Constructed from 1832 to 1854, Bomarsund Fortress was built for Russian contingents on the island at a time when Aland was a Russian territory. As well as functioning as a defensive structure, the fortress was aimed to house thousands of soldiers. Indeed, a townlike settlement inhabited by both military and civilian populations known as ‘Skarpans’ grew up around the fortress.
Intended to have fourteen towers, only three of them were erected before Bomarsund Fortress faced its destruction at the hands of the allied English-Frenchmen. This occurred in the 1854 Battle of Bomarsund as part of the Crimean War and saw joint British and French forces take Bomarsund Fortress from the Russians after a week. This devastated the fortress as well as resulting in some 2000 men being brought to England and France as prisoners of war.
The whole of Aland was declared a demilitarised zone in 1856, a status which remains to this day.
Today, Bomarsund is a historical monument which covers around 870 hectares. Visitors to Bomarsund Fortress can explore the scenic and historic site, which was never rebuilt and thus stands as a testament to the great expectations which were once held for the area prior to its destruction.
There’s also a modest museum nearby housed in the pilot’s cottage on Prasto, which describes the history of the fortress and the area as a whole. This site also features as one of our top Visitor Attractions in Finland.
From the centre of the Aland islands, drive 25 minutes east via Route 2. It’s also a scenic hour and a half bike ride via the Godbyvägen and Sundsvägen/Route 2 roads.
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Bought by brothers Michael Hising and Johan Wilhelm in 1723, the ironworks at Fagervik Manor would go on to thrive. Already in full working flow by the mid-1720’s, they operated very much as a family business, passing from generation to generation, which remains the case today. As Fagervik Manor has been passed down, elements have been added: for instance, the family obtained production exclusivity of tin-plated iron, which would become a specialty product of Fagervik.
In its heyday, Fagervik Manor was visited by many a prominent figure, including Gustavus III and Alexander I. The estate also has the accolade of being the first place in Finland to grow the potato after it was introduced there by iron workers from Germany.
The ironworks closed in 1903, but Fagervik Manor would continue in its agricultural activities.
Today, visitors can see much of the iron works and the results of centuries of accumulating wealth, including its 18th century church, which is home of Finland’s oldest operational church-organ, its cottages, and its scenic French gardens. In the summer, there is also a museum which displays the site’s history.
From the centre of Helsinki, Fagervik Manor is an hour drive via Route 51. The closest bus station is Fagervik E, from where the site is an 8 minute walk.
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The ironworks of Fiskars Village were established in 1649, after Queen Christina of Sweden granted Dutch businessman Peter Thorwöste the privilege of manufacturing cast iron and forged products, except for cannons. At the time, the region of Finland was renowned for the production of iron.
The eighteenth century was hard on Fiskars. Years of famine and being plundered and wrecked in 1713 after ten years of Russian occupation – a period known as the Great Wrath – meant that Fiskars’ future was uncertain. By 1740, some 115 people lived in Fiskars village.
Fiskars Village thrived again and went on to flourish during the 19th century under Johan von Julin. During this time, Fiskars was advanced in terms of agriculture, medicine and education, having its own doctor as early as 1860, a hospital from 1892, and a school (now the oldest part of the Clock Tower building) from 1826.
As demand for iron production reduced into the twentieth century, Fiskars diversified its manufacturing portfolio.
Later, under the slogan ‘A Living Ironworks Village’, Fiskars transformed itself into a space for artisan craft making, and by 1993, professionals from more than 20 fields of arts had moved to the village as part of the joint exhibition.
Today, Fiskars still operates as an international corporation creating consumer items, but is also one of Finland’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing in some 25,000 visitors per year.
Fiskars Village is considered to be a cultural hub and visitors can also tour its ironworks museum which tells the story of how the village developed.
It is a totally unique experience, featuring unique outdoor, design, and culinary treats, and is dotted with top quality hotels, restaurants, and boutiques.
Many are attracted to the village because it is home to some of the best bike trails in the country, as well as the work of leading Nordic designers as part of many events which the site runs all year round.
There are around 600 residents who live at Fiskars. For those who really enjoy the Fiskars experience, houses and plots of land are available to buy or rent.
From Helsinki, Fiskars Village is an hour to an hour and a half drive, via Route 51 and E18. There is also a regular connecting bus schedule which takes around an hour and a half from Helsinki to the village.
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Whilst it is unclear as to when exactly Hame Castle was built, it is usually dated to the late 13th century. Indeed, many historians associate it with the Swedish crusade of Earl Birger, who came here some time during that century, seeing the castle as an opportunity to help Sweden consolidate power in central Finland. Regardless of when it was founded, Hame Castle would undergo construction for centuries.
