Between workdays, I usually have a day-off. This day wouldn’t have been any special if this did not occur.

Life is unpredictable.

I have learnt this fact by heart, but never stopped getting amazed by how spontaneous the world turns around me.

The story starts when I came back to Lappeenranta for a random visit. I met my friend there – one of the last who were still staying in the city during summer. I found out she was about to depart in 10 days’ time.

“I think in these last days, you should visit the castle in Savonlinna. It’s one of the most beautiful castles in Finland” – I started. I knew about this place since winter, and through my friend Kristiina, who was going to have her marathon there in July.

One thing led to another, and I realized that from my workplace to Savonlinna is only 50 minutes by bus. And the trip can be managed in one day.

And finally, we had a plan.

Juva – Savonlinna – Juva, 18/07/19

The first bus leaves from Juva at 11:55 am, so we had the whole morning for breakfast, running – I showed her around the town – and a light lunch. After almost an hour, it arrived in a much bigger and more beautiful city – Savonlinna.

A part of Savonlinna’s city center

In contrary with the small town where I’m staying, Savonlinna appears to have a perfect summer vibes.

Skirts, shorts, and flower dresses.

Ice cream kiosks everywhere.

Coffee shop, beer club by-the-lake, and summer fair.

Music concert by the lake, and food, lots of food.

Nothing can make summer as amazing as an ice cream cone

Our main target, Olavinlinna – St. Olaf’s castle, is only 2km from the city center. It situates next to the Savonlinna museum and the great Saimaa Lake.

A part of Olavinlinna

What is special about Olavinlinna?

  1. Most of the time,  the castle didn’t belong to Finnish people. Built by Swedes, being captured and returned several times by Russians, Olavinlinna finally became a part of Finland in the XX history, when the country claimed its independence.
  2. Olavinlinna is nowadays the only stone castle that survives in the northernmost Europe. The rest have been vanished by war and natural epidemics.
  3. Olavinlinna opens only during summer time, and is the host of many opera events throughout July. If you are a fan of classics, then spend one night at this historical stage, which has been around for almost 600 years.
The keep; many fire has happened throughout the history, and burned down many important parts of the castle
There are three towers in Olavinlinna nowadays; before, two were destroyed during battles
The inner hallway to the towers, which can stand against canon attacks
A view from one tower
The coolest toilet of Medieval time. At Olavinlinna, the entrance ticket costs 8 euros for students, and there will be free English tour guide every hour.
Some wish-coins. In the 90s, the Finnish government had considered Olavinlinna to be its national treasure, and conducted a full-scale reservation
Next to Olavinlinna, there is Savonlinna museum, or Rihisaari museo in Finnish, which exhibits the modern arts, as well as the habitats in Savo – Saimaa area

The end of our short journey

The whole trip was actually quite short – it took us less than 4 hours to visit everything – the beautiful city center, Olavinlinna and the nearby museum. As the last bus left from Savonlinna at 16:55, we couldn’t stay for much longer.

When I’m writing this article, we are sharing probably the last moments together in Finland. I don’t know what the future holds, nor when we will ever meet again. But also, life is unpredictable.

Dedicated for you, Martine: Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that one day, someone will actually come visit me in this small Juva town. You have made my week. Thank you, and we shall see each other again. The world is small you know 😉

We at Savonlinna, 07/2019

Khanh Tr.