Savonlinna

Background

Savonlinna lies in the Saimaa lake region of south-eastern Finland. Founded in 1639, it is one of the ten oldest towns in Finland, and Olavinlinna Castle stands on a small island in the lake. The castle was founded in 1475 by the Swedish knight Erik Axelsson Tott, and the surrounding lakes and waterways were meant to hinder attacks from the Russian side to the east. It is described as the northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing. In 1912 the Finnish soprano Aino Ackté organised the first opera festival at the castle. Today the festival is held every July under the covered auditorium in the castle courtyard, draws about 70,000 visitors a year, and is regarded as Finland's internationally best-known cultural event. Next to the castle, the Riihisaari museum presents the cultural and natural history of Lake Saimaa.

Local customs

• Hear an opera in the castle courtyard in summer, with lake light and stone walls in one frame
• cruise among the Saimaa islands and watch the waters where ringed seals appear
• climb a castle tower for a view over the lake region.

Travel tips

• Accommodation is tight during the opera festival, so book several months ahead. Castle admission and performance tickets are sold separately
• check prices with the official information. Mosquitoes are plentiful around the lakes in summer, so bring insect repellent.
• You can reach Savonlinna from Helsinki by train or long-distance bus in a few hours
• in town, the castle and the harbour are within walking distance, and lake cruises depart from the harbour. July, during the opera festival, is the liveliest time
• June to August brings the richest lake activities and bright summer nights. In winter the lake freezes, and you can try ice fishing and snow activities.