Olavinlinna Castle
In 1475 Erik Axelsson Tott, a knight of Danish extraction, decided to build a mighty castle to safeguard the strategically important region of Savo on the Swedish-Russian border. (Finland as such did not exist at that time). This castle would ward off attacks from the Russians in the east and thus ensure the supremacy of the Swedish crown. The history of Olavinlinna is indeed a pageant of clashing medieval swords, thundering cannons and everyday life within the safety of the massive castle walls.
Over the centuries Olavinlinna has served both Sweden and Russia as a border stronghold. Each master has left his own mark upon it, as reflected in its architecture. In 1975, after a vast restoration project, the Castle once again made its restored sections open to museum visitors and it is nowadays open to the public all year round. The Castle Museum exhibits items found in or related to the Castle and the Orthodox Museum icons and other religious artefacts from Finland and Russia. Public events and guided tours of the Castle with commentaries in a variety of languages are held in summer and winter alike. Some of the halls are hired to outsiders for events of many different kinds. In charge of the catering for such events is Amica Fazer.
Olavinlinna is the number one tourist attraction in the town of Savonlinna and annually receives thousands of visitors.
Olavinlinna Castle
Facilities to rent
Entrance fees
Guided tours