The Savonlinna Castle

     On Friday, we headed to meet the bride and groom (and all other visitors) for breakfast at the local market.  Over apple pastries and hot cocoa (coffee for PDub), we became acquainted with the families and friends of the bride and groom.  A group of us then headed to the castle (the northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing) for a tour.  In Finnish, "Savonlinna" translates to Castle of Savonia, and well named, seeing that the city was built around the Olavinlinna castle back in 1639.  The castle was founded in 1475 to protect the Swedish border (Finland was then a part of the kingdom of Sweden) from their Russian adversary.  During the Russo-Swedish War (1741-1743), Russia captured this castle and remained there until 1812 after which they granted the city and castle back to Finland.  The castle still stands today, and the city still prospers around it.

Olavinlinna Castle

More castle!  He was going to storm it, but I convinced him  he didn't have the manpower.

     During our tour of the castle, we were told to remain with our tour group seeing that some doors would be locked behind us to prevent unguided tourists from entering into certain rooms.  Generally, I follow rules with no exceptions, but you see, we bought this really awesome camera....Needless to say, one of my new friends (from the wedding party) and I lagged behind a bit and ended up with a door separation between ourselves and the rest of our group.  I pulled and pulled on this door (mind you, the thing was extremely old), and it wouldn't budge.  We shared a moment of panic before she attempted it herself (push....dur), and we happily reunited with our group (no worries, we were missed, so they may have found us eventually).

Inside the church of the castle.

One of the three keeps (rounded and thick to withstand canon fire).

Playing with the camera...

Getting left behind...