City of Savonlinna, Finland. What to see in Savonlinna

Finland is a country with amazing nature and fabulous landscapes. But when the question arises of what attractions to see, it may not immediately come to mind that there are ancient fortresses, original parks, and beautiful wooden churches. It was precisely for these impressions that I went to Savonlinna.

It is especially popular among Russian tourists seeking cultural enrichment due to its proximity to the Russian border. Reason for which small town is one of the first places to visit - the main attraction of the city and ancient castle Olavinlinna. Tourists often come here to see historical heritage Finland.

A little history of Savonlinna

Located near the lakes of the Saimaa water system. About half of the city's territory is made up of lakes and rivers; there are also many bridges and amazing natural landscapes; it is not for nothing that Savonlinna is often called the Finnish Venice.

The history of the entire city and fortress is closely connected with the Russian and Swedish conquests, which is why it also has a Swedish name - Olafsborg. Initially, that is, when the fortress was founded, the Swedes called it “new castle” or Nyslott.

When planning our trip, we decided to rent a car (you can read more about renting a car in Finland), this allowed us to visit not only the city itself, but also interesting places on the way there.

How to get to Savonlinna

The first and most common transportation option in Finland is a car. Route sequence:

• highway E18 to the Svetogorsk checkpoint,
• road no. 62 (Pietarintie),
• road No. 6 (),
• road number 14.

The second option is the railway. Savonlinna can be reached by train from Lappeenranta, Pieksämäki, and Joensu. Prices range from 21 to 53 € depending on the distance. You can get off at the Asematie or Kauppatori stop. There are no direct trains from the Russian Federation to this place.

From St. Petersburg you can go on an organized excursion by bus. The beauty of nature in Finland surprises me even after a year of living in this country. We drove to Savonlinna among tall pine trees, and on both sides of the road we could see the blue distance.

Sights of Savonlinna

The population of Finland is approximately equal to the population of St. Petersburg, but their territory is much larger. This is probably why every Finn’s dream is a country house located so that no neighbors are visible on the horizon. Accordingly, the concentration of attractions and monuments here also leaves much to be desired. Therefore, when traveling to a relatively Big City I advise you to also look at the nearby ones interesting places and use your car.

Olavinlinna Fortress

Entrance to the fortress territory is free, address: Olavinlinna Fortress in the city, Finland.

The first attraction we saw, of course, was Olavinlinna Castle. This fortress, also called St. Olaf's Fortress, was built by the Swedes in 1475 to protect against eastern conquerors (guess who).

Initially it was called Nyslott, that is, “New Castle”; the fortress also previously had five towers, but only three have survived to this day. By the way, according to one of the legends, the Russian Emperor Alexander also visited here. During his visit, he appreciated the nature of these places and ordered everyone to try to preserve it with all his might.

Inside the fortress there is a large museum that preserves the history of the castle. Cost of visit:

• an adult ticket can be purchased for 9 €,
• with student and pensioner discount for 7 €,
• children's ticket(7–17 years old) for 4.5 €,
• there is a discount for groups of 11 people - 7 € per ticket,
• as well as the opportunity to buy a family ticket (2 adults + 1–4 children) for 20 €.
• Children under 7 years old are served free of charge.

We didn’t go there, but we enjoyed walking around the territory. The inside of the fortress is quite large. Staircases covered with moss hint at the antiquity of the structure. The staff are dressed as if they are still in the 16th century and working to protect the city. An atmospheric place, especially at the end of November.

The fortress is famous not only for its ancient history. Since 1912, an international opera festival has been held here. At this time the castle turns into concert hall, full of spectators. Festival participants usually include both Finnish and foreign troupes. Nearby is Lake Siikalahti, which is also called Bird Lake. Bird lovers from all over come here to observe rare species in their habitats.

Walk around the city

Next was a walk around the city. There is a small park at the exit from the fortress. The most remarkable thing about it is the statue Black ram 1964 by Anton Ravender-Rouse. There is a lot of information about this monument beautiful legend.

In historical times, rams were raised in the fortress and sacrificed, accordingly, to the table for St. Olaf's Day. One day, before a festive dinner, a ram escaped and managed to climb onto the roof of the fortress. He noticed the approaching Russian troops, who wanted to take advantage of the festive commotion and take the fortress by surprise. According to legend, the ram made such a terrifying sound that the army capitulated. So the ram saved the city and ended up on the monument, and the custom of sacrifice was abolished. Nowadays, it is good luck to rub the side of a bronze ram.

