Olavinlinna

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Olavinlinna ( swedish Olofsborg, German Olaf castle, formerly Nyslott ) is a medieval castle. It is located in the Finnish town of Savonlinna. Today, she is considered the best preserved medieval castle in Northern Europe.

Location

Olavinlinna is a lowland castle. It is located in south-eastern Finland in the middle of the Lake District in the Saimaa lake system. Built on the rocky islet Kyrönsaari, it is Pihlajavesi and the river Kyrönsalmi separated by the sea from the mainland. Despite its northerly location, the fast flowing water freezes rarely what used to simplified the defense. A pontoon bridge that leads to the town of Savonlinna upstream and turn over a bridge to reach small island, is the only access from the mainland.

Olavinlinna together with the Pihlajavesi one of the 27 landscapes in Finland.

History

Beginning of the 14th century, when Finland was still part of the Swedish kingdom, was placed in the Treaty of Nöteborg the border between Sweden and the Russian State Novgorod across Karelia. Exact terms were missing in the largely untapped Savo region, however, which is why the only protected by a castle in Vyborg, eastern border of Sweden - Finland remained competitive. To enhance the security and control of important waterways decided to Sweden to build another castle. Olavinlinna was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott and named after Saint Olof. Construction began in 1475th

Ivan III. had the castle built in 1495 and in 1496 besieged twice in vain. Also during King Gustav's war against Russia (1555-1557) held the castle instead of numerous attacks of the enemy. Only during the Great Northern War (1700-1721), the Swedish soldiers had in 1714 after a long siege give the Russians, since food and ammunition had run out. 1721 received the Swedes the castle by the Peace of Nystad back. However, the castle in 1743 by the Treaty of Åbo, 22 years later, the Russo- Swedish War ( 1741-1743 ) ended, went back into the hands of the Russians.

After the Russo- Swedish War (1808-1809) Sweden lost control of Finland. 1809 the Grand Duchy of Finland was proclaimed as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire. Olavinlinna thereby lost its military importance. The Russian soldiers left in 1847 the castle.

After that, the castle served as a prison for some years. In the 1860s, however, two fire caused extensive damage, which is why the castle for the time being remained without function. Finally made ​​first restoration in the 19th century, a thorough renovation was carried out in 1961 to 1975. Just in time for the 500 - year anniversary of the castle they were concluded. Since then Olavinlinna is open to the public.

Current usage

1912, the castle was discovered as a venue for the Savonlinna Opera Festival by Aino Ackté and after 37- year break in 1967 revived by the tenor Peter Klein. Since then, every year in July, the festival takes place in the courtyard, which is covered during these weeks with a rain tarp. The rest of the year Olavinlinna is a tourist attraction that can be visited without restrictions. Interior furniture of earlier barely exists, so the rooms accommodate two smaller exhibitions. One is from Orthodox icons and religious artifacts from Finland and Russia, the other various artifacts from the castle and its surroundings.

Some of the rooms - inter alia the Linnantupa (Eng. Great Hall ), the Kuninkaansali (Eng. King's Hall ) and the ecumenical Chapel - can be rented for weddings, parties, seminars and other events.

Plant

The first phase lasted about ten years. In this the main castle was built, which rises on the western and higher part of the island. It consisted of three towers ( bell tower, steeple, St. Erik's Tower ), which were connected by surrounding walls. With its completion Olavinlinna was prepared for defense. In the next construction phase, which began immediately afterwards, the bailey was constructed, which contained two other towers. By the end of the 15th century, the construction work was completed in a residential installation. The castle had at that time five round towers and high walls.

Beginning of the 18th century was one of the first three towers, St. Erik's Tower, either looped or collapsed by itself. With the takeover of the castle by the Russians in 1743 began new construction work to improve the defenses. It originated among others the angular bastions.

Within Olavinlinna there is not a single well, which is unique for a really built for defensive purposes castle. Water for daily use had to be fetched from the surrounding waters earlier. Both the church tower and the bell tower are equipped since the 15th century with abortion bay windows because they served at that time as residential towers. This bay are considered the earliest directly attached toilets in the living area of the North European area.