Savitaipale

There are several versions of the origin of the name Savitaipale, for example, there is an assumption that the name originally had the form of Sai Taipale ( Fin. Taipale “ volok ”), in which the Sai component indicates Lake Saimaa . Another version is more likely: people moved by boat from Lake Kuolimo to Lake Saima through Savilahti Bay ( Fin. Savi "clay", Fin. Lahti "Bay"). It is assumed that the name Savitaipale goes back to the portage that passed through the clay coast of Savilahti Bay. ^[four]

Savitaipale is located in south-eastern Finland in the north-western part of the South Karelia region. The village of Savitaipale is located on the southeast shore of Lake Kuolimo . Kuolimo flows into Lake Saimaa in two places, through the rapids of Partakoski and Kärnjankoski. Highway 13 runs along Savitaipale, which connects the cities of Lappeenranta and Mikkeli .

On the territory of the community Savitaipale were found settlements since the Stone Age. The first mentions of the Savitaipale villages in the annals date back to 1540, when the tax reform was carried out by the King of Sweden Gustav Vaz . In 1639, Savitaipale Parish was founded. Prior to this, Savitaipale was related to Taipalsaari . ^[four]

Following the results of the Russian-Swedish war (1741–1743), Savitaipale passed to Russia. In 1791, under the leadership of General A.V. Suvorov , the construction of a defensive system began in south-eastern Finland to protect St. Petersburg from a possible attack from the Swedes. Two forts, Kärnjakoski and Järvaypale, are being built on the territory of the current Savitaipale community The forts did not spend a day in battles before they were abolished in 1809 in connection with Russia's conquest of all of Finland. ^[five]

Savitaipale Church

The church was built in 1921-1924 by Josef Stenbeck in the national-romantic style . Rapakivi granite , from which the church was built, was brought from the nearest village of Kaskeinkyulya. In the church parish Savitaipale this church is the seventh ^[6] . The old church building burned down on April 24, 1918 during the civil war ^[6] . The new body was manufactured in 1979 by Hans Heinrich . It can sound in 33 audio registers.

Fort Kernjakoski

The fort of Kärnjakoski and the redoubt of Partakoski were built in 1791 under the direction of General Suvorov to protect St. Petersburg . In 1809, these objects lost their defensive functions, since the Russian-Swedish border was significantly pushed to the west and passed along the Tornionjoki River. The 1980s on the territory of the fort and redoubt restoration work was carried out, they are open to the public today.

The population of the community Savitaipale is 3613 people (2015). In the community, there is a long-term decline in population, a significant part of the current residents of the community are retirees 39.2% (2014). ^[one]

Savitaipale is located along state highway 13. The distance to the city of Lappeenranta is 37 kilometers, to Mikkeli - 70 kilometers. There is a bus service between the cities, and buses run every day.

There are two schools in Savitaipale: Elementary school in Kheituinlahti (grades 1-6) and secondary school named after Eurous (grades 1-9). There is also a gymnasium in the community (founded in 1971), the total number of students of which does not exceed 150 people.

Music

At the beginning of July, the Savitaipale Soi jazz music festival (fin. Savitaipale Soi ) is held.

Sports

Savitaipale has rich sporting opportunities. The community has a football stadium (field with artificial turf), an ice hockey stadium, a curling stadium, a tennis stadium, tennis courts, lighted ski runs and skating rinks. The local sports organization Savitaipaleen Urheiliyat (fin. Savitaipaleen urheilijat), one of the founders of which was Joonas Muurä , participates in competitions in hockey, football, floorball , volleyball, skiing and athletics. Also annually in Savitaipale there are held women's tennis tournaments ITF Savitaipale Ladies Open .

Museums

• David Europeus Museum . David Europeus (1820-1884) - the famous Finnish folklorist, archaeologist, ethnographer. The museum presents his working room and his biography. In the center of Savitaipale a monument is erected in honor of the scientist.
• Museum of the builders of churches . The permanent exhibition of the museum tells about the local builders of the churches Johan and Matti Salonen, as well as Taavetti Rahikainen. Also in the museum presents utensils from the old churches Savitaipale.

• Joonas Muurja - two-time Olympic champion in javelin throwing
• David Emmanuel Daniel Europeus - Finnish folklorist, archeologist, ethnographer

In the rating of the Finnish newspaper Ilta-sanomat called “The most summer community in Finland”, Savitaipale commune ranked fifth. The ranking took into account the statistics of summer weather conditions, precipitation, registered marriage unions during the summer and even children conceived in summer. ^[7]