Olavinlinna – the world’s northernmost medieval castle

Olavinlinna

– the world’s northernmost medieval castle

The fortress in the wild borderland

In the Middle Ages, Finland belonged to the Kingdom of Sweden. Castles were in charge of defending their surroundings, but they also functioned as the administrative centres of their respective regions. Olavinlinna Castle was a castle of the Kingdom of Sweden. The Castle was founded in 1475 by the Danish-Swedish nobleman Erik Axelsson Tott (1418–1481). He hired masons to build a castle on an island in the Straits of Kyrönsalmi in Lake Saimaa. This small and rocky island was chosen for its strategically significant location – the most important waterway to the north and the south in the vast Saimaa ran alongside the island. In the waters of Haukivesi and Pihlajavesi surrounding the Castle, the currents are so powerful that the water does not freeze even in the coldest winter. As such, the flowing water formed a perfect natural moat for the Castle. It is said that the last time the current by Cape Kyrönniemi froze enough to carry people was in the icy temperatures during the Winter War in 1939–1940.

Written by Jouni marJamäki, keeper, the nationaL museum oF FinLand, oLavinLinna CastLe

Olavinlinna Castle is an elegant and festive setting for various kinds of events. Linnantupa, the Castle Main Hall, pictured here, is one of the oldest rooms still in use Eastern Finland, if not the oldest one.

Erik Axelsson Tott named the castle after one of the most popular saints of his time, the Norwegian Viking king Saint Olaf (‘Olavi’ in Finnish). Olavinlinna Castle is in late medieval style, and its defensive solutions represented the top design of its time in all of the area around the Baltic Sea. The fortress consisted of the main castle, the bailey and five round cannon towers of a brand new design at the time. Three of these towers still remain: the Bell Tower, the Church Tower and Kijl’s Tower.

Based on the accounting made during the reign of the King of Sweden Gustav Vasa (1496–1560), the Castle had about 150–200 men. The Castle’s inhabitants were divided into three groups: officials, craftspeople and soldiers. Most of the castle folk lived in the castle facilities, which may not have been very comfortable, especially during the cold winters. People also lived in wooden cottages in the large courtyard, which may have been more pleasant during winter. Some of the castle’s people also lived in the small settlement on the opposite bank. From a fortress to a historical attraction In 1743, Sweden lost Olavinlinna Castle to Russia, and the Castle became a Russian border fortress. The Empress of Russia Catherine II (1729–1796) appointed the Russian general and count Alexander Suvorov (1729–1800) to build a chain of fortresses in Eastern Finland. Olavinlinna Castle was the northernmost fortress in this chain and a key stronghold. During Suvorov’s era, the bastion system of Olavinlinna Castle was upgraded. The bastions of this Russian era, such as the Thick Bastion, mark the appearance of the Castle powerfully, even today.

In 1809, Finland became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire. This is when Olavinlinna Castle lost its importance as a former border fortress. The Castle housed a garrison until 1847. When it was no longer used for military purposes, it served as a remand

IN SUMMER 1967, THE prison until it was left empty. The Castle’s popularity as an attraction was related to SAVONLINNA OPERA FESTIVAL the rapid development of inland steamboat

BEGAN OPERATING IN THE transport since the 1860s–1870s. The City

CASTLE. SINCE THEN IT HAS of Savonlinna’s location as a hub of ship BEEN A LARGE ANNUALLY HELD SUMMER EVENT. traffic, as well as the city’s development into a spa destination, brought tourists who were fascinated by the mystical ruined castle on a rocky island. A few fires ravaged the Castle in 1870s, after which it was repaired and the state started looking after it as a historical monument. Olavinlinna quickly became a popular tourist attraction and venue for summer parties. In 1912–14 and 1916, opera singer Aino Ackté held opera festivals in the Castle’s large courtyard. A major restoration project of the Castle started in 1961 and finished in 1975, which also marked the Castle’s 500th anniversary. During the restoration, in summer 1967, the Savonlinna Opera Festival began operating in the Castle. Since then it has been a large annually held summer event. The beautiful lake scenery surrounding the Castle has drawn visitors to the area for centuries. You can learn about the Castle on tours led by professional guides throughout the year. The fact that Olavinlinna Castle is the world’s northernmost medieval castle that is still standing adds some lustre to its story. The majestic castle island surrounded by wonderful lake scenery is beautiful in all seasons, but the Castle and the City of Savonlinna are the busiest in July. You can also see the exterior of the Castle from the lake by embarking on a steamboat cruise: many cruisers pass by the Castle.

