chain boutique, KappAhl chain store, Jim and Jill stylish youth and teenage clothing store, Dressmann chain store - this is not a complete list of shops on Olavinkatu Street.
The eastern part of the street, as it were, contrasts itself with the rest of the street - here, unlike the rest of the territory, it is not modernity that reigns, but antiquity. The eastern part of the street has preserved the wooden buildings of the nineteenth century, and here you can really feel the atmosphere of the last century. Pizzeria Capero is located here - the oldest pizzeria in Finland.
The most popular attractions in Savonlinna with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Savonlinna on our website.
Savonlinna
Savonlinna Guide, Tours and Holidays in Savonlinna
A paradise for nature lovers or the ultimate destination for culture lovers? We will say everything together! Savonlinna is located near the Kolovesi and Linnansaari National Parks in the center of Finland's largest lake system; The protected Saimaa seal, white-backed woodpecker and corncrake live here. This is one of the cities for lovers of nature and outdoor recreation. Savonlinna hosts one of the world's most famous opera festivals every year, with performances taking place in an incredible medieval castle. Music lovers from all over the world have been coming here for almost 100 years.
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Savonlinna has good transport connections: Finnair flies here from Helsinki, Mikkeli and Varkaus. There are also regular buses from Helsinki, Kuopio and other cities, and trains from Helsinki, although you have to change trains in Parikkala. For tourists, perhaps a more convenient option is to come by ferry from Punkaharju or Kuopio and enjoy the beauty of the water landscapes, canals and locks. The ferry stops along the way at Oravi, Heinävesi, Karvio Canal and Palokki, among others.
Savonlinna attractions
The wonderful city of Savonlinna is located on four islands between lakes Haapavesi and Pihlajavesi. For many years it has been one of the most visited cities in Finland. Steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the city has become famous for its popular opera festival held every July and the impressive medieval castle in which the festival is held. Construction of Olavinlinna Castle began in 1475 on what was then the border between the Swedish and Russian territories of Finland. By 1639, Savonlinna received city rights by the grace of Count Per Brahe the Younger. The city began to flourish in 1856, when the Saim Canal was built. To this day the city continues to be a shipping center for the Saimaa region, especially since 1968 when the route to the Baltic Sea was reopened.
Construction of Olavinlinna Castle began in 1475 on the then border of Russia and Sweden, under whose control Finland was, and in 1639 Savonlinna received city status thanks to Count Per Brahe the Younger. The city began to truly flourish starting in 1856, when the Saimaa Canal was created. To this day, Savonlinna continues to be the shipping center of the Saimaa region, especially since 1968 when the route to the Baltic Sea was restored.
Savonlinna gained fame as a resort town back in the 19th century, when wealthy travelers from St. Petersburg and other places began to flock here, largely thanks to Olavinlinna Castle, Kasinosaari Spa and the white passenger ships that sailed from the cities located along the shores of the lake Saima. The first Opera Festival was held in 1912, and since then it has continued to attract visitors from all over the world. Today Savonlinna is one of Finland's most vibrant cities, with a rich mixture of cultural, industrial and educational influences and a population of approximately 30,000 inhabitants.
Savonlinna has a lot to offer, whether you are looking for a relaxing break from the bustle of the city - time and invigoration in the spa, enriching cultural and historical experiences - or something more energetic, such as cycling, hiking, kayaking, canoeing or even diving. In fact, there is so much to see and do here that many tourists return again and again!
Olavinlinna Castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Scandinavia. It houses two museums that present its history and a rich collection of traditional artifacts. Near the museums are anchored three beautiful historic ships, Mikko, Salama and Savonlinna, each with its own exhibitions. The castle's courtyard is each year home to the world-famous Opera Festival, where throughout July every year opera performances attract thousands of spectators and are among the best in the world.
Savonlinna is an ideal destination for cruises that depart from the busy harbour. You can choose a short tour around the castle or much longer boat trips around the archipelago. The Lake Saimaa archipelago is also home to the rare Saimaa seal, one of the endangered seal species. Less than 300 individuals of this beautiful animal have survived, most of them live in lakes Pihlavesi, Haukivesi and Joutenvesi. The Savonlinna region is also home to two other protected species: the white-backed woodpecker and the corncrake.
Lovers of outdoor activities will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of choices. There are two national parks, Kolovesi and Linnansaari, which are great for walking and cycling and are located in the heart of Finland's largest lake system. You can also enjoy a variety of water sports, with excellent fishing and kayaking in the summer and ice skating and ice fishing in the winter.
Finally, it is simply necessary to mention the very unusual Mobile Phone Throwing competition, which was first held here in 2000. Here hundreds of participants from all over the world compete in several categories, one of which is specially created for children under 12 years old! The 2011 event is scheduled for August.
Finland. Fortress in Savonlinna.
Savonlinna from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Savonlinna.
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Savonlinna is sometimes called the “Finnish Venice”. This is due to the fact that slightly less than half of its entire territory is occupied by rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. They are connected by bridges, you can take ferries along the rivers, and one of the most beautiful places in the city is the Punkaharju ridge. This unique natural phenomenon has remained here since the Ice Age: 7 km of a narrow strip of land covered with spruce forest, on both sides of which there are clean and very beautiful lakes.
