Project Seven- St. Olaf's Castle

St. Olaf’s Castle

WHAT: St. Olaf’s castle is a 15th-century three-tower castle located in Savonlinna, Finland. It is the northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing.


WHEN: The St. Olaf’s Castle construction started in 1475


WHERE: Savonlinna, Finland


WHY: The castle was supposed to repel Russian attacks


WHO: Olaf II Haraldsson, later known as St. Olaf, was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028.




History,

St. Olaf’s Castle withstood several attacks by the Russians during the First and Second Russian-Swedish wars. A successful trade developed under the protection of the castle towards the end of the 16th century, leading to the development of the town of Savonlinna, which was chartered in 1639.

                

                History of St. Olaf

Olaf Haraldsson the second, later known as St. Olaf was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028.


Medieval Olavinlinna (St. Olaf's Castle) is the city's symbol and main attraction. Built in 1475 by Danish knight Erik Axelsson to protect the eastern border of the Swedish-Danish Kalmar Union, it was named after the patron saint of knights, St. Olaf.