A journey back to the Middle Ages at Savollinna Castle

Savonlinna, some 300 kilometres north of Helsinki and well connected to the country’s main cities by train and bus, is one of the best-known urban destinations in Finnish Lakeland thanks to its rich history and culture, which are beautifully reflected in the stunning lakeside scenery and the opportunities for excursions in the nearby nature reserves. The city’s symbol is Olavinlinna Castle, a medieval fortress built in the 15th century (and one of the best-preserved in Northern Europe) at the behest of the King of Sweden, and completely surrounded by the waters of Lake Saimaa. Its grandeur and its location on a small island in the heart of the Finnish lake district make it a place steeped in Nordic legend, a legend still fuelled today by the countless anecdotes recounting the lives of the soldiers and nobles who once lived there. Originally built as a defensive stronghold on the eastern borders of the Swedish Empire, the castle was dedicated to Olof, a Norwegian Catholic saint who lived in the 10th century, and its purpose was to protect the territory from incursions from the east and to control the important waterways of the Savonia region; in the 18th century, it came under permanent Russian control and, after long periods of neglect, was restored to its former glory in the early 20th century through major restoration work that has preserved it to this day. In summer, this magnificent stone structure becomes the exceptional setting for the Sovanlinna Opera Festival, an internationally renowned musical event that attracts visitors from all over the world and helps to make the castle one of the most visited in Finland, with around 70,000 visitors each year.

https://visitsavonlinna.fi/en/olavinlinna-castle/

https://operafestival.fi/en/