The brick sections of Hame Castle date from the 14th century. Brick being used makes the site unique in that it was one of the earliest places in Finland to use this material. The escalating grandeur of the building materials over subsequent centuries mirrors the importance of Hame Castle generally. Indeed, from the 14th to 16th centuries it was connected to many of Finland’s most prominent circles.
Hame Castle’s decline began in the late 16th century, in part expedited by the reformations of King Gustav I of Sweden. It would have a brief resurgence after the Great Northern War; however, its main roles in the 19th and 20th centuries were as granary and prison.
Today, the castle is a popular visitor attraction among tourists and locals alike. Visitors can still see the oldest part of Hame Castle, referred to as the fortified camp. This is mainly comprised of an imposing thick defensive wall dotted with towers. There’s also the ruin of an old well.
In the summer, guided tours take place all day from 10am which are strongly recommended, since most of the signage in the rest of the castle is in Finnish and Swedish. This site also features as one of our Top Ten Visitor Attractions of Finland.
From the centre of Hämeenlinna, the castle is a 4 minute drive via the Kaivokatu road, with free parking available nearby. It’s also a 20 minute walk via Route 3057.
]]>First constructed in the 1380s, Kastelholm Castle was a military and administrative centre for the region, which then formed part of the Swedish Empire. Successive Swedish and Danish governors continued to maintain and expand Kastelholm Castle over the next two hundred years and the castle was briefly home to Swedish King Gustav I, before he became the monarch.
Originally on a small island surrounded by moats filled with water and planted with several rows of poles, the castle has been of strategic importance in consolidating Swedish authority over the Baltic over the last several centuries
However, by the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Kastelholm Castle’s influence began to wane. Damaged in 1599 by the forces of Charles IX (aka Karl IX), Kastelholm Castle later lost its position as the administrative centre of the region and in 1745 a fire devastated the structure.
In the early 20th century the site was transformed into a museum and there was a restoration programme in the 1980s.
Today the ruins of Kastelholm Castle can be viewed and the site is also the home of the Jan Karlsgården Open-Air Museum, which recreates 19th century life in the region. Kastelholm also features as one of our top tourist attractions in Finland.
Kastelholm is one of only five surviving Finnish medieval fortresses that are also considered to be architecturally substantial.
Kastelholm is approximately a 30 minute journey by car from Mariehamn. From Mariehamn, simply Drive north along route 2 towards Sund and Vardö.
If travelling by bus, take Bus 4 to and from Mariehamn – Vardö. During peak season in July, the bus goes all the way up to the Kastelholm Castle bus stop. At other times during the year, the bus will stop at the Kastelholm or Tosarby vsk bus stop along route 2, which is a 10-minute walk from the castle.
]]>The region of Finland was captured from Sweden by Russia in 1809 and remained part of the Russian Empire until 1917. Starting from around 1899, Russia tightened its grip on Finland, hence the Russian military presence in the area.
Åland had a certain degree of strategic importance for Russia as it was the westernmost point of the whole empire. The battery on Kungsö was one of the ten coastal batteries that the Russians built on Åland in 1916, during the First World War. This defense line stretched from Åland in the north to Hiiumaa and Saaremaa in Estonia. The goal was to block the Gulf of Finland and control the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia.
On Kungsö battery hill there is a 2 kilometre long paved Russian military road and a barracks area of a Russian coastal battery that was built on the top of Dalsberg hill in 1916–1918. The battery was placed at the highest point on Dalsberg, 32 metres above sea level. The battery also included a barracks complex for a crew of about 100 men.
Finland declared independence from Russia in December 1917. Kungsö Battery was invaded by Finnish, Swedish and German troops in 1918. In 1919 it was demolished by Finnish civilian workers.
The ruins of the battery are not very well preserved yet it is a site that people enjoy hiking or cycling around. There is a watchtower that offers a breathtaking view over the southwestern coast of Åland. At the top, there are signs and information boards. Around the fortification is a 3 kilometre long trail that leads through varied terrain. The grounds of the buildings and demolished canon stands can be seen. On the road back to Mariehamn visitors may stop at the nature reservations of Ramsholmen.
Kungsö is a village located in the municipality of Jomala around 11 kilometres from Mariehamn and the site is quite remote. The battery is easily accessible by either car or bicycle. To get there by car, travel on Road 1 towards Eckerö, turn left at Gottby, left again towards Båtviken and follow the signs.
