Despite its small size, Savonlinna has something to offer even to bored tourists. The town looks like the whole of Northern Europe in miniature: there is an old castle, cathedrals, cobbled streets, and wooden town houses.

The Dome Cathedral

The city Dome Cathedral (Pappilankatu, 8) was badly damaged during the war, in the 90s of the last century it was repaired, restored and equipped with a new, 45-voice organ. From June 6 to August 21, the cathedral is open to the public daily from 11:00 to 19:00, and at other times of the year – during the hours of services that take place on Sundays at 10:00, and during the hours of church music concerts that are held on Wednesdays At 12:00.

Linnakatu Street

The role of the tourist promenade is performed in Savonlinna by Linnakatu Street. At the age of 18, it was central in the city, houses built in the 19th century have been preserved on it, which allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of the old life, and numerous boutiques of famous brands, cozy cafes and souvenir shops remind you that the 21st century is in the yard with its own problems, rules and traditions. See Educationvv for education and training in Finland.

On the same street there are several exhibition halls offering to get acquainted with the creations of contemporary Finnish designers, usually somewhat idiosyncratic, but considered all over the world as a model of functionality and a modern approach to design art.

The two most notable buildings on the street are No. 27, the oldest wooden building in the city (1820), and No. 32, the first stone building, built in 1910.

To add summer experiences to the rather harsh climate of this region, you can visit the Kesamaa water park.

Savonlinna Fortress

All year round the fortress and its two museums, which have an extensive collection of weapons and art treasures, are open to the public (off site). It is interesting that some of the premises of the fortress are rented out for meetings and symposiums, and it is quite funny to see in the old halls the presentations of projects and works devoted to modern problems of the development of information and communication technologies, the use of the latest methods of processing raw materials or the creation of new vehicles. Entrance: 10 EUR, children from 7 to 17 years old – 5 EUR, up to 7 years old – free of charge.

Museums

The doors of city museums are also open to guests. First of all, these are the Museum of Local Lore and the Museum of Fishing. Moreover, the first one is located on the island of Riihisaari (Riihisaari), in the building of 1852, which was originally used as a grain granary. Many interesting documents and curious exhibits contain their collections, which will help to better understand the features of the life of the region. Another interesting museum has more than 2,000 exhibits, and all of them are dolls. Unique porcelain beauties, made back in the 18th century, and modern long-legged plastic creatures amaze with their dissimilarity to each other and suggest that there is something mysterious in the dolls.

Around Savonlinna

A visit to the surroundings of Savonlinna will make the idea of ​​life in this region of Finland more complete. Tourists are waiting here not only for the amazingly beautiful coastal landscapes, but also for a wide variety of natural and man-made attractions.

Wooden church

20 km from Savonlinna stands the world’s largest wooden church, which can accommodate up to 3,000 people. It was built in 1847 and is still in operation today. You can visit the church from June to August daily, and in other months it opens by reservation for groups. Sunday mass is traditionally held on Sundays at 10:00.

Park “Linnansaari”

Linnansaari Park is located 47 km from Savonlinna (off. site in English). On its territory of 3600 hectares there are more than a hundred islands. Many species of animals live here, and the pride of the park is the Saimaa seal, whose population in the world is only about 250 pieces. On the island of Linnansaari there are marked hiking trails and a campsite where you can set up tents.

Punkaharja Range

A special place in the list of natural attractions of the region is occupied by the Punkaharja ridge. It was formed during the ice age and is a narrow strip of land about 7 km long between two lakes – Puruvesi and Pihlajavesi. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the ridge has become a favorite vacation spot for the Finnish nobility and wealthy residents of St. Petersburg. Much water has flown under the bridge since then, many political events have passed, but the interest in Punhakarya is still great. Here, in addition to stunning landscapes that are not found anywhere else in the world, tourists are waiting for marked routes and everything necessary for accommodation and recreation.

Aquapark Kesamaa

And to add summer impressions to the rather harsh climate of this region, you can visit the Kesamaa water park. There are not only standard water attractions, but also artificial reservoirs for boat rowing, a swimming pool, cafes, and shops. The park is open from June 6 to June 18 daily from 12:00 to 17:00; from June 19 to August 1 daily from 10:00 to 17:00; from August 2 to August 15 daily from 12:00 to 17:00. Ticket price from June 6 to 18 and from August 2 to August 15: 16 EUR, and from June 19 to August 1 – 18 EUR. A family ticket costs 59 EUR, pensioners – 8 EUR, evening ticket (from 16:00 to 19:00) – 14 EUR.

Manor “Rauhalinna”

Literally, the “lace” mansion was built at the very beginning of the 20th century as a gift for a silver wedding. An officer of the tsarist army, General Niels Beckmann, gave it to his beloved wife Alma. The fairy-tale manor can be visited in the town of Lehtiniemi, which is 16 km from Savonlinna.