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The building 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 Savo region. The history of Olavinlinna is a mixture of medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and people doing everyday chores inside the security of the castle’s thick walls. Many centuries have passed and today Olavinlinna Castle is one of the most popular attractions in all of Finland and a symbol of the city of Savonlinna. The accounts of the castle administrator have been preserved to our time. They represent a valuable source of information about the life of its inhabitants. For example, when Gustav Vasa ruled, all the inhabitants of the castle were divided into officials, artisans and soldiers. It is worth adding that the officials included a bailiff, clerks, gunsmiths and cooks. After Finland became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, the fortress ...

Helvetinjärvi National Park is situated in Ruovesi in 40 kilometers northwest of Tampere.  The special features of the park include two rift valleys formed 150-200 million years ago by displacement of the earth’s crust. Helvetinkolu Gorge, located northeast of the Lake Iso Helvetinjärvi, is the most famous gorge in the area and can be reached by a forest path of ca. 2 kilometres. You can easily make a day trip or a longer hike in Helvetinjärvi National Park. The park's landscape is dominated by geological features created millions of years ago by mighty movements deep in the Earth's crust. After admiring the rugged cliffs around Helvetinjärvi (Hell's Lake) and Helvetinkolu (Hell's Hole) you can relax on the sandy lakeshore at Haukanhieta. The landscape here is dominated by geological features created millions of years ago by mighty movements deep in the Earth's crust. After admiring the rugged cliffs around Helvetinjärvi (Hell's Lake) and Helvetinkol...

The best Finnish city - Tampere - a rather large city by Finnish standards (its population is just over 200 thousand people), located in the south of the country. It secretly has the status of the second city center after Helsinki, and, according to opinion polls, has been leading the list of cities in the country for several years in a row.  Tampere has deservedly become known as the main industrial center of Finland. And in the nineties, the title of center of advanced information technologies was added to this honorary title. Why is the city good? In general, the status of the “best” city was awarded to specialists of the national sociological company Taloustutkimus after conducting a simple study. The Finns themselves evaluated the settlements of their homeland on a ten-point scale, putting marks for the quality of services, business activity, healthcare, education, economic development, municipal services, social services, leisure opportunities, raising children, wo...

Kurjenrahka National Park  Within easy reach of the historic town of Turku, the forests and marshes of Kurjenrahka are home to many wild animals and birds, including stately long-legged cranes and curious woodland owls. This national park was established in 1998 and covers about 29 km square. Kurjenrahka is beloved by many bird watchers as several species of birds such as the Eurasian wryneck, the chiffchaff or the osprey call the park their home. Kurjenrahka National Park lies just outside the city limits of Turku and located west of road 204 (Turku - Yläne), about 35 km north of the City of Turku. Vaskijärvi Strict Nature Reserve is located about 10 km northwest of Kurjenrahka, north of road 2020 (Yläne - Mynämäki). Vaskijärvi is about 40 km from Turku.  Turku castle Turku Castle is a national monument and one of the most remarkable medieval castles in Finland. It is also one of the largest existing castles in Scandinavia. The history of Turku Castl...

If you were asked to close your eyes and to tell the first image that comes to mind about Helsinki, you’d probably say that it is the Helsinki Cathedral . At least this is what it happens with most people. It is the most recognizable spot of the city. Since 1852, when the construction of the Helsinki Cathedral was over, this building has been imposing its beauty over the Senate Square of Helsinki, right in the middle of the city (map). Its facade can be seen in many photos and during all kinds of media coverage, because many events and protests take place in front of it. The cathedral originally was built as a tribute to the Tzar Nicholas I of Russia, because for many years Finland was part of Russia and was known as the Great Duchy of Finland. The Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Engel, rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights. The church is part of Helsinki's Empire era ...

Finland’s capital was founded in the 16th century but the city you see today really took shape in the 1800s. Get the Helsinki Card for a free city tour, free public transport, free entrance to museums and discounts on shopping, restaurants and tours. It's said Swedes had completed Suomenlinna - an ambitious sea fortress, which huge project is still intact and is just one of a catalogue of exciting things to track down in Helsinki. Covering an area of 210 ha and consisting of 200 buildings and 6 km of defensive walls, the fortress stretches over six separate islands. The original fortress was built using local rock and fortified with a system of bastions over varied terrain.  After Finland gained independence in 1917, the fortress was renamed Suomenlinna (or Fortress of Finland) and served as a garrison and a harbour. The military role of the fortress declined after World War II, and in 1973 the area was converted for civilian purposes. Since then, buildings have been r...

