| Southern Savonia | |
 | |
Location  | |
Coat of arms  | |
| State | Finland |
|---|---|
| Capital | Mikkeli |
| Surface | 18,768.33 km² |
| Inhabitants | 151.853 (2014 estimate) |
| Institutional website | |
Southern Savonia (Etelä-Savo or Södra Savolax in Swedish) is a region of the Lakeland Finland.
To know
Geographical notes
It borders the Northern Savonia, the North Karelia, the South Karelia, the Kymenlaakso, the Päijät-Häme and the Central Finland.
Southern Savonia is located in the heart of the Lakelands Finland, among which the most famous is remembered Saimaa lake.
Background
Southern Savonia was created, for the most part, from the old province of Mikkeli, founded in 1831.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
- Mikkeli - The largest city in the region, as well as its capital.
- Enonkoski
- Heinävesi
- Hirvensalmi
- Joroinen
- Juva
- Kangasniemi
- Kerimäki
- Mäntyharju
- Pertunmaa
- Pieksämäki - Important railway junction.
- Punkaharju
- Puumala
- Gasp
- Ristiina
- Savonlinna - Among beautiful lake landscapes, Savonlinna is dominated by the bulk of the sixteenth-century castle of Olavinlinna (San Olaf) where an annual festival dedicated to opera takes place. It also boasts a panoramic view of the Saimaa lake.
- Sulkava - Known for a regatta that takes place in early July, Sulkava presents the prehistoric ruins of the Linnavuori fortress in its surroundings.
Other destinations
- Astuvansalmi - One of the largest rock painting sites in the Nordic countries. It is estimated that the paintings on the cliff next to the lake date back to 4,500 / 5,000 years ago. Such paintings depict moose, men, hands, animal tracks, boats etc. The site can be reached via a 3 km walking path. You can get to the beginning of the trail by car from Ristiina. In Ristiina go to "Suurlahdentie", road 4323. Continue for 19 km until you find a small car park with the sign Astuvansalmi. In winter the paintings can be viewed through the ice on the also frozen lake. In summer, boat trips are possible.
- Kolovesi National Park
- Linnansaari National Park
How to get
By plane
The only airport in the region is a Savonlinna, which has a connection with Helsinki.
On the train
The main towns of Southern Savonia are all well served by rail, although you may need to change trains at Kouvola. From Helsinki it takes 3 hours to reach Savonlinna is Mikkeli and about 4 hours for Pieksämäki. There is also a line that goes through Turku, Tampere is Jyväskylä in the direction of Pieksämäki.
How to get around
What see
- The landscape a Punkaharju, which represents the "national landscape of Finland".
- The largest wooden church in the world a Kerimäki.
- The medieval castle of Olavinlinna a Savonlinna.
- The orthodox monastery of Valamo a Heinävesi, is open to visitors all year round. It is also possible to sleep overnight in the monastery area. Visitors are required to wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders.
- The Lintula Convent in Heinävesi is close to the Valamo Monastery, and is the only Orthodox convent in Finland. It welcomes visitors every day for services. During the summer it also offers accommodation in the convent area.
What to do
At the table
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Southern Savonia
Commons contains images or other files on Southern Savonia