When a hotel with a bathhouse was first opened in Savonlinna, wealthy St. Petersburg residents began to come here. Today, many budget hotels have been built here, and you don’t have to be very rich to look at the ancient Olavinlinna castle, stave churches and the beautiful nature of this Finnish city.
How to get to Savonlinna
The easiest way to get to Savonlinna is from St. Petersburg via Helsinki, since communications between the two cities are very well established.
From the Helsinki-Vantaa air hub to the railway station of the Finnish capital, trains run every 30 minutes and buses every 20 minutes, the journey takes half an hour. Train ticket prices: 35-51 EUR, bus tickets: 49-75 EUR. A taxi ride will cost 60-110 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
An alternative way is to take a cruise ferry to Helsinki. The ship sails several times a week, tickets cost from 65 EUR.
Search for flights to Helsinki (the nearest airport to Savonlinna)
By bus
There is a regular bus service between St. Petersburg and Savonlinna. Several carriers offer services: Sapsantrans (office site), BusToFinland (office site), Eurocar (office site), many even pick up passengers at their addresses. In some cases, transport is sent only if the number of passengers is more than 4; it is often necessary to make a reservation. Travel time is 5 hours, ticket prices start from 44 EUR.
Travel agencies organize 1-2-day trips with visits to attractions along the way, shops and a boat trip.
There are also buses from Helsinki to Savonlinna. Direct flights are offered by the carriers Onni Bus (office site in English) and Savonlinja (office site in English). Travel time is 4-5 hours, tickets start from 12.70 EUR.
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By train
There is no direct train connection between St. Petersburg and Savonlinna. Direct trains depart from the Finlyandsky and Ladozhsky railway stations several times a day to Helsinki (the journey takes 27 hours, tickets start from 70 EUR). In the Finnish capital it will be possible to buy a ticket for a train going to a place with a transfer in Parikkala. All transportation is carried out by Finnish Railways (office site in English). The total travel time is the same 5 hours.
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A little history
The history of Savonlinna, the oldest settlement in Finland, is closely connected with the history of another fortress - Olavinlinna, founded by the Swedes in 1475. In 1534, the walls of the structure were renewed and the fortifications were strengthened, and it became the center of the province of Savo. In 1639, Savonlinna received the status of a city, followed by wars, dramatic sieges, changes of rulers, and in 1811 annexation to Finland.
Since 1475, the Olavinlinna fortress has stood in the city. In the old days, it served as a Swedish border outpost. Its powerful walls have seen a lot; they look very stern and mysterious. This did not prevent the fortress from occupying an important place in the cultural life of Finland: since 1912, it has hosted annual international opera festivals, bringing together participants from different European countries.
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Savonlinna Hotels
Savonlinna has a large number of hotels of different categories: from simple rural cottages to five-star complexes, apartments and bed and breakfasts are also available. You can stay in the city itself or in the surrounding area.
A standard double room in the family hotel Lomamokkila 4* costs from 75 EUR. A room in the budget Summer Hotel Vuorilinna 2* will cost at least 65 EUR in the warm season (this option is often chosen by students). If you try, you can find a small wooden house by the lake for 45-50 EUR per day, designed for 5-6 people.
The shops
People come to Savonlinna not only to relax in the lap of nature or go sightseeing - travelers from Russia and throughout Scandinavia have long appreciated the assortment in local stores.
For Finnish-made clothing, you should go to the chain Sokos and Seppala, gourmet meats and cheeses (both Finnish and foreign) are presented in large quantities in the Akselinpoika farm supermarket, for low prices and excellent quality you need to go to the German Lidl, where they sell food, electronics, household goods and toys.
An excellent, albeit short-lived reminder of the trip will be the sweet and salty delicacy “Salmiakki”, Lapponia wild berry liqueurs and delicious fish products, which are prepared with special skill in Finland.
It is also worth checking out the Taitoshop souvenir shop (address: Puistokatu 7), located in a building dating back to 1895.
Entertainment and attractions in Savonlinna
Despite its small size, Savonlinna has something to offer even bored tourists. The town looks like the whole of Northern Europe in miniature: there is an ancient castle, cathedrals, cobbled streets, and wooden town houses.
The city Dome Cathedral (Pappilankatu, 8) was badly damaged during the war; in the 90s of the last century it was repaired, restored and equipped with a new 45-voice organ. From June 6 to August 21, the cathedral is open to the public daily from 11:00 to 19:00, and at other times of the year - during services, which take place on Sundays at 10:00, and during church music concerts, which are held on Wednesdays At 12:00.
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Linnacatu street
The role of a tourist promenade in Savonlinna is played by Linnakatu Street. In the 18th century, it was central to the city; houses built in the 19th century have been preserved on it, which allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of former life, and numerous boutiques of famous brands, cozy cafes and souvenir shops remind you that this is the 21st century with its problems, rules and traditions.
On the same street there are several exhibition halls offering to get acquainted with the creations of modern Finnish designers, usually somewhat original, but considered throughout the world as an example of functionality and a modern approach to the art of design.
The two most notable buildings on the street are house number 27, the oldest wooden building in the city (1820), and house number 32, the first stone structure, 1910.
