Welcome to Mystical Hämeenlinna
Take a look beneath the surface of Hämeenlinna and beyond the reality of everyday life.
Hämeenlinna. Mystical since 1639.
The history of Hämeenlinna dates back to the Middle Ages – and it has left its mark. For centuries, the castle walls, the corridors of manor houses, and the old cobblestones of the streets have gathered stories, legends, and unexplained fates that remain intertwined with the city’s present.
Ancient Tavastian Kekri traditions and beliefs also live on strongly in Hämeenlinna, where the worlds of the living and the deceased exist side by side – drawing closer to each other during the time of Kekri.
In the late autumn evenings, the darkness deepens, the mist rising from Lake Vanajavesi wraps all of Hämeenlinna in its embrace, and the stories of the historic city’s past come to life.
Step into the Shadows of Vanajanlinna, be enchanted by the atmosphere of Kekri and the pumpkin festival, take a trip to the sacred sites of ancient Hämeenlinna, known as hiisi, and tour the locations of the city’s most chilling ghost stories!
The hometown of ghost stories.
Take a glimpse into the Middle Ages and the days of glory and decline of the best-preserved stone castle in the Nordic countries! The best way to explore the over 700-year-old Häme Castle is through a guided tour included in the admission fee, which is organized in both Finnish and English. In December, the traditional St. Thomas Market is held at the castle.
Exploring the ancient sacred sites
The Hämeenlinna region contains numerous nature sites where village communities gathered to provide offerings to various gods and spirits of the deceased in hopes of better livelihoods. These sacred sites, mostly established during the late Iron Age, were called hiisi. With the arrival of Christianity, the original meaning of the hiisi was forgotten, and in people’s minds, they became the terrifying dwelling places of giants, trolls, and devils.