Savonlinna Nyslott | |
|---|---|
| Savonlinnan kaupunki Nyslotts stad | |
 Harbour of Savonlinna in 2009. | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: Capital of Saimaa[1] | |
 Location of Savonlinna inFinland | |
| Coordinates:61°52′05″N028°53′10″E / 61.86806°N 28.88611°E /61.86806; 28.88611 | |
| Country |  Finland |
| Region | South Savo |
| Sub-region | Savonlinna |
| Charter | 1639 |
| Government | |
| • Town manager | Markus Hämäläinen |
| Area (2018-01-01)[2] | |
• Total | 3,597.70 km2 (1,389.08 sq mi) |
| • Land | 2,237.87 km2 (864.05 sq mi) |
| • Water | 762.62 km2 (294.45 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 27th largest in Finland |
| Population (2025-06-30)[3] | |
• Total | 31,283 |
| • Rank | 36th largest in Finland |
| • Density | 13.98/km2 (36.2/sq mi) |
| Population by native language | |
| • Finnish | 94.2% (official) |
| • Swedish | 0.1% |
| • Others | 5.7% |
| Population by age | |
| • 0 to 14 | 11.6% |
| • 15 to 64 | 55.6% |
| • 65 or older | 32.8% |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) |
| Website | www |
Savonlinna (UK:/ˌsɑːvɒnˈlɪnə/,[7]Finnish:[ˈsɑʋonˌlinːɑ],lit. 'Castle ofSavo';Swedish:Nyslott,lit. 'New Castle') is atown inFinland, located in the eastern interior of the country. It lies in theFinnish Lakeland, theSouth Savo region.[8] The population of Savonlinna is approximately 31,000, while thesub-region has a population of approximately 38,000. It is the 36th most populousmunicipality in Finland.
Savonlinna is located in the heart of theSaimaa Lakeland, which is why it is also known as the "Capital of Saimaa".[1] Together withMikkeli, they are the two largest towns in the South Savo region and both are centres of the region'shospital districts. Savonlinna enclaves the municipality ofEnonkoski.
Savonlinna is internationally known for its medievalSt. Olaf's Castle and the annualSavonlinna Opera Festival.[9]
The city was founded in 1639, based onOlavinlinna castle (St. Olaf's Castle). The castle was founded byErik Axelsson Tott in 1475 in an effort to protectSavo and to control the unstable border between the Kingdom ofSweden and itsRussian adversary.[10][11] During theRusso-Swedish War (1741–1743), the castle was captured by Field-MarshalPeter Lacy. It was held by Russia between 1743 and 1812, when it was granted back to Finland as a part of "Old Finland".
In 1973 the municipality ofSääminki was consolidated with Savonlinna.[citation needed] In the beginning of year 2009 the municipality ofSavonranta and a 31.24 km2 (12.06 sq mi) land strip fromEnonkoski between Savonlinna and Savonranta were consolidated with Savonlinna.[citation needed] In the beginning of the year 2013, the municipalities ofKerimäki andPunkaharju were consolidated with Savonlinna.[citation needed]
The most notable attraction in Savonlinna is theOlavinlinna castle, a 15th-century castle built on an island. Near the castle is also the Savonlinna regional museum. Some other attractions include the forest museumLusto in the village of Punkaharju, and theKerimäki Church in the neighboring village of Kerimäki, which is the largest wooden church in the world.
Savonlinna hosts the famous annualSavonlinna Opera Festival, which was held first time in 1912.[12] Theoperas are performed on a stage built inside the Olavinlinna castle. The city has also hosted theMobile Phone Throwing World Championships since 2000.
| Climate data for Savonlinna Punkaharju Laukansaari (1991–2020, extremes 1959–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 6.9 (44.4) | 8.7 (47.7) | 14.1 (57.4) | 22.5 (72.5) | 28.9 (84.0) | 32.8 (91.0) | 32.6 (90.7) | 32.3 (90.1) | 27.5 (81.5) | 18.3 (64.9) | 11.7 (53.1) | 8.9 (48.0) | 32.8 (91.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −4.5 (23.9) | −4.4 (24.1) | 0.9 (33.6) | 7.3 (45.1) | 14.6 (58.3) | 19.3 (66.7) | 22.0 (71.6) | 19.9 (67.8) | 14.1 (57.4) | 7.0 (44.6) | 1.4 (34.5) | −2.2 (28.0) | 8.0 (46.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −7.4 (18.7) | −7.7 (18.1) | −3.3 (26.1) | 2.6 (36.7) | 9.4 (48.9) | 14.5 (58.1) | 17.3 (63.1) | 15.5 (59.9) | 10.5 (50.9) | 4.5 (40.1) | −0.6 (30.9) | −4.5 (23.9) | 4.2 (39.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −10.6 (12.9) | −11.3 (11.7) | −7.5 (18.5) | −1.7 (28.9) | 4.4 (39.9) | 10.0 (50.0) | 13.3 (55.9) | 12.0 (53.6) | 7.5 (45.5) | 2.3 (36.1) | −2.5 (27.5) | −7.2 (19.0) | 0.7 (33.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −40.2 (−40.4) | −38.0 (−36.4) | −33.2 (−27.8) | −22.6 (−8.7) | −10.2 (13.6) | −0.5 (31.1) | 4.7 (40.5) | −0.3 (31.5) | −4.4 (24.1) | −11.3 (11.7) | −25.9 (−14.6) | −36.0 (−32.8) | −40.2 (−40.4) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 42 (1.7) | 34 (1.3) | 35 (1.4) | 29 (1.1) | 42 (1.7) | 62 (2.4) | 69 (2.7) | 78 (3.1) | 62 (2.4) | 62 (2.4) | 52 (2.0) | 52 (2.0) | 619 (24.4) |
| Average precipitation days | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 121 |
| Source 1: FMI normals 1991-2020[13] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Record highs and lows 1959- present[14] | |||||||||||||
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The ice hockey team of Savonlinna,SaPKo or Savonlinnan Pallokerho, is playing in the second tierMestis.
The top-tiervolleyball teamSaimaa Volley plays some of its home matches in Savonlinna. The football teamSavonlinnan Työväen Palloseura (STPS), is playing inKolmonen, the fourth tier.
Savonlinna is located 104 kilometres (65 mi) east ofMikkeli, 133 kilometres (83 mi) west ofJoensuu and 159 kilometres (99 mi) south ofKuopio. It is also 335 kilometres (208 mi) from the capital city ofHelsinki by road, and some four hours away by train. Flights fromSavonlinna Airport to Helsinki take 40–60 minutes.
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences has a campus in Savonlinna, teaching healthcare as well as process technologies. Research and development facilities include laboratories for wood processing and electronics.[15]University of Eastern Finland had a campus in Savonlinna, primarily for teacher education. The campus was shut down in 2018.[16]
There are two high schools in Savonlinna. One of these high schools is specialized in art subjects, which when it started its operation in 1967 was the first specialized high school inFinland as well as in all of theNordic countries.[17]
Savonlinna istwinned with:[18]
Detmold, Germany
Kalmar, Sweden
Torzhok, Russia
Budavár (Budapest), HungaryIn addition, there is non-governmental cooperation with the following cities:[18]
Media related toSavonlinna at Wikimedia Commons
Savonlinna travel guide from WikivoyagePlaces adjacent to Savonlinna | |
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