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To add summer excitement to the rather harsh climate of this region, you can visit the Kesämaa water park.
Savonlinna Fortress
The fortress and its two museums, which have an extensive collection of weapons and art treasures, are open to the public all year round (office site). It is interesting that some premises of the fortress are rented out for meetings and symposiums, and it is quite funny to see in the ancient halls presentations of projects and works devoted to modern problems in the development of information and communication technologies, the use of the latest methods of processing raw materials or the creation of new vehicles. Entrance: 10 EUR, children from 7 to 17 years old - 5 EUR, under 7 years old - free.
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Museums
The doors of the city museums are also open to guests. First of all, these are the Museum of Local Lore and the Fishing Museum. Moreover, the first is located on the island of Riihisaari, in a building from 1852, which was originally used as a grain barn. Their collections contain many interesting documents and curious exhibits, which will help to better understand the peculiarities of life in the region. Another interesting museum stores more than 2000 exhibits, and all of them are dolls. Unique porcelain beauties made back in the 18th century and modern long-legged plastic creatures are striking in their dissimilarity and suggest that there is something mysterious about the dolls.
Savonlinna
Surroundings of Savonlinna
A visit to the surrounding area of Savonlinna will give you a more complete picture of life in this region of Finland. Tourists here will find not only amazingly beautiful coastal landscapes, but also a wide variety of natural and man-made attractions.
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Wooden church
20 km from Savonlinna stands the largest wooden church in the world, accommodating up to 3,000 people. It was built in 1847 and is still in use. The church can be visited daily from June to August, and in other months it is open by reservation for groups. Sunday Mass traditionally takes place on Sundays at 10:00.
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Linnansaari Park
Linnansaari Park is located 47 km from Savonlinna (office site in English). There are more than a hundred islands on its territory of 3,600 hectares. Many species of animals live here, and the pride of the park is the Saimaa seal, the population of which is only about 250 in the world. Linnansaari Island has marked hiking trails and a campsite where you can pitch tents.
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Punkaharja Ridge
The Punkaharja ridge occupies a special place in the list of natural attractions of the region. It was formed during the Ice Age and is a narrow strip of land about 7 km long between two lakes - Puruvesi and Pihlajavesi. From the beginning of the 19th century, the ridge became a favorite vacation spot for the Finnish nobility and wealthy residents of St. Petersburg. Much water has passed under the bridge since then, many political events have passed, but interest in Punkhakarya is still great. Here, in addition to stunning landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, tourists will find marked routes and everything they need for accommodation and relaxation.
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Water park "Kesämaa"
And to add summer excitement to the rather harsh climate of this region, you can visit the Kesämaa water park. There are not only standard water attractions, but also artificial reservoirs for boat rowing, a swimming pool, cafes, and shops. The park is open from June 6 to June 18 daily from 12:00 to 17:00; from June 19 to August 1 daily from 10:00 to 17:00; from August 2 to August 15 daily from 12:00 to 17:00. Ticket price from 6 to 18 June and from 2 to 15 August: 16 EUR, and from 19 June to 1 August - 18 EUR. A family ticket costs 59 EUR, pensioners - 8 EUR, evening ticket (from 16:00 to 19:00) - 14 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
Estate "Rauhalinna"
The literally “lace” mansion was built at the very beginning of the 20th century as a silver wedding gift. Tsarist army officer General Nils Beckmann gave it to his beloved wife Alma. The fairy-tale manor can be visited in the town of Lehtiniemi, 16 km from Savonlinna.
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Festival in Savonlinna
One of the key events in the city is the International Opera Festival, held on the territory of Olavinlinna (the first Swedish fortress) since 1912 every summer in July-August. Throughout the month, the best performers come to Savonlinna to delight the audience with their skills. The concerts feature Finnish works based on the folk epic "Kalevala", recognized masterpieces of world classics and works by little-known composers. Sometimes the organizers delight the public with unexpected premieres.
Opera Festival in Savonlinna
Weather
The best time to visit the resort is June-August and the entire winter period from December to March, when the surrounding forests are covered with an even white cover. In the off-season it can rain continuously here, although even in such bleak weather there will be something to occupy yourself with. Sometimes in the first half of September there are several sunny and fairly warm days - at this time there is an opportunity to fully enjoy the beauty of the transparent surface of the lakes and the greenery of the forests that have not yet begun to fade.
Whatever route you choose for your first acquaintance with the sights of Savonlinna, stock up on comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk a lot. This small city has many memorable places. And when you have walked around the whole of Savonlinna, we will tell you about interesting places in the Savonlinna area.
Olavinlinna Castle Fortress
The famous medieval Olavinlinna castle fortress is the number one attraction not only in the Savo region, but throughout Finland. The fortress, founded in 1475 by Erik Axelson Tott on the Russian-Swedish border, played an important role in the confrontation between Sweden and Muscovy, and then the Russian Empire. It changed hands several times, was rebuilt, and ultimately became a cultural and tourist attraction and the venue for the annual opera festival.
In addition, there are two small museums in the fortress - History of the fortress and the Orthodox Museum. You can get acquainted with their exhibits and stroll through the courtyards without a guide during the fortress’s opening hours (restrictions are possible from April to September).
