OLAVINLINNA CASTLE

Olavinlinna was built in a sparsely populated area. However, the area was of military and geographical importance, as the border crossed the area in accordance with the Pähkinäsaari Peace Treaty (1323). It was first a border between Sweden and Novgorod, then between Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. When the Grand Duchy of Moscow attempted to extend its power and began to threaten the Swedish border, a new fortification - Olavinlinna - was needed to reinforce the defense of the Swedish frontier to the east.

Olavinlinna was founded in 1475 by a Danish knight named Erik Axelsson Tott, who was governor of Vyborg Castle at the time. The castle's location was chosen from a defensive point of view: a steep, rocky islet emerges from a strong stream where two rivers meet. It was difficult for the enemy to approach the castle, and the waterways could be used to transport building materials to the islet.

Before construction of the actual stone castle could begin, it was necessary to build a wooden fortification to protect the builders, who fell victim to Russian attacks from the outset.

First of all, a so-called main castle was built. It stood on the highest side of the islet, the western side. The main castle consisted of three towers surrounded by a surrounding wall. It took around ten years before the main castle could defend itself. Immediately after completion of the main castle, construction began on the so-called bailey. The main courtyard had two towers, and the work was completed at the end of the 15th century. At that time, the castle with its five towers rising from an islet represented the most modern defensive architecture, with round towers and high perimeter walls.

The castle's defensive capacity was put to the test early on. War broke out in 1495, and the Russians launched several attacks against the castle. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle was also the object of numerous attacks. The effects of the Great Northern War were felt in the castle and, in the summer of 1714, the first change of ownership took place when the castle capitulated to the Russians after a fierce siege. There was some disagreement as to who actually owned the castle. As a result, in the Uusikaupunki peace treaty of 1721, the castle was returned to the Swedes. After numerous battles in the 18th century, the Turku Peace Treaty of 1743 made Russia the castle's owner. The Russians undertook major construction work to improve the castle's defense. The rectangular bastions bear witness to this period.

A garrison was stationed there until 1847, although the castle lost its military importance during the Finnish War, when Finland was annexed to Russia (1809). When military activity came to an end, the castle was used for a short time as a prison. After this, the castle was abandoned and gradually began to acquire a reputation as a tourist attraction.

The complete repair of the castle became a burning issue in the 1870s, just after two serious fires had raged through the castle. The castle's function was also debated, and the state began to treat the castle as an antique.

Olavinlinna soon became a major tourist attraction and a popular venue for festivities. In the summer of 1912, opera singer Aino Ackté organized the first of five opera festivals. These were the predecessors of Savonlinna's contemporary annual opera festival, which began in 1967.

Restoration of the castle took place in the late 19th and 20th centuries. However, the last large-scale restoration began in 1961 and was completed in 1975, just in time for the castle's 500th anniversary. After that, only minor annual repairs were necessary. Today, Olavinlinna is one of Finland's best-known tourist sites, and many events are held in its restored halls and rooms.

Olavinlinna.net

Web pages presenting Olavinlinna Castle created by students at Savonlinna University Practical School.