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SAVONLINNA |
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Leisurely draped across islands, SAVONLINNA is one of the most
relaxed towns in Finland, a woodworking centre that also makes a decent
living from tourism and its renowned annual opera festival (
www.operafestival.fi ) in July. It's packed throughout summer and if you
haven't booked well ahead don't expect to find somewhere to stay.
However, out of peak season its streets and beaches are uncluttered, and
the town's easy-going mood makes it a pleasant place to linger.
The best locations for soaking up the atmosphere are the harbour and
market square ( kauppatori ) at the end of Olavinkatu, where you can
cast an eye over the grand Seurahuone Hotel , with its Art Nouveau
fripperies, facing the market hall ( kauppahalli ). Follow the harbour
around Linnankatu, or better still around the sandy edge of Pihlajavesi,
which brings you to atmospheric and surprisingly well-preserved
Olavinlinna Castle (daily: June to mid-Aug 10am-5pm; rest of year
10am-3pm; visits by hourly guided tours only; ¬3.40), perched on a small
island. After being founded in 1475, the castle witnessed a series of
bloody conflicts until the Russians claimed possession of it in 1743 and
relegated it to being the town jail. Nearby is the Savonlinna Regional
Museum (July daily 10am-6pm; Aug daily 11am-5pm; Sept-June Tues-Sun
11am-5pm; ¬3.40), which occupies an old granary and displays an
intriguing account of the evolution of local life, with rock paintings
and ancient amber carved with human figures.
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