The oldest street, Linnankatu, leads directly to the castle, but we went in the opposite direction. Here you can admire historical architecture. House No. 27 was built in 1820 and is the oldest wooden building, house No. 32, on the contrary, is the first stone building, which appeared in 1910.

If you are interested in souvenirs, Savonlinna has historical Taitoshop store(address: Puistokatu, 7). This is not only a souvenir shop but also architectural monument, built in 1895. Here you can also find handmade goods, which are very popular in Finland. If you are lost in choice, take a look, you will find it here interesting option and for you.

Another local attraction is Riihisaari island(Riihisaari), where the Savonlinna Local History Museum is located. It is located in a room built in 1852 according to the design of Ernst Lohrmann. The building was originally used as a grain barn, and then turned into a Finnish museum.

Most of the exhibitions are devoted to the history of crafts, where navigation along the Saimaa plays an important role. In summer the museum is open daily, in winter with weekends. There are Russian-language excursions, but you should arrange them in advance, preferably two weeks in advance.

Close to Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a small town, and its main attraction is the Olavinlinna Fortress. However, once you arrive here, you should consider visiting nearby attractions. There are many of these in the area, for every taste.

Crazy place - Koitsanlahti Park

The first point of visit according to the plan was the village of Koitsanlahti, or rather the wooden sculpture park created by Veijo Rönkkönen. Entrance to the territory is free. It is also called “Mystical Forest”, “Figures near Parikkala”, “Patsaspuisto” (Patsaspuisto). This is truly a mystical place!

It simply had an effect on us indelible impression. An abandoned house surrounded by a huge number of sculptures in strange poses. As it turned out later, we entered from the back entrance, that is, all the figures were facing in the opposite direction. At first the park was fun. We walked around, photographed sculptures, and fooled around. The snow was falling in huge beautiful flakes. At some point, we began to notice that it was very quiet around. In principle, it seemed that the owner - that same crazy artist - had either just walked away or was watching us from around the corner. We became quiet...

It is worth noting that Finland is famous for its peace and tranquility, but here we were in the middle of an international highway in mid-November, and there was no one and nothing around. After a couple of minutes, we noticed that all the figures were extremely realistic. “Extremely” means that they all have eyes and they all absolutely look at each of us. What an impression! We left the park quickly; some still refuse to look at the photos of the figures from there.

Upon arrival home, it became interesting to see the history of this place. Despite the creepy atmosphere, it was clear that the creator was extremely talented and put his soul into creating this “park.” The details were very surprising: the prints of hands and feet on the concrete paths, the variety of figures, their themes and location.

Having scoured the Internet, I found several versions and, in fact, found out that there is another entrance to the park. One of the first notes said that the author used real human teeth to create his sculptures. I don’t even want to think about where and why he took it from. Regarding the versions about the purpose of creating this place: some believe that some of the figures are of a political nature, depicting caricatures of Finnish presidents and other political figures. According to other sources, a number of figures of children were made after the death of the artist’s mother. The most famous are in the Yoga Garden, which includes more than 200 sculptures. There is also a self-portrait of the park’s creator – a sculpture of a man sitting on a stone with a shovel.

The author has worked on this site for over 50 years since 1961. He died in 2010, but the park is open to the public to this day. The number of figures in the garden totals more than five hundred. And although this place left an incomparable impression, I would not recommend visiting it with children or people with mental disorders.

How to get to the mystical forest

The park is located just 50 kilometers from Imatra and 10 km southwest of the town of Parikkala. It is also 5 kilometers northwest of the Russian-Finnish border. You can get there by car. First, follow the Kuutostie highway from Imatra towards Savonlinna, there look for a right turn with a sign for Patsaspuisto not far from Parikkala, literally a few kilometers away.

Address: Kuutostie 611, 59130 Parikkala (GPS: 61.4837, 29.4812)

Forest Museum "Lusteau"

Nature lovers will be interested in visiting the Lusto Forest Museum, which is also a research center. Museums in Finland surprise with their ingenuity. Here, for example, the children's entrance runs through a hollow tree, on one side of which there are stairs, and on the other there is a children's slide. The museum also periodically hosts demonstrations of crafts: planing splinters, cooking resin, carving sculptures from wood. In the logging department you can control a simulator logging machine.