In addition, the fortress has several exhibitions that successfully complement the stories of the guides. For example, 3D printed models of the fortress show what Olavinlinna looked like in different periods. The presentation film answers the question of what it was like to live in the fortress under these difficult conditions. Some museum exhibits can be touched, which is important for people who have vision problems. The permanent exhibition space is accessible to people in a wheelchair or with a rollator.
Exhibition stands are located in the interior, in the courtyards of the fortress and on cannon platforms. "If Walls Could Talk" which contain documentary drawings of the fortress, engravings by Olaf Magnus from the “History of the Northern Peoples”, archaeological finds from the fortress, including texts in Russian. You can familiarize yourself with them in the courtyards and interior of the fortress. The museum store presents a publication that contains all the information from the exhibition stands and souvenirs.
In the hall of the little duke Children enjoy trying on old clothes, making their own castle out of parts, setting the table as they did in the Middle Ages, and much more. A visit to the Little Duke's Hall is included in the admission price.
Days and hours of operation of the fortress in 2018:
January 2 – May 31: weekdays from 10 to 16; weekends - from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 15 – December 16: weekdays from 10 to 16; weekends - from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In 2018, Olavinlinna Fortress is closed on the following days:
January 1 - New Year; March 30 – Good Friday; April 1 – 2 – Easter; May 1 – May Day; December 17 – January 1, 2019 - Christmas holidays.
Ticket price: adults - 10 euros; preferential (students, pensioners, including Russians) and groups of over 10 people) - 8 euros; children (7-17 years old) - 5 euros; family ticket (2 adults and 1-4 children) - 22 euros; children under 7 years old: free/
Joint ticket to Olavinlinna and Riihisaari Center – 12 euros.
Riihisaari Local History Museum
To the right of the Olavinlinna fortress, on the Riihisaari peninsula, there is a massive red brick building built in 1852 according to the design of the architect Ernst Bernard Lohrmann. Initially, this room housed a grain barn. In the early 80s of the last century, the building was restored and converted into a local history museum, which was previously located in the fortress. Nowadays it houses the Riihisaari City Exhibition Centre, which includes a local history museum, permanent and temporary exhibitions and a Nature Center where you can get information about the region's national parks - Linnansaari and Kolovesi.
The proximity of the local history museum next to the fortress looks symbolic. Several hundred years ago the city grew up next to the fortress. And if in the fortress they talk about military life, then in Riihisaari they talk about how civilians lived - about history, culture, crafts, trade, everyday moments.
The main exhibition of the museum, “On the Pier,” is dedicated to the pages of the life of the region associated with sailing navigation. In Savonlinna alone, several museum steamships from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved, and each has its own interesting history. The longest-living vessel in this system is the steam tug Ahkera, built in the city of Varkaus in 1871. The steam-powered schooner "Salama" (lightning - Finnish, 1874) carried cargo on the Joensuu - St. Petersburg line, but one day sank, colliding with another ship and sank. After 70 years, “Salama” was raised, put in order and turned into a museum. The passenger steamer Savonlinna (1904) was called Saimaa's fast train for its speed, and today it goes on cruises. The self-propelled barge Mikko (1914) is the world's last surviving barge with a wooden hull and resin coating. In 1919, a huge fleet of such ships transported wood from the Savo region to the shores of the Gulf of Finland, including St. Petersburg.
H operating principles of the Riihisaari Center: January – April – Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 19 hours; in summer - daily from 10 to 17 hours; September – December – Tuesday – Sunday – from 10 to 17 hours; from December 25 to January 6 – daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In 2018, the museum is closed: March 30, Good Friday; 22 – 23 – Yuhannus; August 25 – private event; December 6 – Independence Day; December 17 – 24 – Christmas.
Tickets: adult – 8 euros; pensioners; unemployed, students – 4 euros; children under 18 years old – free.
Address: Riihisaari, 57130 Savonlinna
Website: https://www.savonlinna.fi/riihisaari
Walking around Savonlinna
Market Square – Port - Old Savonlinna
The ancient city of Savonlinna is an attraction in itself. We suggest walking along the main tourist route from the Market Square and the port to the Olavinlinna fortress.
The pulse of city life beats Market Square since 1893. Noisy fairs with craft stalls, open-air cafes, local delicacies - lertsu pie and fried muikku... Even this simple program will bring joy, let alone if you happen to be on St. Olaf's Day, which is celebrated on July 29, and this is where the main festivities take place.
Please note that next to the Market Square, between two pedestrian bridges, there is a monument to the Saimaa ringed seal (Saimaa ringed seal, Аrto Latjanen, Eeva-Maria Miettinen, 2000).
The market square is closely adjacent to the port area, which stretches along the embankment. City ships have been mooring here since 1886. The atmosphere in the port in summer is the most romantic. Boats, yachts, steamships... The splash of the Saimaa wave, the creaking of wooden sides rubbing against the pier, brave captains in blue uniforms...
Taking a ride around Saimaa on an old steamboat is an essential and very pleasant part of a summer holiday in Savonlinna. Pleasure boats depart from the pier every half hour. The duration of water excursions is from 30 minutes to one and a half hours. The routes run around Savonlinna and to the islands of the archipelago.
