Day Seven, Wednesday, 27th July 2011 Mantuharju to Punkasalmi We set off for Savonlinna in the morning . the drive took two hours through wooded and lake landscapes, interspersed with small farms with wheat fields. We arrived in Savonlinna and set off to see the 15th Century castle Olavinlinna – Olaf’s castle. A massive stone structure built in the 1400’s, on a natural stone mound, set in the middle of the lake. It was built as a fortress against the Russians, and I imagine that at the time it would have been impregnable. I imagine that it would have been cold and damp and very uncomfortable place to live in the early days. The rooms were dark with stony walls and small window apertures, useful more for defence than light. High ceilings, and uneven stone floors
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