Pisamalahti hill fort (Linnavuori) in Sulkava is one of the most magnificent hill forts in Finland. Narrow stairs lead to the top of the hill, from where the views over Lake Saimaa are spectacular. When admiring the views, you can feel the thousand years of history of the place. You should also admire the scenery at the foot of the cliff – soaring to 55 meters above the water surface almost vertically, the cliff is an impressive sight, and the shore is full of huge glacial erratic boulders. There is an excursion harbor, a barbecue site and an outhouse in the area. Pisamalahti hill fort is located about 5 km from Sulkava Church towards Partalansaari island. Address; Linnavuorentie 306, 58700 Sulkava.

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Stone Church is a large glacial erratic boulder with caves and an open hall-like space that have been created when the boulder has cracked. The tip of the boulder reaches a height of about 15 meters, and a dozen people can fit into its hall-like space, which is why it got its name the “stone church”. On the west side of the boulder, there is an area of red soil, which is an indication to ancient rock paintings. During wars, the boulder has been used as a hiding place, and according to tradition, also sun worship rituals used to be performed there. Ancient people believed that the devil lived in the boulders. There is a parking lot at the beginning of the path that leads to Stone Church. The path is signposted.

Address; Huosiorannantie, 58700 Sulkava.

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Sarsuinmäki artillery batteries and the museum gun

A fort artillery battery part of the Salpa Line. The battery was completed in 1940, and at the time was the 30th fort artillery battery. The gun is a French gun of the make Canet with a 7 metre long gun barrel.

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Rauhanniemi Museum in Sulkava is one of the oldest local history museums in Southern Savo. It continues the traditions of the museum founded by Councillor Kaarlo Hämäläinen, founded in the 1930s. The museum area presents rural architecture and life from the 1800s to the 1900s. The main building is a smoke cabin transferred from the Summala farm, dating from the early 19th century. In addition, there are granaries, a smoke sauna, barn, stables and log driving museum, the objects of which tell about the world of log driving.

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The charming Sulkava centre holds a nationally significant environmental attraction; the area between the shore of Saimaa and Mikkolantie. The milieu, consisting of old buildings with their traditional courtyards, creates a unique atmosphere in the area. The peaceful and original milieu of Uitonrinne attracts visitors all year round.

Important travel destinations, such as the Sulkava rowing stadium, the Kulkemus boating centre, the Sulkava guest harbour and the Tourist info operating in coffee shop Alina, are located in the area of the Sulkava centre. In summer, Kästуöpuoti, a shop selling local handicraft, also operates in the area.

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Suvorov´s canals are the oldest canals in Finland. Telakanava in Sulkava is the northernmost of the four canals. It is an interesting attraction, especially if you are interested in history.

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Vilkaharju is a four-kilometer long longitudinal esker that offers a great setting for admiring nature and hiking. Vilkaharju has a two-part nature trail, of which the first part is about 3.1 km long and the second about 3.6 km long. The nature trail is signposted and marked with yellow signs on the trees. On the trail, you can admire the esker forest and spot the common redstart, the mistle thrush and the spotted flycatcher. In the area, there are also remains of a Stone Age settlement as well as anti- tank obstacles belonging to the Salpa Line from World War II. Towards the end of the route, you can relax and enjoy snacks on Toivotuksenlahti lean-to shelter and in the summer take a dip in Lake Saimaa.

Vilkaharju is a nature reserve, which means that making a fire and camping are prohibited there.

 

Savonlinna Opera Festivals - https://operafestival.fi/en/

The birth of the Savonlinna Opera Festival ties in closely with the emerging Finnish identity and striving for independence at the beginning of the 20th century. Attending a nationalist meeting in Olavinlinna Castle in 1907, the Finnish soprano Aino Ackté, already famous at opera houses the world over and an ardent patriot, immediately spotted the potential of the castle as the venue for an opera festival. The first opera festival was held in 1912. Aino Ackté directed the festival for five summers, staging four Finnish operas. 

 

The only opera by a non-Finnish composer was Charles Gounod’s Faust, with Ackté herself in the leading female role of Marguerite. In 1917 the festival ran into difficulties because of First World War, Finnish Declaration of Independence and the ensuing Finnish Civil War. For fifty years, the opera festival was dormant, but in 1967, Savonlinna Music Days decided to organise an opera course for young singers. The high point of the course was a performance of Beethoven's Fidelio in the castle. Therefore 1967 is nowadays regarded as the start of the present Festival; since then it has had steady growth of both audience and reputation.

 

The Savonlinna Opera Festival has grown into an internationally recognised festival lasting a month. Each year it performs to a total audience of around 60,000, an estimated quarter of whom come from abroad. Each year the Festival has, in addition to staging leading works from classical operatic repertoire, staged its own productions. Savonlinna Opera Festival (Finnish: Savonlinnan oopperajuhlat) is held annually in the city of Savonlinna in Finland. The Festival takes place at the medieval Olavinlinna (St. Olaf's Castle), built in 1475. The castle is located amid spectacular lake scenery. Also rock / heavy concerts in the venue!