A stone's throw from the port begins the charming Old Savonlinna district (Wanha Savonlinna). Its heart is Linnankatu (Fortress Street). Once upon a time there was a road along which important dispatches were delivered to the fortress, and it was called the Horse Road (Ratsastustie). This is the oldest street in Central Finland, part of the Great Savo Road (Suuri Savontie) from the city of Hämeenlinna to the Olavinlinna fortress. In the second half of the 19th century, stone pavements, electric lights and rich houses appeared here. The street looked so chic that the locals called it Parisian.
Today Linnankatu is a concentration of wooden houses with history, which house galleries, souvenir shops, hotels, cafes and other places tasty for tourists. The oldest building in Savonlinna, built in 1820, is located at Linnankatu 27.
Monuments of Savonlinna
Rarely will a tourist pass by a bronze ram without rubbing its horns. “Black Ram” is a tribute to one of the popular serf legends. In the old days, there was a tradition in the fortress to sacrifice a ram on St. Olaf's Day in order to attract military luck to one's side. And then one day a nimble ram, foreseeing its inglorious fate, broke free and flew to the very top of the fortress. On that day, a thunderstorm broke out (which most likely caused the animal’s inappropriate behavior). Russian troops, already ready to attack the fortress, saw a terrible horned figure in the lightning discharges and retreated. A children's fairy tale, of course, but people like it...
By the way, the last serf ram drowned in the waters of Saimaa in 1728, as evidenced by the chronicles of the parish of Saaminki, on the territory of which the city of Savonlinna grew up. Then the tradition of sacrificing a ram came to an end. When a bronze ram appeared on the island of Tallisaari, another custom arose - rubbing its horns. Men hope that this will strengthen their virility; women, by and large, want the same thing.
The sculpture depicting a knight in armor was created in honor of the fortress's founder, Erik Axelsson Tott, for the 500th anniversary of the castle.
"Stones of Kollaa: Home, Religion, Fatherland", a monument to those killed during the Winter War. Author - Kerimäki, Rantasalmi, Joroinen. 1955 The monument consists of three huge granite boulders. Engraved on the monument are the words: “The price of Finland’s freedom will be paid from father to son.”
Cathedral
Savonlinna Cathedral is a neo-Gothic building built in 1878. The history of its appearance is interesting. The settlement, which eventually (1639) became the city of Savonlinna, historically arose on the territory of the Säjaminka church parish. A church was built in the parish in the early 1500s. It was located outside of Savonlinna at that time, on Cape Kirkkoniemi, and residents of all surrounding settlements went there for services. However, in the 1840s, the Säjaminka church became dilapidated and could no longer accommodate everyone. About the same amount of money had to be spent on repairing and expanding the church as on building a new temple. Savonlinna at that time became a large populated area, the townspeople turned to the county mayor Alexander Thesleff with a request to build a church in their city.
A positive decision was made in 1850, but construction of the temple began only in 1874. There were difficult economic conditions and the famine of 1866-1868 caused by massive crop failures.
Architect Axel Hampus Dalström created the project in the neo-Gothic style, work on which lasted from 1874 to 1878. In 1896, a decision was made to establish a diocese (a structure corresponding to a diocese in the Russian Orthodox Church) and the cathedral was given cathedral status. It is interesting that the status of cathedral remained with the Savonlinna Cathedral even after 1925, when the bishopric was moved to Vyborg.
During the Winter War and World War II, Savonlinna, including the Cathedral, was heavily damaged by bombing. The cathedral was restored in 1946 - 1947, but it acquired its final appearance, close to the original, after the restoration of 1990 - 1991.
At first, the impressive appearance of the cathedral so impressed the Savolais, who were accustomed to the old wooden church, that they called it a giraffe - kirahviksi. Although there are now many churches in the neo-Gothic style in Finland, the cathedral in Savonlinna still looks impressive today. With a height of 51 meters to the base of the cross, the temple remains the architectural dominant of low-rise Savonlinna.
The massive red brick building has bright interiors. In the altar part of the temple there is a painting by Paavo Leinonen “Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane”. The frescoes on the ceiling depicting flying angels were painted by Antti Salmenlinna. The author of the stained glass window above the altar is the famous Finnish artist and graphic artist Lauri Aalgren. A new 45-register organ was installed in the cathedral during the last reconstruction in the 90s of the last century. Its author is Martti Porthan. Up to a thousand people can be in the cathedral at the same time.
Address: Pappilankatu 8, Savonlinna.
In the church park there is a monument “Praying Soldier” (1921) by the famous Finnish sculptor Vaine Aaltonen, dedicated to those who died during the Civil War in Finland. The monument, depicting a naked figure in a kneeling form, caused great controversy in society, including due to its inappropriateness next to the temple. However, it still stands in its place.
In 1978, a memorial to those buried during World War II in Karelia was erected in the park.
