Holiday accommodation since the 19th century Casino Island boasts a long history of spa accommodation with the first spa being completed in 1896. It was named the St. Olav's Spa in honour of the patron saint of Olavinlinna Castle, the devout St. Olav, King of Norway. It was the first spa ever built in Finland. Restaurant Wanha Kasino next to it saw the light of day two years later in 1898. At the turn of the century, the Casino Island was busy with international tourists. Wealthy visitors arrived in hordes in summer from cities as far away as St. Petersburg. Visitors stayed in the villas built on Casino island and other nearby islands or in the homes of the townspeople in Savonlinna. Visitors went to the spa for cures. In spa brochures, the islands were called the Happy Islands as entertainment and socializing played an important part of spa life. Common treatments of the era were clay wraps and formic acid baths! More accommodation facilities were built as the number of visitors grew