Hämeenlinna (Swedish name Tavastehus), chief town of Häme province, is attractively situated on a long, narrow lake, the Vanajavesi. The Hattelmala hills are a boundary to the south of Hämeenlinna. The town was founded by the Swedish governor, Per Brahe, in 1639 on a site to the north of the 13th century Tavastehus Castle, which he enlarged and strengthened. The red brick castle is one of the noted landmarks along with Aulanko Park. The town of Hämeenlinna was moved to its present site in 1777. Its economy depends primarily on timber-processing, with some metalworking.
Hämeenlinna was the birthplace of the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) and the poet Paavo Cajander (1846-1913). J. K. Paasakivi, President of Finland from 1946 to 1956, went to school here.
To the north of Hämeenlinna, on the shores of the Vanajavesi, stands the well-preserved castle of Hämeenlinna (Swedish Tavastehus Slott), begun by the Swedish king Birger Jarl in 1260 and completed by Per Brahe in 1639. Still farther north we come to the Municipal Park (fine views).
Address: Häme Castle, Kustaa III, n katu 6, SF-13100 Hämeenlinna, Finland
Hours:
January 2 to May 31: 10am-6pm; Sun:11am-4pm; Sat:11am-4pm
June 1 to August 14: 10am-6pm
September 1 to December 15: 10am-4pm; Sun:11am-4pm; Sat:11am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Summer solstice - First day of summer (June 21), New Year's Eve (December 31), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
4.5km/3mi north of the Hämeenlinna railroad station is Aulanko Park, a nature reserve with extensive recreational facilities (riding, golf, water sports) and a mock ruined castle (performances of fairytale plays in summer). From the tower of the castle there are extensive views. Below, in a cave, is a sculpture of a group of bears by R. C. Stignell. In the Silk House is an exhibition on silk manufacture.
Address: Hämeenlinna City Tourist Office, Raatihuoneenkatu 11, SF-13100 Hämeenlinna, Finland
Hämeenlinna Children's Festival in the Castle is held in August.
The festival takes place in early August and each year focuses on a different country. The events include puppet theaters, drama, concerts, exhibitions and workshops.
The events take place in and around the Häme castle.
54km/34mi west of Hämeenlinna is the industrial town of Forssa (pop. 20,000). An old spinning-mill (established 1847) now houses the Museum of South-Western Häme. In the Rottismäki district is a museum of workers' housing.
A narrow-gauge railroad runs in summer between Jokioinen and Minkiö, to the west of Forssa.
Forssa is noted for a number of annual events including the Holjat Festival in August and Pick-Nick, the biggest one-day car show in Northern Europe.
Near Hämeenlinna's Sibelius Park, at Lukiokatu 6, is the Historical Museum, with an interesting collection illustrating the history and culture of Häme province, together with much material from the museum of Viipori (Swedish Viborg), now in Russia.
Address: Hämeenlinna Historical Museum, Lukiokatu 6, SF-13100 Hämeenlinna, Finland
In the center of Hämeenlinna is the Market Square (Kauppatori). On its east side stands the Lutheran church (1798), with a statue of Paavo Cajander in the gardens in front of it. On the south side of the square is the Town Hall (1885).
At the Ahvenisto racecourse, on the western outskirts of Hämeenlinna, is the Motor Museum (open in summer), with a collection going back to the early days of motoring and nearby a sports center.
Always closed on: Epiphany (3 Kings' Day ) - Christian (January 6), New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Halloween (October 31), Independence Day - Finland (December 6), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Tips: The evenings before a public holidy, the museum closes at 4:00 pm.
11km/7mi from Hattula is the junction with Road 12, which skirts Lake Pintele to Pälkäne (10km/6mi). 1.5km/1mi north of the town on the road to Ihari is its old church (ca. 1400).
Pälkäne merged with Luopioinen in 2007 to create a larger municipality.
From Hämeenlinna Road 3 (E 12) runs south, coming in 20km/12.5mi to Tervakoski, with the Puuhamaa children's park (over 50 entertainment facilities for both children and adults).
Address: Puuhamaa Children's Park, Puuhamaa Oy Vähikkäläntie 11, SF-12400 Tervakoski, Finland
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