Olavinlinna Castle

Work on building Olavinlinna (the castle of St Olaf), the world's northernmost medieval castle, began in 1475. Olavinlinna stands on a lake island close to the town of Savonlinna in eastern Finland. The castle's purpose was to strengthen defence of the eastern marches of the Swedish realm in the region of Savo. Construction of the castle was initiated by a Danish-born nobleman Erik Axelsson Tott. It is named after St Olaf, the patron saint of Norway and a protector of knights.

Olavinlinnaa has been occupied by Swedes and Russians in turn during lulls between skirmishes, sieges and wars. The castle has served as military fortification, barracks, prison and warehouse. Today, Olavinlinna is a popular year-round tourist destination in the heart of Finland's most beautiful lake district. It is also the home of the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival and the venue for numerous art exhibitions.