Savonlinna

Savonlinna (,, lit. 'Castle of Savonia'; Nyslott) is a town in Finland, located in the eastern interior of the country. It lies in the Finnish Lakeland, the South Savo region. The population of Savonlinna is approximately 0, while the sub-region has a population of approximately 0. It is the most populous municipality in Finland.

Savonlinna is located in the heart of the Saimaa Lakeland, which is why it is also known as the "Capital of Saimaa". Together with Mikkeli, they are the two largest towns in the South Savo region and both are centres of the region's hospital districts. Savonlinna enclaves the municipality of Enonkoski.

Savonlinna is internationally known for its medieval St. Olaf's Castle and the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival.

History


The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle (St. Olaf's Castle). 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 "Old Finland".

In 1973 the municipality of Sääminki was consolidated with Savonlinna. In the beginning of year 2009 the municipality of Savonranta and a 31.24 km2 land strip from Enonkoski between Savonlinna and Savonranta were consolidated with Savonlinna. In the beginning of the year 2013, the municipalities of Kerimäki and Punkaharju were consolidated with Savonlinna.

Attractions
The most notable attraction in Savonlinna is the Olavinlinna castle, a 15th-century castle built on an island. Near the castle is also the Savonlinna regional museum. Some other attractions include the forest museum Lusto in the village of Punkaharju, and the Kerimäki Church in the neighboring village of Kerimäki, which is the largest wooden church in the world.

Savonlinna hosts the famous annual Savonlinna Opera Festival, which was held first time in 1912. The operas are performed on a stage built inside the Olavinlinna castle. The city has also hosted the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships since 2000.

Sports
The ice hockey team of Savonlinna, SaPKo or Savonlinnan Pallokerho, is playing in the second tier Mestis.

The top-tier volleyball team Saimaa Volley plays some of its home matches in Savonlinna. The football team Savonlinnan Työväen Palloseura (STPS), is playing in Kolmonen, the fourth tier.

Transport
Savonlinna is located 104 km east of Mikkeli, 133 km west of Joensuu and 159 km south of Kuopio. It is also 335 km from the capital city of Helsinki by road, and some four hours away by train. Flights from Savonlinna Airport to Helsinki take 40–60 minutes.

Education
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences has a campus in Savonlinna, teaching healthcare as well as process technologies. Research and development facilities include laboratories for wood processing and electronics. University of Eastern Finland had a campus in Savonlinna, primarily for teacher education. The campus was shut down in 2018.

There are two high schools in Savonlinna. One of these high schools is specialized in art subjects, which when it started its operation in 1967 was the first specialized high school in Finland as well as in all of the Nordic countries.

Twin towns — Sister cities
Savonlinna is twinned with:


 * 🇩🇪 Detmold, Germany
 * 🇸🇪 Kalmar, Sweden
 * 🇷🇺 Torzhok, Russia
 * 🇭🇺 Budavár (Budapest), Hungary

In addition, there is non-governmental cooperation with the following cities:
 * 🇮🇸 Árborg, Iceland
 * 🇳🇴 Arendal, Norway
 * Silkeborg, Denmark

Notable people

 * Hannu Aravirta, former professional hockey forward, coach for the Finnish national men's team, SM-liiga and Elitserien
 * Arto Heiskanen, professional hockey left winger
 * Kari Hietalahti, actor
 * Ere Kokkonen, film director and screenwriter
 * Hanna Kosonen, politician and ski-orienteer
 * Erik Laxmann, explorer and natural scientist
 * Ville Leino, former professional hockey forward
 * Petri Matikainen, ice hockey coach
 * Jarmo Myllys, former professional hockey goaltender, member of the 1988, 1994 and 1998 Finnish Olympic ice hockey teams
 * Pasha Pozdniakova, Finnish-Russian Playboy model and social media influencer
 * Joonas Rask, professional hockey forward for HIFK
 * Tuukka Rask, former professional hockey goaltender, member of the 2014 Finnish Olympic ice hockey team
 * Heikki Silvennoinen, actor and musician
 * Pekka Tirkkonen, ice hockey coach