Ticket prices:

• for the whole family 25 €,
• for an adult 10 €,
• children 5 €,
• for pensioners and students 8 €.

Retretti Arts Center

For art lovers, 30 kilometers from Savonlinna there is the Retretti art center. Its area occupies about 4 thousand square meters, most of it is located in caves. There is also a concert hall 25 meters underground. The caves are only open during the summer months.

The ticket costs:

• for an adult 15 €,
• pension 12 €,
• student 9 €,
• children (5–15 years old) 5 €.

Ridge to Punkaharju

The 7-kilometer ridge in Punkaharju, surrounded by clear lakes, seems like a fabulous place. It has remained since the Ice Age. This is one of the most famous landscapes in Finland.

By decree of Alexander I, this place became the first protected natural area in Finland at the beginning of the 19th century.

Estate "Rauhalinna"

Located in Lehtiniemi, 16 km from Savonlinna. The building looks fabulous and unreal.

In 1900, this house was a silver wedding gift to his beloved wife Alma from an officer of the Tsarist army, General Nils Weckmann. The mansion is called the lace mansion.

Wooden church

On the way back we decided to visit the famous wooden church 25 kilometers from Savonlinna in the city of Kerimäki. The church is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. It was erected in 1847. The building's capacity is 5,000 people, the ceiling height in the main hall is 27 meters.

The church is open and receives visitors, and concerts are also held here. However, we were unlucky to get inside; we arrived very late. But the church itself is very impressive from the outside. Even in the evening you can admire the building, as the area is illuminated by lanterns, and the building retains its majesty even with electric light.

Finally

Is our day trip I left only pleasant impressions in Savonlinna. We rejoiced at the first fabulous snow and were frightened by strange figures in Koitsanlahti, imbued with the antiquity of Olavinlinna and took photos for luck with a lamb, admired the largest wooden fortress and walked along the historical street of the city. Travel is inspiring not only when you are on the road, but when you choose places to visit, read the history of interesting monuments, look at photographs taken or share your stories with others. Create your own routes and enjoy your travels. Have a nice trip!

The Finnish city of Savonlinna is located 330 km from the capital of Finland. More than 40% of the entire territory of this city is occupied by lakes and clean rivers. Parts of the city are connected by fancy bridges, ferries travel along the rivers, and all this amazing splendor gave the city the second name “Finnish Venice”. Thanks to ancient history city, its attractions and amazing nature Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Savonlinna every year.

Savonlinna – Finnish Venice

From the history of the city

Savonlinna was founded in 1475 by order of a Danish knight named Eric Tott. He built a powerful fortress on the island, which was supposed to protect nearby territories from attacks by eastern conquerors. This fortress began to be called Olavinlinna (St. Olav's fortress). The island near the fortress called Vääräsaari soon began to be populated. Since 1639, with the assistance of Peter Brahe, the settlement was recognized as a full-fledged city. In 1803, Russian Emperor Alexander visited there. He was so amazed by the nature of these places that he ordered everyone to try to preserve it with all his might.

Soon a hotel with a bathhouse was opened in Savonlinna, where many wealthy residents of St. Petersburg came to relax and improve their health. Since then, the city began to actively grow. With the opening of the Saimaa Canal and the appearance railway, Savonlinna has become even more popular than it was before, as it has now become easier to get to this city. In the city you can more often meet a visitor than a native resident. And this is not surprising, because there really is something to see in Savonlinna.

Sights of Savonlinna

The Olavinlinna fortress mentioned above was the first Swedish fortress, which could withstand fire artillery. The fortress was erected in case of war with the Moscow state, because it was rapidly expanding its territories, annexing Novgorod. The castle was built on a lake, a complex system of rivers and canals in the event of a siege would seriously complicate the task for the attacker. The Swedes called this fortress Nyslott. Translated this means "New Castle". Architects for the construction of the fortress were invited from Revel. Initially the castle boasted five high towers, but, unfortunately, only three of them have survived to this day. In the 16th century, at least 200 people served in the Olavinlinna fortress, and this made it one of the most invincible Swedish outposts on the route of Russian troops in the 15th and 16th centuries. Now the fortress building has been turned into a large museum. The exhibitions tell tourists about the history of the castle, about the stages of its development over many centuries.

Special attention should be paid to the ridge - this is an amazing and inherently original creation that has remained on the territory of Savonlinna since the Ice Age. Seven kilometers of moraine ridge are surrounded by clear lakes. This landscape is considered one of the most famous in Finland and is depicted on many postcards and paintings from Finland.