Orthodox Church of the Holy Prophet Zechariah and Righteous Elizabeth
Savonlinna also has an Orthodox church - the Church of the Holy Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth, which has long been called “Pikkukirkko”, which means “small church”. The Orthodox Church was built in 1846 according to the design of Louis Visconti. When Suomi became part of the Russian Empire under the Treaty of Fredericksburg in 1809, the number of Russian residents in Finnish cities increased noticeably. There was a large garrison in Savonlinna. An Orthodox church was built for Russian-speaking residents.
After Finland gained independence, the situation changed diametrically. Many Russians returned to their homeland, many died during the Civil War. As a result, the number of Orthodox townspeople decreased, and the temple began to need funds. In 1938, the Orthodox parish of Kuopio sold the church and the surrounding area to the Evangelical Church of Savonlinna.
In the 1940s, when Savonlinna Cathedral was damaged by bombing, Pikkukirkko was used for services. In 1946, the artist Eino Rafael Rapp made stained glass windows for the church. In 1984-1985, Pikkukirkko was repaired and an organ was installed. The location of the original Orthodox Church altar is marked on the floor with brass. In 2000, the church received its first altar, which depicts the birth of Christ in the style typical of 17th-century Nativity painting.
In the 50s of the last century, the Orthodox parish of Varkausa already raised the issue of returning Pikkukirkko, but the Savonlinna city council did not want to sell it. However, in 2017, the Finnish Orthodox Church still bought the temple of the Holy Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth for 200 thousand euros. The return was made possible for two reasons. Firstly, in Finland, including Savonlinna, the number of Russian-speaking migrants has increased. Secondly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church found itself in an unfavorable economic situation due to the outflow of parishioners. The parish of Savonlinna-Säjaminki said it was abandoning the Little Church in order to balance its economy. Baptisms and weddings will now take place in the Cathedral. Thus, the Church of Saints Zachary and Elizabeth today belongs to the Finnish Orthodox Church. It is better to go to Kerimäki in the summer, because in the cold months you can only see the church from the outside. The huge room cannot be heated, so in winter the church opens only at Christmas. Then the air is heated by four stoves, candles and the breath of parishioners. However, the effect is still minimal, since warm air flies out of the huge windows. But in the summer the folk trail does not overgrow here. The majestic yellow and white church building with a bell tower rises above the surrounding area, attracting not only local residents, but also tourists from around the world.
The scale of the church is amazing. 42 meters wide, 45 meters long, building height 27 meters, with a cross - 37 meters. It is the largest wooden church not only in Finland, but also in the world. The neoclassical style was common in the mid-19th century. But at that time, wooden churches were noticeably smaller. How did it happen that Kerimäki got such a large church?
In the forties of the 19th century, the population of Kerimyaki was about 10 thousand people, which was quite a lot at that time. According to one version, residents hoped that their city would become the center of the province, and then everyone would come to them for services. When the question of a new temple arose, the project was ordered to the architect E. Lorman, but his project seemed too small to the people. The order was received by Anders Fredrik Granstedt, who presented a design for a colossal structure. There is a version that the model was created in feet, but the church was built in meters, which is why it turned out to be so large. This version is hard to believe. It is unlikely that the Finns, with their meticulousness and accuracy in their work, could have made such a mistake. The story that Garnstedt calculated the project based on the number of citizens is more likely to be true. The church can accommodate 5 thousand people, which means that at the time of construction half the city could be in service. This is the task that the architect set himself.
The construction of the church, which lasted three years, involved not only hired workers, but also local residents. Each resident between the ages of 15 and 60 had to work a certain number of days in accordance with their income.
All the Finnish experience in building wooden houses was reflected in the church in Kerimäki. All parts are held together by precise fitting and 294 thousand nails specially made for this project. Construction was completed on September 25, 1847, and consecration took place on June 11, 1848. A 42-meter-high bell tower was built in front of the church. Two bells call parishioners to services. One, weighing 600 kg and 90 cm in diameter, was cast in Helsinki in 1844; the second, weighing 400 kg and diameter 64 cm), was cast in Stockholm in 1684. In 1984, a 20-register organ, manufactured at the Kangasala factory, was installed in the church.
There can be 5 thousand people in the church at the same time: 3 thousand in the pews, 2 thousand standing. The length of the church benches is 1670 meters. In 1882, a crystal chandelier was purchased. In 1890, Alexandra Soltin painted an altar picture for the church in Kerimäki, depicting Jesus Christ on Calvary. In 1911, five paintings by the famous Finnish architect and artist Joseph Stenbeck were purchased.
Address: Urheilukuja 2, FIN-58200, Kerimaki
Coordinates: 61.912624, 29.284869
In addition, in Kerimäki there is a small Museum of Lake Fishing and a line of fortifications along the Raikun Canal, built before World War II.
Photos courtesy of the city administration of Savonlinna
The city of Savonlinna and mainly its medieval fortress Olavinlinna and the surrounding landscape made the strongest and lasting impression on us during our entire short stay. We were lucky with the weather, the sun was shining, only sometimes it was hidden behind rare clouds. The Olavinlinna fortress, the granite islands, the recently blossoming greenery and flowers - it all looked so magically beautiful that it still stands before my eyes. So there will be a lot of photos.
Until now, I believe that this fortress is the most impressive landmark in all of Finland. Savonlinna is, of course, further from the border borders of Imatra and Lappenranta, but for the sake of this fortress it’s worth coming this way, you definitely won’t regret it.
