We had a mediation congress in Savonlinna with Juha in June. Juha is the head of the South Carelian mediation office and I'm a volunteer mediator. Savonlinna is a beautiful town and it's very special to us. When we lived in Sulkava (eigth years ago) we could go to Savonlinna twice a week to swim and enjoy the life in a bigger place. In Sulkava we lived in a beautiful small village called Lohilahti.The congress was held in Spa Hotel Casino. It's right in downtown on an island. It's a beautiful place. Look at the view from our hotel room. That little bridge takes you to downtown.
The congress was held in this building. It's the old Casino. I like the architecture of that.
When you are in Savonlinna it's an absolut must to visit the Olavinlinna castle. I LOVE IT! I've visited it many times. Last time was with my pupils on our way back from the camp school.
The building of Olavinlinna, castle of St. Olaf, began in 1475. The Danish-born founder of the castle, knight Erik Axelsson Tott, decided that a powerful fortification should be build to protect the strategically important Savo region. The castle was supposed to repel Russian attacks from the east and to guarantee the control of the Savo region for the Swedish Crown. The history of Olavinlinna is a mixture of medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and every-day chores inside the security of the castle’s thick walls. (http://www.nba.fi/en/olavinlinna_castle)
Savonlinna opera festival is held in the castle. As a big opera lover I've always wanted to go to that festival but never had the opprtunity yet. That's definately something I'm going to do some day. Here you can see the rain roof they had to build on top of the inner court so that the rain won't stop the opera.
Here's the view from he castle:
This visit to Savonlinna was very special to me. The congress was good, we had so much fun with other mediators (didn't even use the spa at all even tough we love swimming - our girls couldn't understand that at all - but we just had so much more fun talking with people) and we got to go to a boat ride which I've never experienced before in Savonlinna. That means I saw the castle from the lake too this time! 
If you ever visit Finland, go to visit Savonlinna too. And if you love opera, visit Savonlinna Opera Festival!
3 comments:
These are beautiful pictures. I would love to visit here. Thanks for sharing.
leo and i were there in 1991 ... we stayed the night in a dorm room, that was rented out for the summer ... we both LOVED the tour of the castle!!!! and i remember my mom singing that Linna Olavin, song back in the 50's - i always thought it so sad and the tragedy of lost love would make me daydream for hours ...
Saija, it's a beautiful song - sad, but beautiful. For me it's so interesting to hear about the life in medieval castle. Life sure was different!
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