Savonlinna Attractions
Post code: SF-57100
Savonlinna, a popular spa and holiday resort, lies in the middle of the Saimaa lake system in southeastern Finland, between the Haapavesi to the north and the Pihlajavesi to the south. The town grew up around the castle of Olavinlinna and received its municipal charter in 1639. The oldest part of the town is picturesquely situated on an island between two waterways, with the newer districts on the mainland to the west. Savonlinna is one of the main centers of the boat services on Lake Saimaa.
Savonlinna, a popular spa and holiday resort, lies in the middle of the Saimaa lake system in southeastern Finland, between the Haapavesi to the north and the Pihlajavesi to the south. The town grew up around the castle of Olavinlinna and received its municipal charter in 1639. The oldest part of the town is picturesquely situated on an island between two waterways, with the newer districts on the mainland to the west. Savonlinna is one of the main centers of the boat services on Lake Saimaa.
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Olavinlinna Castle (Olofsborg Castle)
Olavinlinna Castle stands on a small island, surrounded by water and joined to mainland by a bridge. It was created in the 15th C but later expanded. Inside the castle is a museum.
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Events
Savonlinna is particularly well known for the International Opera Festival, in addition to the International Snow Sculpture Competition, and the Olujaiset Festival.
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International Opera Festival
(Events)
The famous International Opera Festival is held each summer at the Olavinlinna Castle.
Little Church
Olavinkatu runs east from Savonlinna's Market Square to another spacious square, Olavintori, in which is the Little Church (by L. T. K. Visconti, 1845), originally Orthodox (for the Russian garrison) but Lutheran since 1940. Over the west gable is a dome topped by a lantern.
Savonlinna Cathedral
On Savonlinna's Savonniemi peninsula, between the Haapasalmi and the Kirkkolahti, stands the Lutheran Cathedral, a neo-Gothic brick church (by A. H. Dahlström, 1879) which was damaged by bombing during the Winter War of 1939-40 and reconsecrated in 1949. In the adjoining gardens is a war memorial by Wäinö Aaltonen (ca. 1920).
Town
Savonlinna's main traffic artery is Olavinkatu, a long street running from east to west. At the west end of the old town, on the strait of Haapasalmi, is the Market Square, with the landing-stage used by the Lake Saimaa boats. From here a bridge leads north over the inlet of Koulolahti to the Vääräsaari peninsula, with the Spa Establishment (modern treatment facilities) and an attractive park and an open-air theater.
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