Olavinlinna - view from the parking lot
Since Savonlina is not located near the border, it is highly advisable to spend the night in the city. Visiting Savonlina in one day will be a very tiring undertaking, especially for the driver.
The casino SPA hotel is popular for its excellent SPA area, convenient location and very good breakfasts for Finland.
If you want something cheaper, you can opt for a very nice house, breakfast and a rowing boat are provided free of charge; for an additional fee you can order a sauna.
We stopped as always, although the campsite was located a little far from Savonlina.
Olavinlinna Fortress is the most impressive landmark in Finland
Flowers near the fortress The Olavinlinna fortress (Olafsborg in Swedish) is actually the most, the most, the most... Firstly, it northernmost medieval fortress, it was built by the Swedes in 1475 (beginning of construction) to protect against the growing strength of the Moscow Principality. Secondly, in the Middle Ages she was unapproachable, there is a strong current around the fortress and the lake around does not freeze. The Russians managed to take it only in 1741, severely destroying it with the help of artillery. Thirdly, she just very beautiful against the backdrop of lakes and flowers.
Erik Axelsson Tott - Danish knight, first builder of the fortress The most carefree seagulls live near the fortress; they build their nests right at the foot of the monuments. This seagull was not alone; we saw several more seagulls hatching their chicks on the stones right under the walls of the fortress.
A seagull making a nest at the foot of the monument Parking next to Olavinlinna Fortress
There is free parking right in front of the fortress; there were no empty spaces there, but as usual, after driving 2 laps, we noticed a car leaving and took its place. In general, there are plenty of parking lots in the surrounding area, so there won’t be any problems.
Ships next to the bridge leading to the fortress Ticket prices
We were lucky not only with the weather, right at the ticket office we were offered a Russian tour of the fortress, the tour is free, you just need to buy entrance tickets. Excursions in Russian are conducted in the fortress every hour during the high season, more details can be found in the Russian group " in contact with". If someone is unlucky with the excursion, you don’t have to worry, there are Russian explanations in all the halls.
Tickets can be taken both for the fortress itself and for the local history museum + fortress; both will be cheaper. The cost of complex tickets for adults is 9 euros, for children 7-17 years old - 4 euros.
And here live happy people who can see the fortress through the window every day 
These retro boats take tourists around the fortress At the cash register we were served by a Finnish young man who spoke Russian very well. The eastern regions of Finland even offered to study Russian instead of Swedish in their schools, but parliament did not allow them. The tour was conducted by a Finnish girl who spoke Russian and also spoke very well.
Monument next to the fortress About black sheep and Saint Olaf
Olavinlinna is the Finnish name for the fortress, it means "St. Olaf's Castle", Olaf was the king of Norway from 1015 to 1023 and brought Christianity to Scandinavia. St. Olaf is also known for the fact that he is the last saint of both churches, both Orthodox and Roman Catholic, and churches dedicated to St. Olaf were erected in and, but have not survived to this day.
Our prince Yaroslav the Wise stole Olaf's bride, the daughter of the Swedish king Ingigerda (Irina), and he had to marry her sister, but there is evidence that they still had an affair later, and the Russian prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich is his son, geneticists studying these hypotheses build the remains of princes.
Monument to the black ram In honor of St. Olaf's Day, Olavinlinna was supposed to eat a black lamb, and for many years every July 29th, those living in the fortress followed this tradition, only the last black ram of the fortress managed to avoid the fate of being eaten, it simply fell from the wall and drowned, this happened back in 1728 year. That’s why there is a monument to a ram at the entrance.
St. Olaf, a modern vision (1912) Another interesting legend is associated with the black ram. They say that when the Olavinlinna fortress was suddenly besieged by Russian troops, the garrison was going to slaughter a lamb in order to induce St. Olaf to help in the defense of the fortress. The ram was so frightened that he climbed onto the wall and made such strange and terrifying sounds that the besiegers thought that evil spirits lived in the castle and retreated.
Entrance to the fortress The procedure for conducting excursions in the fortress
Groups gather for excursions in front of these cannons. 3 excursions began immediately in Finnish, English and Russian; on the occasion of Saturday there were a lot of people, but everything was organized in such a way that the groups did not interfere with each other.
Ancient cannons in the fortress The guide immediately warned us that you have to climb 99 steps up along the narrow medieval staircases, so that those who do not feel able to accomplish this feat can stay below and just walk around the fortress.
Ladder You will have to climb with breaks, first up 24 steps, then another and another, so physically it is not difficult, you just have to wait all the time until the whole group lines up in single file and climbs to the next floor. The steps are all higher than standard and they are all uneven.
Bell Tower
The bell tower was built on the highest point of the island, the best place from a defense point of view. The first floor of the tower was used for food and clothing storage in the Middle Ages. It was of great importance, especially during the siege. The room was protected by a stone wall, the thickness of which was almost 3 meters, and had a massive slate vault, the work of Estonian craftsmen. It was possible to get into it only through a hole in the center of the ceiling, which led to a guarded weapons warehouse.