Museum of Local Lore

Not far from the famous Olavinlinna fortress, on an island called Riihisaari, there is the Savonlinna Local History Museum. It occupies the premises of an old barn. Today you can see interesting exhibits here that tell about the history of Savonlinna and the region. Most There are exhibitions dedicated to the history of crafts, in particular, navigation along the Saimaa.

In Kerimäki there is a church that is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. The church can accommodate more than 5,000 people; the distance in the main hall from the ceiling to the dome is 27 meters. This truly majestic structure was erected by the residents of Kerimäki in 1847. To this day, services and various concerts are held here.

The Finns call Lake Siikalahti Bird Lake. Ornithologists and simply bird lovers from many countries around the world come here to watch the various, rarest and most amazing species of birds that nest on this lake, far from the noise and annoying eyes.

Linnavuorn Hill represents sheer cliff(55 meters high). There are large stone ramparts there, which the first settlers of Savonlinna used as defensive structures 800 years ago.
The town of Kerimäki is located 25 kilometers from Savonlinna. There is the Hytermä nature reserve, which is worth a visit to see the extraordinary beauty of the multiple islands on which moraine ridges coexist with unusual stone landscapes.

Also worth special attention are the protected parks in the vicinity of Savonlinna. Linnansaari Park is located 40 km from the city. It consists of more than 60 islands, and the Saimaa seal swims in the waters of local reservoirs. She is the pride of the Finns and must be carefully protected and treated with care. Kolovesi Park also consists of large quantity islands. They contain rocky accumulations with rock paintings from the Stone Age.

Culture

Opera Festival "Savonlinna"

Every year an opera festival is held in Savonlinna, which is recognized as one of the best musical forums. Every year the Savonlinna Opera Festival gathers around the Olavinlinna fortress many lovers of classical opera and just tourists who can appreciate opera arias. A special canopy is stretched out in the courtyard and the space is turned into a full-fledged theater stage. Typically, the festival features 5-6 Finnish productions (about 30 performances in total during the festival) and a tour of a foreign opera company for a week (2 performances in 7 days). Invited opera houses replace each other throughout the month. So that everyone can plunge into the world of music and understand what the opera is about, the performance, as a rule, takes place in the original language, and subtitles in the main European languages ​​appear on the electronic display.

Where to eat?

In Savonlinna, like in many other cities, there are many different establishments, but we invite you to take a look at the iconic cafes of the city that have been operating for decades.

Saima

This is an iconic cafe-patisserie located in the city center. Here you can drink a cup of aromatic coffee with Finnish pastries, but also have a good lunch; you will be offered a salad bar or a menu with more “serious” dishes.

The wonderful old Finnish town of Savonlinna, located in the very center of the Saimaa Basin, is sometimes called the Venice of Finland. And this name is fully justified, because almost 40 percent of the town is occupied by fresh rivers and lakes, and all its buildings are located on the main peninsula and islands, connected by many ferries and bridges.

The city of Savonlinna is located in the eastern part of the country, 330 km from the capital of Finland, Helsinki.

Originating as a trading settlement near the walls of the Olavinlinna fortress, Savonlinna received city rights in 1639.

Today it is important center passenger and freight transport throughout the Saimaa basin. And also important tourist centre countries. Largely due to the extraordinary picturesque natural landscape and, of course, its attractions.

Olavinlinna Fortress

The Olavinlinna fortress, thanks to which, in fact, the city itself arose, is the most important attraction of Savonlinna and one of the most famous attractions in the country. Built by the Swedes to protect these lands and the territory of their borders at the end of the 14th century, today Olavinlinna has preserved its architectural appearance better than other similar military fortifications in Northern Europe. And this despite the fact that at different times more than one battle took place under its walls, and the fortress itself was periodically in the possession of either Sweden or Russia, which introduced their own national elements into the architecture of the fortress. Naturally, this history of the fortress was reflected in the architectural decor of its buildings, making the appearance of Olavinlinna unique.

Today, the fortress building houses the Orthodox Museum, as well as a Museum that tells the history of Olavinlinna.

The fortress has gained particular popularity thanks to the International Opera Festivals, which have been held here for more than a hundred years, starting in 1912. This is the biggest cultural event, where the famous voices of famous artists from all over the world sound, more than 80 thousand spectators come to Savonlinna.

