OLAVINLINNA CASTLE
Read moreBuilt in 1475 on the orders of the Danish knight Erik Axelsonn Tott and intended to protect the Savo region from Russian incursions, the castle was occupied repeatedly from the 1710s until the country's independence in 1917. Its massive granite walls with loopholes, its ramparts topped by 3 round towers and its keep evoke the world of the Middle Ages. It is the best preserved medieval fortress in the Nordic countries. The opera festival, which is held every year in July, has a site that is as lyrical as it gets.
HÄMEENLINNA CASTLE
This magnificent medieval castle has been well restored and is now a ...Read more
TURUN LINNA - TURKU CASTLE
Read moreTurunlinna Castle was built in 1280 to defend the Hanseatic city of Turku. It is one of Finland's most important historical monuments. The passages, halls and chapels of the main castle bear witness to the fascinating history of Turku, Finland, Sweden and other Nordic countries.
The castle church dates back to the early 18th century.
The powerful grey granite structure comprises two main buildings joined by two massive towers. On view is a large exhibition on the castle's chronology through the centuries, featuring medieval sculptures in the nuns' chapel and the Sturen church, royal visits, court pomp, the prison... Since 1881, the castle's secondary enclosure has housed a museum devoted to the history of the town and to popular arts and traditions between the 17th and 19th centuries. Also worth seeing is the collection of weapons and jewelry, as well as a series of beautiful period garments. Allow at least 2 hours for your visit, as the castle is huge (but you won't get lost, as many guides in medieval dress are on hand to help you). Children are not forgotten during the visit, with disguises available for them to play the squire. To better understand the history of the site and the town, we still recommend that you take the tour with a recommended guide. Audioguide in French (via smartphone). Temporary exhibitions. Café-restaurant on site.