On a Thursday Jan and I visited Savonlinna, which is located about 330ish km from Helsinki (see the map above). Population about 27,000 (insert "Twin Peaks" music in the background). We went by car and it was scary at times because I am not used to going 120 km/h (there are no roads in Estonia that would allow such speed). But Jan is a calm person and thus makes an excellent driver.
It's another small sea town. How not to love those? There is water everywhere. And is it just me or is it so that places by the water feel bigger and there is more air to breathe. Not to mention all the boats, yachts, docks, buoys, markets and everything else that goes with the port settlements :)
In the neighbourhood one can also find art centre Retretti, which we also visited. Part of the centre/museum is located underground, in the caves. So it's like art museum in the caves, it is dark there and it is not allowed to take any pictures. Exhibits in the cave museum were totally location dependant and everything was built in or on the rocks. There were several video installations shown in the deep dark corners, and the sounds were spooky. On the ground they had exhibition covering some expressionist artists of Finland and in another house, there were pictures from children's books and fairy tales.
For lunch we had, of course, fish, in a crowded place somewhere in the centre of Savonlinna. The quality of the food was not of the highest class (then again I do not have high expectations when travelling outside big cities), but the waiter that we had was most friendliest and helpful.
We almost took a trip on that kind of boat (on the photo), but then we didn't :) Which was maybe a good thing as we were gifted some rain from above soon after.
So we just touristed around and in the city.
Pride and joy of Savonlinna town is this castle, called Olavinlinna (from 15th century). That evening Mozart's "Magic Flute" opera was played there and the whole town was bustling, it was so cute. The thing of the small places (which I know well). There were many locals (I bet) as well as town guests around. Even a taxi drove to the castle to drop off some opera guests. I bet Savonlinna is proud to have taxis :)
On the way back there was lots of rain and even some storms, but Hobbit said it's ok and so we didn't crash :)
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