Information about Lake Saimaa
Lake Saimaa is a lake with thousands of stories. With 15,000 kilometres of shoreline and 15,000 islands, the lake area has changed and adapted over the course of its history. For many people, Lake Saimaa is a beloved place to live or spend wonderful holidays. The towns on the shores of Lake Saimaa continue to develop, while respecting the area’s diverse natural environment.
Find exciting things to do in Lake Saimaa
Olavinlinna Castle
The construction of Olavinlinna Castle began in 1475. The Danish-born founder of the castle, knight Erik Axelsson Tott, decided that a powerful fortification should be built to protect the strategically important Savonia region. The castle was to repel Russian attacks from the east and to guarantee the control of the Savonia region for the Swedish Crown. The history of Olavinlinna Castle is a mixture of power struggles between the east and the west, medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and everyday chores inside the castle’s thick walls.
Hytermä – the Legacy of Romu-Heikki
Hytermä islands in Kerimäki (Puruvesi, Lake Saimaa) are one of the most beautiful and interesting places to visit in Lake Saimaa.
Hytermä nature reserve and museum islands are located about 7 km from the centre of Kerimäki towards Hälvä. Hytermä was declared a protected nature area in the year 1931, and the fact that is has survived almost completely in its natural state is all down to an ex-rural police chief Heikki Väyrynen (1916-1940), a.k.a. Romu-Heikki, and his wife.
Linnansaari National Park
Linnansaari National Park in Lake Saimaa offers Finnish Lakeland nature at its best. With its hundreds of islands and big open waters, it is a true paradise for anyone exploring it via water. And for hikers, there are many well-marked nature paths.
In winter, tour skating, kicksledding, cross-country skiing, walking or a pulled sledge are ways of moving around in the national park. The tour skating and winter walking route goes from Oravi via Linnansaari to Nature Hotel & Spa Resort Järvisydän. In the national park, there is also a wonderful snowshoe park and a pancake café that is open on weekends.