Skagen Grey Lighthouse The Danish Nature Agency opens up a completely new and modern exhibition in cooperation with the Bird Observatory. In Skagen Grey Lighthouse you can explore the fantastic journeys of the birds virtually, and you will get an insight into what it is like to be a modern birdwatcher. On the monitors you can also follow what happens here and now with field pictures and videos. On top of that you can experience the fascinating view from the top of the Grey Lighthouse – the very same view that meets the birds when they arrive at Grenen. Birders` Club As a part of the Lighthouse there is a room, which is open for everybody, and where you can keep yourself updated with what is happening in the area at the same time. It's also here that we are having lectures from time to time. Skagen is a unique place for migratory birds from around the world . The new international bird adventure center: Skagen Grey Lighthouse - Centre for migratory birds, opened...

Erected in 1200 by the arch bishop of Lund and the Danish church Hammershus played an important part in the struggles and wars which found place in the middle ages in Europe. It was deserted in 1745 and allowed to fall into decay. The people of Bornholm were free to gather building materials from the site until 1822, when the ruins were put on the national historic register. Today it is Bornholm's largest attraction and a must-see if you visit the island. The fortress is open all year and has no entrance fee. The largest castle ruin in Northern Europe Experience the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe and the most popular attraction on Bornholm – a place to fire the imagination and bring the history of Bornholm to life. The oldest part of the fortress was probably built in the early 12th century to consolidate control of the island by the Archbishop of Lund (which was then part of Denmark), which he had acquired through a treaty with King Svend III Grathe of ...

With its distinctive spiral ramp, the Round Tower is one of Denmark’s best-known and most visited structures. A historical place that also houses exhibitions, concerts and activities for young and old. When Christian IV built the tower, Denmark was quite famous for its astronomical achievements thanks to the astronomer Tycho Brahe . When he died in 1601, the King wished to continue Brahe's research, and thus the round tower came into being. It has been a while since the scientists left, but the observatory is still used by amateur astronomers and the many visitors. The observatory is encircled by an outdoor platform from which you have a magnificent view of the old part of Copenhagen. To get there you need to walk up the spiral walk, which is 268,5 meters long at the outer wall and only 85,5 meters long close to the core of the building. This means that you walk around 209 meters to get to top even though the tower is only 36 meters tall. The 17th-century tower a...

Moesgaard Museum The past is brought to fascinating life at the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus. Moesgaard Museum has three Michelin stars in the Michelin attraction's guide. Presenting the past in a magnificent architectural setting Prehistory presented innovatively in a breathtaking architectural setting makes for a world-class museum experience when you visit the Moesgaard Museum. The past becomes alive and the people in the exhibits will step forward and provide the visitors with a better understanding of the past and how we arrived at where we are in the present. An international attraction The Moesgaard Museum is a huge attraction not only because of the architectural design of the museum and the exhibitions, but also due to its location in the beautiful natural surroundings in south of Aarhus, overlooking the woods and sea. The evolutionary stairway The evolutionary stairway at Moesgaard Museum is not only a key element of the architecture, which lead...

Amalienborg Palace Amalienborg is one of the most beautiful palaces in all of Denmark. This is not only a business card of her capital, Copenhagen, but also a residential building. And the most important people in Denmark live in it - Queen Margrethe with her family. The complex of palace buildings in the Rococo style is located with facades to each other. Frederiksborg Palace Frederiksborg Palace was built at the turn of the 16-17th centuries, and it is located in the town of Hillerød, not far from the Danish capital Copenhagen. The first buildings of the castle were laid here in 1560 by King Frederick. And after the death of the king, Christian the Fourth took his throne - he ruled the country for 59 years. Kronborg Castle All Danish castles are very picturesque, but most of all Kronborg in Elsinore stands out. Kronborg owes its fame to mentioning Hamlet as the main scene of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Egeskov Castle Egeskov Castle in Denmark is one of ...

Denmark is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, in which there are a lot of memorable places lurking in the centuries-old history and an abundance of magnificent natural landscapes. This country has become a real symbol of purity and beauty - it might involuntarily seem that this is just a picture with a beautiful landscape. Bright green vegetation, azure blue sky, colorful houses, red tiled roofs ... Denmark has always attracted tourists, and the many attractions of Denmark make this country even more attractive for its guests. That is why each of you will find for yourself what to see in Denmark. The historical sights of this country are the numerous Viking fortresses, cathedrals, castles, basilicas, decorated in various styles of architecture inherent in their era. Guides in Copenhagen will help to reveal the secrets and all the historical moments that each of these attractions conceals in itself, plan the plan and route of the trip. And for the greatest covera...