Olavinlinna Castle

Södra Savolax, Savonlinna · Finland · Castle

At this medieval fortress a maiden walled up alive is said to appear on the balcony at full moon — and a water spirit played the harp before every disaster.

Olavinlinna (Olofsborg) rises on an islet in Lake Saimaa at Savonlinna and is one of the Nordic region's best-preserved medieval castles. Its most famous legend tells of a young castle maiden walled up alive for treachery — at midnight under a full moon she and her officer are said to appear on the castle balcony. There is also the tale of the black ram that scared off an enemy, and of the vetehinen, the water spirit who played the harp whenever disaster or sudden death drew near. The castle is a museum and the stage for the opera festival.

FAQ

Where is Olavinlinna Castle located?

Olavinlinna Castle is in Södra Savolax, Savonlinna, Finland.

More haunted places in Södra Savolax, Savonlinna

• Svartå Manor (Mustio) Raseborg, Nyland · Castle
• Louhisaari Manor Masku, Egentliga Finland · Manor
• The Man Who Promised the Devil His Skin in Vörå Österbotten · Site of legend
• The Westrogoth and the Seven Questions of Ekenäs Nyland · Site of legend
• The Night Journey to Pernå Church Nyland · Church
• The Horse Swap on the Heath in Kimito Egentliga Finland · Site of legend
• The Fox Hunter of Korsholm Österbotten · Site of legend

Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.

Image: Tulipasylvestris / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons