The medieval castle of Hämeenlinna

There are 3 medieval castles in Finland.

Hämeenlinna is the closest to Helsinki, it is 100 km from Helsinki, and the trip there with a visit to the fortress will take 4-5 hours.

Häme Castle experienced glory and oblivion during its seven centuries of history. Like many castles of Finland from a wooden fort, it turned into a stone fortress, then served as a palace for the nobility, a granary, a prison and, finally, a monument of culture. Nowadays, Häme Castle has been restored to its old structure so that visitors can see the setting of the Middle Ages.

In the 18th century, the castle housed a bakery that baked bread for soldiers of the Swedish army. From 1837 to 1952 there was a prison here. After the prison was closed, the castle was restored and now it is a museum complex, where medieval fairs, reenactor fights and city holidays are traditionally held.

There is a cafe in the castle where you can have coffee or lunch.