More information: https://visitsavonlinna.fi/en/st-olav-cultural-route/ https://pyhanolavinkilta.blogspot.com/ http://pyhanolavinmannerreitti.fi/

Contact information:

St. Olav’s Guild

[email protected] St. Olav’s Cultural Route Developing the route has been made possible by grants from the Ministry of Education and Culture in the Savonlinna Region for development projects in art and culture travel In the Footsteps of St. Olav in Savonlinna The influence of the most important saint of the North still reaches Riihisaari - The Lake Saimaa Nature and Museum Centre and the the Savonia region. The new cultural route invites you to get to know Savonlinna Regional Museum - hosts exhibitions and events all year the legacy of St. Olav and historical life in Savonlinna at many inter- round. esting locations in the region. St Olav’s Cultural Route offers versatile You can reach the following destinations by bus or car: products, services and events for those visiting the Saimaa region for either a day or for those on many day themed trips. Kirkkoniemi is an old church site and to this day the old cemetery and church bell tower from the 18th century remain. Visit at least these in the Kerimäki Church is the larg- centre of Savonlinna: est wooden church in the world and it was built to fit half of the The Olavinlinna Castle (St. population of Kerimäki. Open Olav’s Castle) was built as a during the summer months, defence fortress in 1475 and it and open at other times by pri- was named after St. Olav. Now or reservation. it is an attraction and a versa- tile event venue. You can visit On Kallunmäki the first Olavinlinna Castle at any time churches of Kerimäki were built of the year. The central hall of and these were in use from the Olavinlinna Castle is guarded 17th century up until the large by a statue of St. Olav sculpted wooden church was finished. by Ville Vallgren. On the guided Around one kilometre away tour you can visit a medieval from Kallunmäki is the Anttola chapel and there is a 3D statue school, which has a cup- of St. Olav in the castle exhibi- marked stone in its yard. tion. It is also possible to visit loca- Tallisaari Island is next to tions on the St. Olav Cultural Olavinlinna Castle. On the is- Route by foot or bike along land there is the ‘Linnan hen- trails or hiking routes. In addi- ki’ (‘The castle’s sprit’) statue tion to this, many events as well as a statue of a black named after St. Olav, such as ram closely connected to St. Olav’s Day on July 29, offer Olavinlinna Castle lore. things to do for the whole fami- Linnankatu is the oldest ly. Take a day trip or a full hike street in inland Finland, con- across Finland in the footsteps necting Häme Castle and of St. Olav. Vyborg. Now the street is lined with wooden houses from the Welcome to St. Olav’s 19th and 20th centuries. Cultural Route!