Oskari - Linnansaari Visitor Centre

Oskari Visitor Centre´s exhibition offers information in a vivid way on Linnansaari National Park. The park is situated in the middle of Lake Haukivesi which is one of the biggest basins of the great Lake Saimaa in eastern Finland. Oskari´s customer service provide information on other destinations, especially on boating and hiking possibilities, and gives tourist information on the surrounding area.

Opening Hours in 2010

15.2.-13.6. Mon-Fri 9 am-4pm
14.6.-8.8. Every day 10 am-6pm
9.8.-29.8. Every day 10 am-4pm
30.8.-14.11. Mon-Fri 9 am-4pm

At other times by appointment.

Closed:
Easter 2. - 5.4.
May 1st 1.5.
Ascension Day 13.5.
Midsummers´s Eve 25.6.

Entrance

There is no entrance fee. We charge for guide services. Groups should make reservations in advance.

Contact Information

Address: Oskari-Linnansaari Visitor Centre, Ohitustie 7, 58900 Rantasalmi, Finland
Tel. int. +358 205 64 5916
Fax: +358 205 64 5915
E-mail: saimaa(at)metsa.fi

Oskari - Linnansaari Visitor Centre is managed by Metsähallitus.

Directions

Oskari -Linnansaari Visitor Centre is located in the centre of the Municipality of Rantasalmi on the shore of Lake Pieni Raudanvesi. Rantasalmi lies 44 km from the Town Savonlinna and 45 km from the Town of Varkaus.

By Car

• There are signposts from the closest roads to the Oskari -Linnansaari Visitor Centre. When coming from Savonlinna along road 14, which runs between Savonlinna and Juva, there are signposts leading you onto road 464 from the Parkumäki intersection. When coming from Juva, there are signposts from road 14 onto road 467 from the Hiisimäki intersection.

By Public Transportation

• The Oskari - Linnansaari Visitor Centre is a mere 400 metres from the Rantasalmi bus station.
• Coaches come in daily from Savonlinna and Varkaus. Visitors can easily get to either of these towns by
train (www.vr.fi), coach (www.matkahuolto.fi) or plane (www.finnair.com).
• Visitors can dock their own boats, in Rantasalmi, at the visitors’ harbour 400 metres from the Oskari - Linnansaari Visitor Centre.
• Oskari is located about 7 km from Porosalmi. During summer, a boat (www.saimaaholiday.net) takes travellers from Porosalmi to Linnansaari National Park’s main island.

Services

• Information on
Linnansaari, Kolovesi and Repovesi National Parks and information on other near-by nature reserves, for example, the Siikalahti bird wetland and Lake Pihlajavesi.
• Canoe and kayak rental
• Information on Metsähallitus products and services.
• We sell:
• Metsäkartta: Forest map 6/9
• Linnansaari - Kolovesi National Park map, 1:50 000
• Vesiretkeilykartasto - Keskinen Saimaa, Central Lake Saimaa boating map, 1:50 000 (12 pages)
• Lake Pihlajavesi recreational boating map, 1:80 000
• Parikkala hiking map, 1:75 000
• Repovesi National Park outdoor map, 1:20 000
• Ruunaa outdoor map, 1:30 000
• Patvinsuo National Park outdoor map, 1:50 000
• Books: “Finland’s National Parks, Seas of Blue, Seas of Green”, Repovesi National Park (in English, German, French, Spanish or Italian)
• Posters: National Park posters and natural habitat posters
• Other products: Metsähallitus publications, National Park sleeve badges and pins, souvenirs and handicrafts.
• Fishing permits purchased only in Wild North (www.villipohjola.com).
• Group tours: We arrange programmes and tours to suit your needs. These include Linnansaari National Park services and conservation aims, endangered species living in the lakes, slash and burn agriculture, care of meadows, and nature conservation in general. Much of our material can be found in English, German and Swedish. Groups should make reservations in advance. We charge for guided presentations. Tours of Linnansaari National Park are managed by a
local enterprise (www.saimaaholiday.net).
• Information on boat trips in Linnansaari National Park and the renting of rowboats and canoes.

Oskari’s Day in Linnansaari -Exhibition

The permanent exhibition tells about Linnansaari National Park. A young boy, Oskari, will act as your guide throughout the exhibits. He was named after the island´s last tenant farmer.

Auditorium and AV Presentations

• The auditorium seats 81 and fits 4 wheelchairs.
• The staff will show the following at request
Linno - a film about Linnansaari National Park made by famous local (motion-picture) photographer Juha Taskinen (17 min, in Finnish, English or German)
Metsähallitus introduction (9 min, Finnish, Swedish, English, German, French, Russian)
• Torsti - the Child of the Depths
  • A unique nature film about the underwater life of a Saimaa Ringel Seal pup (12 min, English, German, Finnish). Tickets 1,50 - 3 €.
• The auditorium can be rented for conference use.
  • 1-3 hours 50 e/ per hour
  • 4-6 hours 175 e
  • over 6 hours 200 e

Educational Package

The Linnansaari plant teaching package has 180 colour copies of the common plants of the area. The copies have been made from pressed of the specimens.

Picnic Areas

There a tables on the grounds of the Visitor Centre, where visitors can have their packed lunch.

Oskari Visitor Centre´s Café-Library

• Café services only by advanced reservation.
• Seats for 34 customers.
• Changing exhibitions (art, photography).

Services for the Disabled

• Oskari -Linnansaari Visitor Centre is accessible by car.
• All areas inside the centre are accessible by wheelchair.
• The auditorium fits 4 wheelchairs.
• There is a toilet for the disabled.

Read more about our service guarantee.