Olavinlinna Castle, Finland

The Olavinlinna Castle known also as Olofsborg and St. Olaf's Castle is a medieval castle located in Savonlinna, Finland and is the world's most northern medieval castle. The castle was built by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475. It's primary function was to protect Savonia and the border between the Kingdom of Sweden-Finland and Russia. In 1743 was the the Olavinlinna Castle occupied by the Russians who rebuilt and extended it. The Russian garrison stayed in the castle until 1847.



Afterwards the Olavinlinna Castle served for a short time as a remand prison. Later it was abandoned and severely damaged by two fires in the 1860's. At the end of 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century were carried out restoration works but the castle went through more extensive restoration between 1961 and 1975. Today is the Olanvinlinna Castle open to the public as a museum but every July houses also the Savonlinna Opera Festival.