Olavinlinna Castle (also known as Olafsborg Castle or St. Olaf's Castle) is the northernmost medieval fortress on a picturesque island near Savonlinna. Today, the city and the fortress have become famous thanks to the popular Finnish opera festival, which is held in the ancient walls every year.
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| Olavinlinna Castle |
Myths and facts
Olavinlinna Castle became a real stumbling block in the division of territories between Russia and Sweden, which included Finland in the 15th century. When the Swedes decided to build a stone fortress to control an important waterway on the eastern border, the Russians did everything to prevent the construction of a fortress on the lands they considered theirs. However, in 1475 the Danish knight and regent of Sweden, Erik Axelsson Tott, founded a majestic castle, which he named Olavinlinna or Olafsborg after the patron saint of all knights, Saint Olaf.
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| Olavinlinna Castle |
Many myths and legends are associated with Olavinlinna Castle., but the most famous is about a Finnish girl who fell in love with a Russian officer. For the eighth month, the fortress was under siege by Russian troops. The defenders were exhausted from hunger and deprivation. But this did not stop the sincere love of the commandant's daughter for one of the invaders from flaring up. Ingnel secretly met with her lover at night, having agreed with the guard who let her out of the fortress. But one day he was not there, and the impatient girl dared to open the gate herself. The guards came running to the noise and reported to the commandant that Ingnel wanted to surrender the fortress to the Russians. The father did not believe his daughter's confession about secret meetings and in anger ordered her to be walled up in the walls of the castle. Over time, a beautiful mountain ash grew on this place, the white flowering of which became a symbol of her innocence, and the red berries - the blood of a virgin.
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| Olavinlinna Castle |
The impregnable fortress on the rocky island of Saimaa - the largest lake in Finland, whose strong current does not allow the water to freeze even in winter - was a reliable defense of the eastern border until the 17th century, when the Great Northern War broke out. In 1714, after a long siege, the fortress was captured by Russian soldiers. But in 1721, after the signing of a peace treaty, the border was moved again and the Swedes got the castle back.
Olavinlinna lost its military importance in 1809 when Finland became an autonomous part of Russia. In 1917 Finland was recognized as an independent state. Today the castle has been completely restored and is open to tourists. Olavinlinna has become a popular venue for weddings, concerts and theatrical performances. In July, the Savonlinna Opera Festival takes place within the castle walls.
What to watch
Initially, the medieval fortress consisted of three towers connected by high walls. Two more towers and living quarters were later added. A tour of the castle includes a visit to the Knight's Hall with a statue of St. Olaf, nobility rooms, towers and prison cells in the dungeon.
Outside the castle walls are two small museums displaying artifacts found in the castle or related to the history of Olavinlinna and Finnish-Russian relations.
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| Olavinlinna Castle |
Interesting museums of the Middle Ages in Finland can also be found in Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral, Kerimäki Church and LumiLinna Snow Castle. Even more amazing monuments can be found in the famous cathedrals of Germany and the temples of Spain, the castles of England, the palaces of France and the fortresses of Switzerland.
Olavinlinna Castle is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00 in summer from 1 June to 14 August, and 10.00 to 16.00 from 15 August to 31 May. Closed from 15 December to 2 January and some public holidays.
Cost: 6 €, students and pensioners - 5 €, children from 7 to 17 years old - 3 €. Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) - 14 €. Free entry on International Museum Day (mid-May). On St. Olaf's Day (July 29) - 1 €.
*There is a restriction on visiting certain halls during the Opera Festival, which takes place during the month of July.