Olavinlinna — Attraction in Savonlinna sub-region

Olavinlinna (Swedish: Olofsborg; literally Olaf's Castle) is a 15th-century three-tower castle located in Savonlinna, Finland. It is the northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing. The castle is built on an island in the Kyrönsalmi strait that connects the lakes Haukivesi and Pihlajavesi.

The fortress was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475 under the name Sankt Olofsborg in an effort to profit from the political turmoil following Ivan III's conquest of the Novgorod Republic. It was sited in Savonia so as to lay claim to the Russian side of the border established by the Treaty of Nöteborg.

One of Tott's letters from 1477 includes a passing mention of foreign builders invited to Olofsborg, probably from Reval, where the city fortifications were being extended. It was the first Swedish castle provided with a set of thickset circular towers that could withstand cannon fire. It is not by accident that a network of lakes and waterways forms the setting for the castle, for these would seriously impede a prospective Russian offensive.

The three-towered keep was completed 1485, and the construction of the outer curtain walls with two towers was initiated immediately. They were completed 1495. The castle is roughly a truncated rhomboid with keep on the western side of the island and the curtain walls and outer bailey to east. One of the towers of the keep, St. Erik's Tower, has bad foundation and has since collapsed. One of the towers of bailey, the Thick Tower, exploded in the 18th century. A bastion has been built on its place. The castle was converted into a Vaubanesque fort in the late 18th century...

The castle is very well preserved and a fascinating site, but I didn't like the management. Many parts are only accessible with a guide for no real reason. We didn't have the time to wait for a tour in English (which was at 5pm) and following a guide who doesn't speak your language made little sense. Why did someone decide you needed a guide to visit the armoury or the tower? What, they think people will start throwing themselves off the tower or stealing swords to stab each other with?

The map we were given was quite confusing and it was very easy to get lost and end up missing some parts of keep returning to the same spots over and over again.

Lastly, nothing happens in August - no reenactments, events or anything - so it would be only fair to lower the ticket price. I suppose it may be fun in June or July and if you can take advantage of the guided tour, but otherwise I'm not sure it's...

Olavinlinna, also known as St. Olaf’s Castle, is a medieval fortress located in Savonlinna, Finland. Olavinlinna is one of Finland’s best-preserved medieval castles and a popular tourist attraction. It has three large towers and thick stone walls designed to withstand cannon fire. The castle was built to strengthen the Swedish Crown’s eastern defenses against Russia. Its strategic location on a rocky islet in Lake Saimaa made it a formidable military stronghold. Nowadays Olavinlinna hosts the world-famous Savonlinna Opera Festival every summer and offers guided tours, exhibitions, and special events. The castle’s dramatic silhouette and rich history make it a symbol of Finnish heritage...