This amazing Finnish resort of Savonlinna is a fairytale city. And this is not an exaggeration. Even its location is unusual. It spreads over four islands, as if coming to us from a myth or saga. And its amazingly transparent lakes Pihlajavesi and Haapavesi frame it. A long time ago this city became a dream for tourists. And insanely beautiful nature, and proud antiquity as if united Savonlinna. Its sights are all the more widely heard that every summer in July there is a famous festival where opera singers come to sing for the audience in a real castle, shrouded in medieval glory. In August, the ballet festival is celebrated.
This fortress called Olavlinna was a border fort between Sweden and Russia, and was erected at the end of the fifteenth century. Around the fortification quickly emerged became a city thanks to Count Per Brahe. This is the present Savonlinna. Its sights have been known since the century before last. Then the trips to the lakes became fashionable, and the local waters - especially the Kazinosaari Spa - gained the fame of healing. In the same century, a shipping canal was built along which passenger ships began to sail. The wealthy residents of St. Petersburg, in order not to ride far to Baden-Baden or Switzerland, preferred to go here - good, not far.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the first opera festival was organized here. The mysterious walls of the ancient fortress and the written beauty of the mirror surface of the lakes are very disposed to a thoughtful perception of serious music. Now lovers of opera from all over the world know this name - Savonlinna. The sights of these places attract tourists, and the town, in which there are only thirty thousand inhabitants, in the season is a very crowded settlement. But even if you are not a music lover, the monumental beauty of this most amazing Scandinavian castle will still captivate your imagination. Museums where antiquities and
ancient weapons are exhibited
, real warships on the pier at the fortress (you can also visit them) - all this is extremely interesting. In addition, right at the castle there is a beach where in the summer you can swim in the background of beautiful (and moreover real) medieval scenery. If you love pristine wildlife, you will also like Savonlinna. Sights of lakes and forests in the summer can be viewed in different ways. On foot, by bike, by boat, by kayak - active travelers will find something to do. Well, if you do not really like this way of relaxation, or you have small children, then you can admire the stunning beauty of Lake Saimaa and its islands from the deck of a cruise ship. If you are lucky, you will see seals or even an endangered Finnish seal. It also has everything you need for fishing enthusiasts, and in winter the
water surface turns into a wonderful skating rink.
Not only the city of Savonlinna is good for tourism and travel. Attractions on the map of the region are quite numerous. It is worth mentioning at least the national parks Kolovesi and Linnansaari, which occupy the territory of nearby lakes and islands. Also nearby is Punkaraju where there are underground caves. And after the excursions, you can leisurely walk along the peaceful streets of the old resort, eat local donut-tarts, have a beer in a special restaurant, or go shopping on the Olavinkatu shopping street. By the way, things of the popular Marimekko brand in Savonlinna can be bought at a discount - after all, there is his factory warehouse.