P375 - Finland - Olavinlinna castle in Savonlinna

Olavinlinna, a 15th century three-tower castle located in Savonlinna, Finland

Savonlinna (The Finnish name means Castle of Savonia.) is a town and a municipality of 27,828 (28 February 2009) inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region.

The city was founded in 1639, based around Olavinlinna. The castle was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475 in an effort to protect Savonia and to control the unstable border between the Kingdom of Sweden and its Russian adversary. During the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743), the castle was captured by Field-Marshal Peter Lacy. It was held by Russia between 1743 and 1812, when it was granted back to Finland as a part of the "Old Finland".

Olavinlinna (Swedish: Olofsborg; literally St. Olaf's Castle) is a 15th century three-tower castle located in Savonlinna, Finland. It is the world's most northern medieval stone fortress still standing.

Currently, the castle hosts several small exhibitions, including the Castle Museum which displays artifacts found in the castle or related to it, and the Orthodox Museum which displays icons and other religious artifacts both from Finland and Russia. The castle forms a spectacular stage for the Savonlinna Opera Festival, held annually in the summer since 1912.


薩翁林納 (Savonlinna)位於全歐最大湖區中心位置的薩翁林納，是緊握塞馬湖航運樞紐的主要重鎮。薩城由一組群島所組成，週圍湖水也少受污染。

五百多年前瑞典皇朝於此建立城堡，以防範來自東方的俄國侵略。及後，以貿易為主的移民在城堡四周聚集定居，薩翁林納逐漸發展成東部繁榮重鎮。

如今薩翁林納是芬蘭主要旅遊城市，城堡每年一度的大型歌劇節，更替這處美麗湖水，加添繽紛色彩。

薩翁林納城堡建於1475年的薩翁林納城堡，是北歐保存最好一座。這巍峨中古建築倒影在清幽湖水上，景致美得令人一見難忘；無論在藍天白雲下，或斜陽暮色中，也叫欣賞者迷醉不已。
* 城堡內有兩所博物館展覽以前歷史。
* 每年一度薩翁林納歌劇節，就是在此宏大內院中舉行。


References sources : wikipedia, 芬兰旅游局