Savonlinna

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Savonlinna
Nyslott
Town
Savonlinnan kaupunki
The marina of Savonlinna
The marina of Savonlinna
Coat of arms of Savonlinna
Coat of arms
Location of Savonlinna in Finland
Location of Savonlinna in Finland
Country  Finland
Region Southern Savonia
Sub-region Savonlinna sub-region
Charter 1639
Government
 • Town manager Janne Laine
Area (2011-01-01)[1]
 • Total 1,973.13 km2 (761.83 sq mi)
 • Land 1,210.51 km2 (467.38 sq mi)
 • Water 762.62 km2 (294.45 sq mi)
Area rank 43rd largest in Finland
Population (2016-03-31)[2]
 • Total 35,504
 • Rank 40th largest in Finland
 • Density 29.33/km2 (76.0/sq mi)
Population by native language[3]
 • Finnish 97.7% (official)
 • Swedish 0.1%
 • Others 2.2%
Population by age[4]
 • 0 to 14 13.7%
 • 15 to 64 64.5%
 • 65 or older 21.8%
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Municipal tax rate[5] 20.5%
Website www.savonlinna.fi

Savonlinna (Swedish: Nyslott) is a town and a municipality of 35,504 (31 March 2016)[2] inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle".

History

The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. The castle was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475 in an effort to protect Savonia and to control the unstable border between the Kingdom of Sweden and its Russian adversary. During the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743), the castle was captured by Field-Marshal Peter Lacy. It was held by Russia between 1743 and 1812, when it was granted back to Finland as a part of the "Old Finland".

In 1973 the municipality of Sääminki was consolidated with Savonlinna. In the beginning of year 2009 the municipality of Savonranta and a 31.24 km2 (12.06 sq mi) land strip from Enonkoski between Savonlinna and Savonranta were consolidated with Savonlinna.

Transport

This town is 335 kilometres (208 mi) away from the capital of Helsinki by road, some four hours away by train. There is an airport in the town, and the journey to Helsinki takes 40–60 minutes by plane. It is built on a chain of islands located throughout a number of large lakes.

Education

The University of Eastern Finland has a campus in Savonlinna, primarily for teacher education.

Attractions

File:Olavinlinna 1998.jpg
Olavinlinna is a 15th-century three-tower castle.

The city hosts the famous annual Savonlinna Opera Festival. The operas are performed on a stage built inside the castle. It also has hosted the Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships annually since 2000.

Sports

The ice hockey team of Savonlinna, SaPKo or Savonlinnan Pallokerho, is playing in the second tier Mestis. Notable SaPKo alumni include Jarmo Myllys, Ville Leino, Tuukka Rask (Boston Bruins) and Hannu Aravirta. One notable hockey player from the city who did not play for SaPKo is Joonas Rask of HIFK and formerly the Nashville Predators, younger brother of Tuukka.

The top-tier volleyball team Saimaa Volley plays some of its home matches in Savonlinna. The football team Savonlinnan Työväen Palloseura (STPS), is playing in Kolmonen, the fourth tier.

International relations

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Finland

Twin towns — Sister cities

Savonlinna is twinned with:[6]

References

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External links

Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons

Picture gallery

  • Savonlinna from bridge.jpeg

    Olavinlinna castle seen from the railway bridge.

  • Savonlinnan tuomiokirkko 1 AB.JPG

    Savonlinna Cathedral is an Evangelical Lutheran Church

  • Salama in Savonlinna.JPG

    The Salama boat moored in port of Savonlinna Provincial Museum.

  • Rauhalinna summer.jpg

    Rauhalinna villa is located in Lehtiniemi

  • Kerimaki church exterior.jpg

    Kerimäki Church is the biggest wooden church in the world.

  • Savonlinna Museo 1.JPG

    Savonlinna Provincial Museum

  • Lusto is a national forest museum is located in Punkaharju

  • Savonlinna Airport AB.JPG

    Savonlinna Airport

  • Boat Houses.jpg

    Boat houses in Kerimäki

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