Olavinlinna Castle
| The building of Olavinlinna, castle of St. Olaf, began in 1475. The Danish-born founder of the castle, knight Erik Axelsson Tott, decided that a powerful fortification should be build to protect the strategically important Savo region. The castle was supposed to repel Russian attacks from the east and to guarantee the control of the Savo region for the Swedish Crown. The history of Olavinlinna is a mixture of medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and every-day chores inside the security of the castle's thick walls. The changes in the ownership of the castle left their mark on Olavinlinna: this can be seen in the varied architecture of the castle. These days the castle's halls and rooms can be rented and used for all kinds of events. There are two small exhibitions in the castle: the Castle Museum displays artifacts found in the castle or related to it, and the Orthodox Museum displays icons and other religious artifacts both from Finland and Russia. |
Olavinlinna in summer from the west. Photo: The National Board of Antiquities.
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The Castle Day will be held in Olavinlinna Castle 24.8.2013. The happening offers historical facts and legends about the Castle for the whole family. The event will be organised as a part of the Castle to Castle project. |
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Limited new edition of nostalgic posters and postcards of Olavinlinna Castle for sale at the museum shop.
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In 2011-2014 Olavinlinna Castle is a part of a Finnish-Russian project Castle to Castle which aims to develop culture tourism and strengthen the cooperation between the countries. |
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The exhibition "If the walls could tell - pickings from the phases of the castle" features the history of the castle. |
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New Exhibition catalogue "In The Shelter of The Walls - Life in Olavinlinna Castle" for sale at the museum shop. |
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