In the Heart of Lake Saimaa

As the ice sheet retreated, it revealed sunny shores with rich fishing waters and hunting grounds, making it possible for humans to settle in the harsh natural conditions. Numerous rock paintings, dwelling places, and object discoveries reveal how people lived in the Saimaa area during the Stone Age.

The Saimaa Ringed Seal has been a part of the same story from the beginning. The ocean and the seal’s migratory instinct brought it to Saimaa, where it eventually became isolated in a lake environment. Having to share the waters with humans, for a long time, the seal had no choice but to try to avoid humans as its population declined. Today, education and new ways of thinking have made the Saimaa Ringed Seal the symbol of a new era of protection.

The castle and the city were built in a place of military and geographic importance. Little by little, the city took shape on the side of the castle, built in 1475.

After centuries of unrest, the city started developing quickly and, thanks to its favourable location, forest industry and shipbuilding became its most significant industries. Savonlinna became the centre of steamship traffic, and its tar steamers, steam tugs, barges and passenger ships transported goods and people both on nearby waters and all the way to sea.

Living in Savonlinna has also meant living on islands. Nature has set the parameters for human activities to adapt to. Saimaa has been the path of life at all times of the year.

A network of dozens of national parks and other protected areas is available for today’s nature tourist. The routes and service structures enable easy and safe hiking at Finland’s finest nature sites.

In the Heart of Lake Saimaa is a permanent exhibition at Riihisaari – Savonlinna Museum.