South Savonia

South Savonia (Etelä-Savo) is a province in the Finnish Lakeland.

Cities

• Mikkeli — the largest city in the region
• Pieksämäki — major rail junction
• Savonlinna — Finland's largest castle, a famous opera festival and scenic views of Lake Saimaa

Municipalities

• Enonkoski
• Heinävesi
• Hirvensalmi
• Joroinen
• Juva
• Kangasniemi
• Mäntyharju
• Pertunmaa
• Punkaharju
• Puumala
• Rantasalmi
• Ristiina
• Sulkava

Other destinations

• Kolovesi National Park
• Linnansaari National Park
• Kerimäki

Get in

By plane

The only airport in the region is at Savonlinna, which has service to Helsinki.

By train

South Savonia's major cities are all well-served by rail, although you may need to change trains in Kouvola. It's 3 hours from Helsinki to Savonlinna or Mikkeli, or about 4 hours to Pieksämäki. There's also a cross line from Turku, Tampere and Jyväskylä to Pieksämäki.

See

• The ridge landscape at Punkaharju, which is the "national landscape of Finland".
• World's largest wooden church in Kerimäki.
• Olavinlinna medieval castle in Savonlinna.

• The monastery of New Valamo, Heinävesi. The orthodox monastery of New Valamo is open for visitors all year round. It is also possible to sleep overnight in the monastery area. Visitors are expected to wear clothes that cover their knees and shoulders. 

• Lintula Holy Trinity Convent, Heinävesi. Close to New Valamo monastery, Lintula convent is the only orthodox convent in Finland. It welcomes visitors every day to services. During the summer it also serves accommodation in the convent area. 

Do

Astunansalmi rock paintings

Hiking

•   Astuvansalmi rock paintings. Astuvansalmi is one of the biggest rock painting sites in the Nordic countries. The paintings on a cliff next to a lake are thought to be 4500-5000 years old and they depict elk, human, hands, animal tracks, boats etc. The site can be reached by a 3 km walking path. You can arrive to the trail head from Ristiina by car. In Ristiina turn to "Suurlahdentie", road 4323. Drive 19 km and find a small parking place with the Astuvansalmi sign. In winter the paintings can be viewed from the ice on the frozen lake. In summer boats trips are possible. 

Sports

•   Joroisten Judokerho, e-mail: info@joroisen-judokerho.fi. Judo club open to everyone, including day guests. Contact them by email in advance for special lessons and schedules, which vary based on interest. 

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