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Home to the most imposing castle in Scandinavia...
Beautifully situated on two islands between Lake Haapavesi and Lake Pihlajavesi, Savonlinna is an attractive town with an imposing medieval castle and a lively opera festival every July.
Savonlinna castle is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Scandinavia. Founded in 1475, it was occupied by the Russians from 1743 to the first half of the 20th century. Today, the castle hosts two museums that outline its history and display its orthodox treasures. Three historic ships, the Savonlinna, the Salama and the Mikko are moored alongside the museum - each housing exhibitions. Take a trip out to see Rauhalinna Villa, a romantic wooden-latticed lakeside villa built in 1900 by an officer in the Tsars army for his wife. The villa lies in a beautiful setting 16 kilometres north of the town and is now an excellent restaurant and hotel. Take a boat to the villa from Savonlinna harbour. Savonlinna is a great base from which to enjoy some spectacular cruises. Boats leave daily to cruise around the castle, to the Rauhalinna villa and around the archipelago. Alternatively, hire a bicycle and tour the quiet country lanes and lakes around the town.
For the month of July, Savonlinna castle is the setting for the most renowned and popular festival in Finland - the Opera Festival. Held in the courtyard of the castle, it is a four-week festival of high-class opera attracting top international performers and is well worth an attendance. Head for the lively kauppatori (market) for some excellent Finnish handicrafts and enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants around it.
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