Monument to Saint Olaf in Savonlinna

The attraction of the fortress itself is the shrine of many Finns preserved here - this is a majestic monument to St. Olaf, the founder of Christianity in Norway, who, after canonization, is considered the patron saint of merchants and sailors.

The uniqueness of this monument, transported to Olavinlinna in 1912, is that it is made of a monolithic slab of soapstone weighing 1,500 kilograms. The author of the work is the famous Finnish sculptor Ville Wallgren.

Savonlinna Local History Museum

Next to famous fortress On the island of Riihisaari there is another attraction of Savonlinna - its Local History Museum. Previously, this museum was located on the territory of the Olavinlinna fortress, but was subsequently moved to a building dating back to 1852 and which in the past served as a pavilion for the grain trade.

Today, a variety of exhibits are presented here, telling about the history of the city of Savonlinna and the entire region, as well as the history of local crafts and the development of shipping on Saimaa. The largest existing exhibits of the Local History Museum are located next to its building - these are real steamships from different times: Mikko, Savonlinna, Ahkera and Salama, which, if desired, can be boarded in the summer.

Linnankatu street

The Finns also include its central street, Linnankatu, among the attractions of the town. To be fair, it should be said that this street leading to the fortress is the oldest in Savonlinna. Founded in the distant past by the artisans of Olavinlinna, in the 19th century it turned into an elite area of ​​Savonlinna and became its center.

Today there are city cafes, boutiques, as well as small exhibition halls, which are especially popular during opera festivals, and in the eastern part of Linnankatu, wooden buildings from the 19th century are still preserved.

Puppet Museum in Savonlinna

This museum, whose collection includes over a thousand dolls and other Finnish toys, is located on the island of Kasinonsaari. The museum's exhibits, since 1991, have been exhibited in the “House for Holiday Accommodation,” dating from the 19th century. The exhibition is based on dolls and toys from the private collection of lecturer Käpyu Tarus, collected by him since 1986. The oldest of them date back to the end of the 18th century, but most of the items in the collection were produced in the last century.

Of particular interest to visitors are dolls by contemporary Finnish masters, as well as porcelain dolls - winners of doll competitions in Finland and Northern Europe.

Savonlinna Dome Cathedral

And true connoisseurs of ancient architectural and cultural monuments will undoubtedly appreciate such a landmark of Savonlinna as the Dome Cathedral, built in 1874-1878 by the architect A.H. Dahlström. This beautiful ancient building, with a dome height of more than fifty meters, attracts both religious residents of the town and numerous tourists who want to admire its beauty and listen to the sound of a 45-voice organ. This majestic cathedral can accommodate about a thousand people at the same time.

We hope this beautiful Finnish town did not leave you indifferent and you will want to get acquainted with its wonderful sights.

Savonlinna has not only interesting sights, but also everything you need for an active and exciting holiday. Family tourists and solo adventurers will definitely find something to their liking at this resort. Those who prefer active outdoor activities can rent a boat or canoe to explore the local lakes and rivers.

• Jet skis and boats are rented in this city by employees of the Neste Oil gas station. A rather unusual rental point is located 8 kilometers from the center of Savonlinna at the address: Mertajärventie, 2. For one day of using a jet ski, tourists will have to pay from 300 to 450 euros. This office is open every day. On weekdays you can come here from 6:00 to 22:00. On weekends, the working day starts at 8:00 and lasts until 21:00.

Tourists who cannot afford a jet ski should pay attention to a more budget-friendly one. water transport- rowing boat. A four-hour boat rental with a motor will cost only 30 euros. A small rowing boat will cost even less - 20 euros for 4 hours. Using this type of transport you can take a romantic trip to the “Finnish Venice” or go fishing. This is someone who is good at what. By the way, the necessary fisherman’s kit, consisting of a fishing rod, net and other small items, is also given for temporary use. The cost of daily rental of gear starts from 19 euros. Vacationers can obtain the necessary information about rental points of interest at Savonlinna Tourist Office. It is located on Puistokatu street 1. As for a suitable place for fishing , then fishing from a boat and from the shore in the city is allowed in the Haapasalmi Strait. In the mornings, many local amateur fishermen concentrate near the water on the side of Puistokatu Street. By the way, in Savonlinna it is prohibited to fish from bridges, piers and out of season. In the specialized store "Turunen" you can purchase a map with designated fishing spots. Here, for 7 euros you can buy a license giving the right to fish on a specified day for 24 hours.

