Hame Castle

Hame Castle (Hämeenlinna) is a medieval site in Hämeenlinna, Finland, between Helsinki and Tampere. It has served as a royal house, a granary, and a prison.

While the exact period of construction of Hame Castle is unknown, it is generally dated to the late 13th century. Many historians link it to Earl Birger's Swedish crusade, who landed here somewhere during that century, considering the fortress as a way to help Sweden consolidate dominance in central Finland. Hame Castle would be under development for centuries, regardless of when it was founded.

Hame Castle's brick parts date from the 14th century. The use of brick makes the site distinctive in that it was one of the first places in Finland to do so. The increasing splendor of the building materials over the years reflects Hame Castle's overall prominence. It was indeed linked to many of Finland's most significant circles from the 14th through the 16th centuries.

The collapse of Hame Castle began in the late 16th century, aided in part by King Gustav I of Sweden's reformations. After the Great Northern War, it experienced a brief recovery, but its main functions in the 19th and 20th centuries were as a granary and prison.

The castle is now a famous tourist destination for both tourists and locals. The fortified camp, which is the oldest component of Hame Castle, is still open to visitors. This consists mostly of an imposing, massive defense wall with numerous towers. A ruin of an old well can also be found.

In the summer, guided tours begin at 10 a.m. and last all day, which is highly recommended because the majority of the signage throughout the castle is in Finnish and Swedish.

Location: Hämeenlinna, Finland