December 26, 2012 | 0 Comments

The castle Olavinlinna and the Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland

In Savonlinna, on Lake Saimaa is the castle of Olavinlinna which is perhaps the most famous of Finland. We are about 300 kilometers from Helsinki. Construction began in 1475 by the will of a Danish knight, Erik Axelsson Tott. For its appearance and its location it is very exciting. Savonlinna is still an important hub for ferries that travel across the length and breadth of the Lakelands. In fact Finland has over 180.000 lakes surveyed and many of them linked together. Why talk about Savonlinna? Besides the fact that you cannot visit it if you are planning a trip in this beautiful Scandinavian country, every summer the Savonlinna Opera Festival takes place here which is one of the most appreciated and well known to the world for the sound of the castle.

Olavinlinna Castle in Winter

Olavinlinna Castle

Having had the good fortune to experience it I can guarantee that listening to the opera within the walls of a medieval castle practically surrounded by water of a lake during the Finnish summer is something hard to forget. The festival takes place throughout the month of July each year but it is necessary to reserve tickets many months in advance even though there are more than 2,200 seats. The costs are certainly not low as the ticket to work can greatly exceed 100 euro.

Olavinlinna Castle Savonlinna

Of course to enjoy the experience I recommend you get there by boat and I assure you those are not lacking in Finland. If you do not mind the work, the cost to visit this huge castle is 8 € for adults, € 4 for children of 7 to 17 years. Under seven is free. During the Saint Olaf Day, July 29, the cost is 1 euro. Olaf is the translation of Olav of course.