The town of Savonlinna is located in the southeast of Finland. Savonlinna is situated on a narrow row of islands and is surrounded by water both in the north and south. The lake in the north is called Haapavesi, the one in the south is Pihlajavesi. "Vesi" means water, and these waters are all part of the Saimaa lake area. The city was founded in 1639, based around Olavinlinna, the main tourist attraction of Savonlinna.

Olavinlinna
The best known sight of Savonlinna is the castle of Olavinlinna. It was was built in 1475 on the border between the Kingdom of Sweden and Russia to protect this eastern area of Sweden from Russia. During the centuries a settlement developed around the castle and the town of Savonlinna was founded in 1639. Savonlinna is known for the festivals which take place in the Castle: Savonlinna Opera Festival in July, the Ballet Festival in the beginning of June. The Ballet Festival is performed by the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.

Kerimäki Church
The Kerimäki Church in Kerimäki, Finland, is the largest wooden church in the world. Built between 1844 and 1847, the church has a length of 45 metres, a width of 42 meters, a height of 37 metres and a seating capacity of more than 3,000. Altogether there can be 5,000 people at a time in the church. They say that the size of the church was the result of a miscalculation when it was built. During wintertime, services are held in a smaller "winter church" as the main building has no heating.