Olavinlinna Castle
Olavinlinna
A medieval castle built in 1475 on a rocky island in a lake, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in northern Europe.
Olavinlinna was built in 1475 by the Kingdom of Sweden to defend against Novgorod. Its three round towers stand on a rocky island in the rapids between two lakes and are reached by a floating bridge. Inside the castle you can visit the towers, the chapel, the knights' hall and two small exhibitions. A roughly one-hour guided tour shares castle legends, such as the rowan tree legend. Every July, the Savonlinna Opera Festival stages performances in the castle's covered courtyard. Admission is charged. In summer the castle is open from about 10:00 to 18:00, with shorter hours on winter weekends. It is about a 10-minute walk from the market square, and the interior staircases are steep and narrow.
Opening hours
Summer 10:00–18:00; shorter hours in winter
Nearby sights
- Riihisaari Lake Saimaa Nature Centre
- Linnankatu Old Town
- Sulosaari
- Lake Saimaa Cruise
- Savonlinna Market Square
- Savonlinna Cathedral
- Rauhalinna Villa
- Kerimäki Church