Opening times
- Monday
- Suljettu
- Tuesday
- 10 — 16
- Wednesday
- 10 — 16
- Thursday
- 10 — 16
- Friday
- 10 — 16
- Saturday
- 10 — 16
- Sunday
- 10 — 16
Tickets
Groups over 10 persons/students/conscripts/senior citizens € 10
Children 7-17 years € 7
Family ticket (1-2 adults and 1-4 children) € 35
Under 7 years old free of charge
Contact
Services
Events
Events at Olavinlinna Castle
Kekri Fest
10.10.2026 – 10.10.2026
The Kekri Fest, traditional autumn fest is coming again. We will tell more later.
Christmas Market
12.12.2026 – 12.12.2026
Beloved Christmas market will be held at December 12 this year. We will give more information later.
Exhibitions
Abraham Pistolekors’ armour
The armour of Abraham Pistolekors, once the greatest man in Savo, the chief of Olavinlinna Castle, has arrived home. The..
Olavinlinna Permanent Exhibition
The new permanent exhibition features the history of the castle through 3D-replicas, tangible objects and miniature models. Exhibition also includes..
Olavinlinna Castle Exhibition “If the walls could tell”
Exhibition “If the walls could tell – pickings from the phases of the castle” tells about the defence use of..
History
Olavinlinna Castle was built into a scarcely populated area. However, the area was of military and geographic importance, since the borderline went through the area in accordance with the Peace Treaty of Pähkinäsaari (1323). First it was a borderline between Sweden and Novgorod, later between Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. When the Grand Duchy of Moscow tried to extend its power and started to threaten the Swedish border, a new fortification – Olavinlinna – was needed to strengthen the defence of Sweden’s border in the east.
Accessibility
Olavinlinna was built for defensive purposes in 1475 on the rocky island of Kyrönsalmi, in a location designed to be as inaccessible as possible. The castle courtyard is paved with uneven natural stones; the stairs are steep; some doorways are narrow and low; and the interior is labyrinthine, with many level changes and thresholds. Due to the castle’s great cultural and historical value, it is nearly impossible to alter its historical structures. The Antiquities Act prohibits any alteration to the historic site. However, we are actively seeking solutions, within the limits of our resources, to improve the castle’s accessibility.
Saint Olav
At first, Saint Olav became the patron saint of all of Norway, but the cult of Olav spread fairly quickly to other parts of the Nordic region and reached the territory of present-day Finland. At least judging by the number of church buildings dedicated to him, Saint Olav was, alongside the Virgin Mary, Finland’s most popular saint in the mid-13th century. St. Olav became the most popular saint among the common people in the Nordic countries; here he was regarded as a mighty and protective king who, with his sword in hand, provided safety and shelter.
Today, St. Olav is naturally remembered for Olavinlinna Castle, but also for other monuments erected in his honor. The St. Olav Main Route runs from Turku through Ulvila to Savonlinna and is part of the broader St. Olav Pilgrimage Route.
