Finland Finland Castles

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The Finland castles, most of which are found in the southern part of the country, are among the more interesting Finland attractions. Not only are they architecturally attractive, but they are also historically important. There was a time in the history of Finland when Sweden ruled the land, and for centuries the Swedish crown feared invasions from Russia. As such, Finland castles were erected across the land to help protect some of Sweden’s main settlements. Today, some of the Finland castles lay mostly in ruins, while others have been immaculately restored and look much like they did when they were originally built. Whenever close to a castle in Finland, ruined or not, it’s worth your time to take a closer look, as they are some of the oldest structures in the country. 

Of all the Finland castles, Olavinlinna Castle is easily among the most impressive. No other still-standing, medieval castle in the world is found further north than this imposing structure. It is undoubtedly the main attraction in the small city of Savonlinna, which is none too far from the Russian border. The city of Savonlinna was actually founded around the Olavinlinna Castle in 1639, and by that time, the castle had already been standing for more than 150 years. Olavinlinna Castle itself was founded in1475, and it was built by Swedes in order to keep invading Russians at bay. The Russians, however, would ultimately take the castle in 1743, and when visiting the castle today, you will want to note the upper parts of the towers, which were added under Russian rule. These additions are of a brownish color, making them easy to notice.