The vault of the Bell Tower and the hole through which wealth was released Food and things were collected as a tax from the surrounding villages or produced in cattle breeding farms belonging to the fortress. Grain was stored in dry form, and fish and meat were also salted and smoked. In addition to food, the warehouse contained valuable fabrics, furs, leather and metal utensils. And all this was lowered into the tower through a hole in the ceiling to avoid theft of supplies.
Church hall
The church in the fortress is still functioning, as the guide told us, tomorrow there will be a wedding here. The church hall is very small, decorated around the perimeter with 12 small crosses in honor of each of the apostles. An ancient painting that decorated the hall before the arrival of Lutheranism in Finland is faintly visible on the ceiling. Luther's stern followers whitewashed the painting, and now the painting has been cleared again.
Smallest organ Next to the church hall there was also a room for those not worthy to attend the service. Criminals, left-handers and red-haired people were considered unworthy, so our son violated ancient traditions; he is left-handed.
Life of the besieged in the fortress
In the Middle Ages, the upper floors of the towers were mainly used for defense, reached by a spiral staircase. Large loopholes provided a wide angle of fire.
The defenders of the fortress sat and slept on such benches. In the event of a siege, the defenders of the fortress were also forced to live in cold and damp tower rooms. Amenities in the living quarters included a fireplace, niches for things, a toilet and stone benches in the recesses of the loopholes.
Vintage toilet Below there was an abyss, rocks and seagulls, so there was no need for sewerage.
Let's climb up In addition to its centuries-old history, which tells about the confrontation between the Russians and the Swedes, the fortress also has a present. Every summer, an opera festival is held within the walls of the fortress; for a whole month, the best voices from Finland and other countries perform historical operas in historical settings.
Inside the tallest tower Opera singers are ready to put up with the lack of normal dressing and costume rooms for the pleasure of singing in this place; they say the acoustics in the fortress are very good.
Royal Hall
The most important guests were received in the Royal Hall, and now the tired participants of the tour of the fortress are relaxing.
Royal Hall The daylight coming from the windows was reflected from the whitewashed walls and arches of the hall. A hypocaust was used for heating: heat from the stove room located on the floor below was conducted through an air duct into the hall. In addition, light and warmth came from the fireplace located in the northern part of the hall.
Delegations of guests could spend quite a lot of time in the fortress, and they did not skimp on refreshments. On the governor's table there was salmon and other valuable types of fish, eggs, game and even wheat bread with wine.
Fortress model From the walls of the fortress there are marvelous views of the lakes that are part of the Saimaa lakes system.
Views of the lake from the walls They tell another interesting legend about Russian-Swedish love. They say that the daughter of the commandant of the fortress fell in love with a Russian soldier during the siege and repeatedly ran to him on dates, but once her father caught her at the gate. He was merciless and immured his daughter in the wall, suspecting her of treason.
In fact, the legend reeks of fantasy, because it is not clear how you can get out of the besieged fortress unnoticed, there is only one gate and it goes straight to the bridge, the fortress occupies the entire island, the walls rise right out of the water.
This is what's left when the gun explodes 
Cafe in the fortress 
The knight's coat of arms of the Pistolkors family means "crossed pistols" in Swedish. The fortress is very good, I recommend everyone to visit it on occasion. Service in Russian is excellent. I would like to return here in the fall during leaf fall or in winter to see all these marvelous landscapes in a different frame. After visiting the fortress, we visited, located opposite the fortress, and then walked a little around the city along the lake to Savonlinna Cathedral.
Savonlinna Cathedral
Spire of Savonlinna Cathedral The embankment, like everything else among the Finns, is decorated in the best possible way, everything is clean and very beautiful. The buildings are mostly modern; during the Winter War and World War II, the city was largely destroyed; little of the pre-war architecture has survived.
Next to the Cathedral there is a small memorial to the victims of the Finnish Civil War of 1918. Before the revolution, the Finns participated in all the unrest and demonstrations of the Russian Empire and, together with it, smoothly entered the revolution and civil war, but under the leadership of Mannerheim, the White Finns managed to defeat the Red Finns, but quite a few people died in this massacre, we saw similar memorials not only in Savonlinna, they are also in other cities in Finland.
Memorial dedicated to those killed during the Civil War of 1918 Next to the cathedral hangs such an intricate birdhouse made in the form of the cathedral itself, at least from this photo you will be able to imagine the architecture of the cathedral itself much easier, since the cathedral itself is almost entirely hidden from view by tall and spreading trees.
Artistic birdhouse next to the cathedral The inside of the cathedral is decorated in the traditions of the Lutheran Church, i.e. very, very modest - whitewashed walls with minimal decoration. There was a rehearsal for tomorrow's wedding in the cathedral, so we didn't take pictures there.
Savonlinna Cathedral behind the trees Even modern houses are tastefully decorated.
Home Decoration 
Interesting strawberry stall In general, there are not many attractions in Savonlinna - a fortress, a local history museum and a cathedral, but the fortress is very good. You can also take a lake boat trip to the Punkoharju ridge, but we were confused by its cost of 15 €. It would take all 60 for our family. Just 15 km from the center of Savonlinna there is the largest wooden church in the world, I’m talking about the church in Kerrimäki, I had enough strength to see it after a day filled with impressions.