]]>Located in central Finland, the Protestant church was erected between 1763 and 1765. Its architectural style, which blends elements from Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic design is typical for that part of Northern Europe. Construction on this beautiful masterpiece of woodwork was led by Jaakko Leppänen, a local master builder. The bell tower was added later in 1821, by his grandson Erkki Leppänen. The entire structure was created using pinewood, which was found in abundance in the surrounding Finnish forests.
By 1879 the church went out of use and began to slowly deteriorate. The structure could have been lost to the elements if Polish-Austrian art historian Josef Strzygowski hadn’t noticed its beauty and historical value. Restoration works began in the 1920s, bringing life back to the wooden marvel.
The UNESCO World Heritage site can be found at Lake Solikkojärvi and is surrounded by wild countryside, ranging from dense forests and lakes to agricultural fields. The graveyard surrounding the wooden church is still in use by the local community, with the building itself being open during the summer months.
For visitors who want to stay for the night, there is an old 18th century farm next to the wooden church. Part of the World Heritage site, it offers rooms in the old cowshed and in the idyllic granary of the main building.
There are two main ways to get to the old wooden church – either by car or by train. If going from Helsinki, one can take the train up to Jyväskylä (sometimes a change in Tampere is required) and then change to Petäjävesi. The journey can take from 4-6 hours one way.
]]>This site also features as one of our Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Finland.
The cathedral is located in Porvoo, on the southern coast of Finland, and is dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The first incarnation of Porvoo Cathedral was started in the 13th century and, whilst parts of the original survive to this day, its current look mostly dates back to 1414-1418, when it was rebuilt.
It was originally made of wood, with the first stone walls being built between 1410 and 1420. In about 1450, the church was expanded towards the east and south.
The pulpit was made in 1764, and the interior is decorated with wall paintings which date to the end of the 15th century. The oldest parts of the separate belfry date to medieval times, with its present appearance dating to the 18th century.
Over the centuries, Porvoo Cathedral has been destroyed multiple times, mainly due to fire: in 1508 due to Danish forces, and in 1571, 1590, and 1708 by Russian forces. In 2006, an arson attack led to the outer roof collapsing; however, the inner ceiling and cathedral interior remained intact.
In 1809, Porvoo Cathedral played an important role in the nation’s history as the opening site of Finland’s first Diet in which the country was affirmed as an autonomous Grand Duchy.
Today, visitors can enjoy Porvoo’s historic and gothic exterior, and the interiors which are decorated with paintings from the end of the 15th century. There is also a large historic organ from which evocative music is occasionally played. Though the church isn’t richly decorated, its simplicity and quiet makes it a popular stop for reflection or worship for visitors and locals alike.
Today, the church can accommodate 750 people. Services are held in Finnish on Sundays at 10am and in Swedish at 12 noon. It is possible to attend free concerts within the cathedral, and guided tours are also available.
From the centre of Finland’s capital city, Helsinki, Porvoo Cathedral is a 45 minute drive via the E18 road. There is also a regular bus schedule from Helsinki, linja-autoasema, Kamppi which takes just over an hour to reach the city. From the centre of Porvoo, the fastest way to reach the cathedral is by foot, via the Fredsgatan/Rauhankatu/Route 1552 and Kirkkokatu/Kyrkogatan/Route 1601 roads.
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Raseborg Castle was intended to defend the then Swedish territory, Southern Finland. Constructed as the administrative centre of Western Uusimaa to keep watch over the shipping and trade in the Gulf of Finland, it would go on to be the focal point of clashes with the Danes as well as pirates.
At the time of its construction, Raseborg Castle would have bordered the sea, however, dropping sea levels have rendered it land-locked and it now perches dramatically atop a set of rocks. It was also this increasing distance from the sea, together with the founding of Helsinki in 1550, which is said to have contributed to the eventual abandonment of Raseborg Castle in 1558.
The castle lay abandoned for more than 300 years, until the first restoration began in the 1880s.
Today, visitors to Raseborg Castle can see its restored outer wall as well as its other ruins, including those of a wooden barrier which once encircled the castle, stopping entrance to the harbour to foreign ships. Guided tours are also available.
Midsummer celebrations, ancient markets, medieval events, high-class concerts, and theatrical performances in Swedish are organised at Raseborg every summer. The restaurant and café Slottsknektens stuga serves local food throughout the summer, and upon request during the winter.
Raseborg Castle also features as one of our Top 10 Visitor Attractions in Finland.
From the city of Turku, the castle is reachable in around an hour and 45 minutes via E18 and Route 52. There are a number of public transport options available which are fairly tricky but take around 2 hours. By bus, stop at the Raaseporin linnanrauniot stop, and walk around 6 minutes to the castle ruins.
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