A museum and a dramatic setting for events

The Castle hosts a variety of events around the year. After the busy tourism season of July and the Savonlinna Opera Festival, the auditorium of Olavinlinna Castle is used for concerts of various genres from heavy rock to pop. In between the concerts in August, the Castle has also hosted the Olavinlinna Boxing Night event in the last few years. In the winter season, the Castle offers Dark Tours for adults only that cover the Castle’s darkest history. On the Nooks and Crannies tours, you can see the Castle’s labyrinthine corners that are usually closed to the public. In the King’s Hall in the winter, you may even get to solve a murder mystery over dinner. Among young adults, the occasional Escape the Castle event, where the whole castle becomes an immense escape room, has become especially popular. During the winter holiday season in February–March, we offer a programme to families with children, such as storytime tours and museum bingo. The culmination of the winter season and the largest winter event of the last few years has been the Christmas Market in December, the preparation for which begins with the lighting of the decorative lights on Finnish Independence Day. The Castle’s festive lighting culminates in the Christmas Market where visitors can see the Castle in an entirely new light.

The Castle’s rooms include guide boards that provide information about the life in the Castle. In the permanent exhibition on the Castle’s ground floor, you can see the Castle’s history on a timeline, as well as miniatures and objects that you can touch. In the summer, the favourite activity of children and playful adults is the workshop at the Little Duke’s Hall where you can dress in historical outfits, try on a suit of armour, set the table for the castellan, build a miniature of the Castle from building blocks and compile historical maps of Finland.

The Castle can also be used to host private celebrations throughout the year, for which it provides a festive setting. The facilities are rented out for meetings and parties. The Olavinlinna Chapel, built in the Church Tower in late 15th century, is still being used for it original purpose. Events such as small-scale weddings, christening ceremonies and concerts are held there.

The castle café and restaurant Linnantupa is open in the summer and serves customers in one of the oldest halls in the Castle. During the Opera Festival in July and the concerts in August, restaurant services are provided at multiple points around the Castle. Olavinlinna Restaurants also offer catering for private events held in the Castle.

A part of the National Museum of Finland’s collection of museums

Olavinlinna Castle is a part of the National Museum of Finland. The National Museum of Finland is a national cultural history museum that maintains and develops its cultural history collections, promotes the study and use of cultural heritage and provides exhibition and public services at its museums throughout Finland: the National Museum, the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, Tamminiemi, the Maritime Museum of Finland, Langinkoski, Hvitträsk, Louhisaari Manor, the Prison, Häme Castle and Olavinlinna Castle. Serving as a provider of social commentary and an international influencer in the field of cultural history, the National Museum of Finland is part of the Finnish Heritage Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Education and Culture. s

In the winter, Olavinlinna Castle is illuminated starting from Finnish Independence Day on 6 December until the Christmas Market in mid-December.

OPENING TIMES January 1st – May 31st Monday-Friday 10.00-16.00, Saturday-Sunday 11.00-16.00.

Last guided tour starts at 15.00. Ticket sale closes at 15.15. Visitors can join the already started last guided tour until 15.15.

June 1st - June 30th and August 1st - August 31st Every day 11.00-18.00.

Last guided tour starts at 17.00. Ticket sale closes at 17.15. Visitors can join the already started last guided tour until 17.15.

July 1st - July 31st Every Day 10.00-17.00. Last guided tour starts at 16.00. Ticket sale closes at 16.15. Visitors can join the already started last guided tour until 16.15.

September 1st - December 15th and December 27th - December 30th. Monday-Friday 10.00-16.00, Saturday-Sunday 11.00-16.00.

Last guided tour starts at 15.00. Ticket sale closes at 15.15. Visitors can join the already started last guided tour until 15.15.

TICKETS

Adults € 12,00 Groups over 10 persons/students/conscripts/senior citizens € 8,00 Children 7-17 years € 6 Family ticket (2 adults and 1-4 children) € 25,00 Under 7 years old free of charge Online ticket shop https://www.kansallismuseo.fi/en/olavinlinna