Lovers riding bicycles You might be interested in a two-wheeled ride through the country's first nature reserve - the amazing and original Punkaharju ridge. This fantastic seven-kilometer stretch of land, surrounded by pristine lakes, has existed in the vicinity of the resort since the times ice age. By renting a suitable bicycle for 8–10 euros/day, tourists can admire the fascinating landscapes of the ridge, images of which often adorn postcards and booklets about Finland.

Add variety to entertainment program Maybe pleasure cruise on Lake Saimaa . During a boat trip or a beautifully decorated steamship, travelers will be able to enjoy the beautiful lake scenery and views of Savonlinne from the water. The duration of such walks is usually one or one and a half hours. Ships depart from a small pier in the area of ​​Satamapuistonkatu Street. Tourists can pay for a short cruise right when boarding the boat. Having completed the swim across the strait and lake, sea transport will return passengers to the starting point.

A wonderful option for a fun family pastime can be a trip to water park "Kesämaa" . This is where tourists of any age will find a lot of pleasure and a boost of energy for several months ahead. It’s not for nothing that this place is also called “The Land of Summer.” On the territory of the water park, seven adults and children are expected water slides, heated swimming pool, artificial rowing pond, mini golf course and climbing obstacle course. While parents are relaxing in the large, warm pool, children can have a blast on the slides. When hungry, tourists should stop by one of the cozy cafeterias operating in the water park. During a break between fun on water attractions, vacationers are invited to visit the sauna.

The Kesyamma water park is open only in the summer from early June to August. The park's operating schedule is adjusted monthly, which affects the cost of the entrance ticket. Typically, from the end of June to the first days of August, you can visit the park from 10:00 to 19:00. During this period, the price of an adult ticket for the whole day is 18 euros. You can also buy a ticket for a three-hour session - from 16:00 to 19:00, but it will cost only 4 euros cheaper. For tourists with children, the most suitable option is a family ticket for 59 euros, which gives the right to a day visit to the park for two adults and two children.

• Located outdoor water park“Kesämaa” in Punkaharju at the address: Summer Road 2. Tourists can get here from Savonlinna by rented car in 25 minutes, by bicycle, spending about an hour and a half, or by taxi or bus.

And, of course, the main summer entertainment of this Finnish resort is considered International Opera Festival , held annually in the Olavinlinna fortress. For almost a whole month, the courtyard of the defensive castle is transformed into a full-fledged theater stage. During this time, from 4 to 6 competitive productions plus performances by invited opera troupes are presented to the audience and jury. So tourists who find themselves in Savonlinna during the festival can immerse themselves in the world of opera music and art. And even the fact that all performances are in the original language will not be an obstacle for most travelers. As a rule, during a performance at a specially established electronic scoreboard Subtitles are displayed in English, French, and sometimes even Russian.

Winter activities in Savonlinna will bring no less pleasure to tourists. In the vicinity of the resort there are excellent conditions for winter active rest. Located nearby ski resorts aimed at beginners, children and unassuming skiers. In the city itself, the main attraction of the cold season is ice skating . From January to March, the city organizes real skating excursions on frozen areas, accompanied by a guide-instructor. This entertainment costs about 30 euros along with equipment.

Another winter fun is snowshoeing . You can enjoy such an active pastime right in the center of Savonlinna on the island of Onnellisten Saaret. Tourists can rent snowshoes directly at the hotel or at special rental points.

Savonlinna city in Finland - Photos, Attractions

Savonlinna (Savonlinna) is a city located in Eastern Finland. Founded as a settlement that received city status near the Olavinlinna fortress in 1639 on the island of Kyrensalmi, built as a fortification between Sweden and Russia. The development of the city resulted from the construction of the railway and the Saimaa Canal, which connected Lake Saimaa and the Gulf of Finland.

The history of the city is closely connected with the ancient fortress of Olavinlinna. Olavinlinna is the best preserved fortress in northern Europe. There are also many nature reserves and national parks in Savonlin: Hyterma Nature Reserve, national park Linnansaari, Punkaharju moraine ridge - a creation of the Ice Age, Kolovesi National Park, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. There are also many museums in Savonlin: the Forest Museum (Lusto), the Asema-atelier art workshop, the Museum of Warfare. Therefore, Savonlina is considered a resort and tourist city.

Kolovesi National Park

Olavinlinna Fortress (Olafsborg)