The towers
Round with conical roofs.
Teemu Mökkönen — CC BY 4.0 · Jan Ainali — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ainar Riigov — CC BY 3.0 · Mikkoau — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Teuvo Salmenjoki — CC BY-SA 4.0
Olavinlinna, or St. Olaf's Castle, is a 15th-century three-tower stone castle in the town of Savonlinna in eastern Finland. It stands on an island in the Kyrönsalmi strait, which links the lakes Haukivesi and Pihlajavesi, almost in the middle of town. Erik Axelsson Tott founded it in 1475, the three-towered keep was finished in 1485 and the outer walls in 1495. It is the northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing and the best preserved medieval castle of the old Swedish realm. Since 1912 the Savonlinna Opera Festival has used it as a summer stage. Round grey stone towers with conical roofs rise over dark blue water, with walls ringing the edge of the island. Visitors cross a floating bridge to reach it, the castle mirrors in the lake on calm days, and in winter the water freezes around it. Guided tours run inside, and the tower stairs are narrow and steep. In July the castle fills with opera audiences, so book early if you want to see a performance.
Round with conical roofs.
The way in.
On the lake.
Island in the Kyrönsalmi strait, Savonlinna, Finland
In summer, busiest in July.
Narrow and steep.