Passenger steamer Savonlinna

Savonlinna provincial museum has records of the navigation history on lake Saimaa and heritage related to South Savo region. The most important vessel types which operated on Saimaa lake are included in this collection. One of the four museumships, which are restored and on display to the provincial museum, is the over 100 years old passenger steamer Savonlinna.

Passenger traffic in the lake Saimaa started in the beginning of 1800’s partly as cargo operations. The region of Saimaa gained more recognition as a travel destination during 1800’s and 1900’s mainly due to attractions such as Punkaharju’s landscapes, Olavinlinna and Olavi spa centre. That way domestic and foreigner visitors’ number increased and new, bigger passenger boats were put for use. Savonlinna became a popular travel destination and also centre of the passenger traffic at Saimaa region.

Savonlinna Steamship Ltd (Savonlinnan Höyrylaiva Osakeyhtiö) was established in the city of Savonlinna in year 1903 and the following year ordered from Paul Wahl & Co Shipyard to construct the passenger steamer Savonlinna. The passenger steamer Savonlinna or so called ’’Saimaa Express’’ could operate the route Savonlinna- Lappeenranta just in seven hours. Expept for foreigner spa guests and other travellers the steamer was also used for cargo and post transfers. The golden era of Saimaa steamer was in years 1910–1930. However due to the closure of Saimaa canal just after the war and the expansion of the mainland road transportation the passenger ship traffic rapidly reduced.