Hämeenlinna (Finnish:[ˈhæmeːnˌlinːɑ];Swedish:Tavastehus;Karelian:Hämienlinna;Latin:Tavastum orCroneburgum[6]) is acity inFinland and the regional capital ofKanta-Häme. It is located in the southern interior of the country and on the shores ofLake Vanajavesi. The population of Hämeenlinna is approximately 68,000, while thesub-region has a population of approximately 94,000. It is the 15th most populousmunicipality in Finland, and the 14th most populousurban area in the country.
Hämeenlinna was located in the heart of the historic province ofHäme (Tavastia). Since then, Hämeenlinna has remained an important regional centre. The medievalHäme Castle (also known asTavastia Castle) is located in the town.
Hämeenlinna is known as the birthplace of the Finnish national composerJean Sibelius and designerAntti Nurmesniemi. It is now part of the Kanta-Häme region and was the residence of theGovernor of the province ofSouthern Finland until 2010. Nearby cities include the capitalHelsinki (98 km or 61 mi),Tampere (73 km or 45 mi) andLahti (72 km or 45 mi), the regional centre ofPäijät-Häme.
Thecoat of arms of Hämeenlinna is based on the 17th-centurytown seal, which in turn refers to the Häme Castle built by the Lake Vanajavesi in the Middle Ages, near which the city was founded. The current coat of arms was designed byGustaf von Numers on the basis of the old coat of arms, and was confirmed on September 21, 1956.[8][9]
Vanaja is the name of a settlement next to Vanajavesi that had been in existence since theViking Age. TheHäme Castle was built in the late 13th century by the order of RegentBirger Jarl to secure Swedish power in central Finland. A village was established near Häme Castle to provide services and goods to its inhabitants.
The village was granted city rights as the first inland city in Finland on January 19, 1639, by CountPer Brahe the Younger,[10] but Hämeenlinna, which still after that looked more like a rural village, developed very slowly, which was a typical problem for inland cities in Finland compared to the most prosperous coastal cities.[11] In 1777,King Gustav III of Sweden moved it one kilometre (0.6 miles) south to the hill on which it still stands.[11]
During theFinnish Civil War in 1918, Hämeenlinna was initially in the area controlled by theReds, but theWhites captured the city with the help of the Germans in theBattle of Hämeenlinna.[13] After the war, the Hämeenlinnaprison camp established for Red prisoners operated in the Poltinaho barracks area, and it was known as one of the most notorious high-discipline camps in the history of the Civil War, where female prisoners were also kept.[14] By mid-September, over 2,000 Red prisoners died in the prison camp,[15] mainly for communicable diseases such assmallpox,scarlet fever,typhus andSpanish flu.[16]
After World War II, Hämeenlinna underwent significant transformation as Finland shifted from a wartime economy to peacetime recovery. The city experienced substantial reconstruction efforts, which included the renovation of damaged infrastructure and the development of new housing to accommodate returning soldiers and their families.[17]
Häme County received 73,812 war refugees fromKarelia. Of all the war refugees, 90 percent were Finns. Hämeenlinna specifically welcomed these refugees, and the Ojoinen Borough was constructed to accommodate them.[18][19][20][21]
Post-war period saw an increase in population as people moved to Hämeenlinna for job opportunities in various sectors. Hämeenlinna also embraced industrialisation during this era, with manufacturing becoming a cornerstone of its economy. The city's strategic location facilitated trade and transport, further promoting economic development.[17]
The establishment of educational institutions, such asthe Häme University of Applied Sciences, contributed to the city's growth and modernisation. Additionally, cultural initiatives flourished, with museums and theaters enhancing the local cultural landscape.The Artillery Museum of Finland, which opened in 1997, became a key attraction, showcasing the military history and heritage of the region.[22][23][24][25]
The Prime Ministers and ministers of Finland and Sweden gathered for a historic and joint meeting in Hämeenlinna in 2009.[26]
There are a total of 339 lakes in whole or in part in the area of the city of Hämeenlinna. The largest of them areLake Vanajavesi,Lake Kukkia andLake Kuohijärvi.[27] The main features of the Hämeenlinna landscape are the Häme Lake Plateau, the Vanajavesi Valley and the Kanta-Häme Grove Center. In many places, the landscapes are marked by the prosperousTavastianagricultural culture.[28][29]
The city has severalnature reserves, the largest of which are located in the popularrecreation areas ofAulanko and Ahvenisto on the outskirts of the city. In total, there are 31Natura 2000 areas in the city of Hämeenlinna.[30] In addition, Hämeenlinna has Finland's firstnational urban park, established in 2001.[31]
The center of Hämeenlinna is located on the Saarinen Hill on the shores ofLake Vanajavesi, and is bordered on the west byHighway 3 (E12), whileHighway 10 bypasses the city to the south and east.[34]
Raatihuoneenkatu, which has been partially transformed into a pedestrian street, is the most significant shopping street in the city center; for example, at the western end of the street, theGoodman Shopping Center was completed in October 2014.[36]
There are plenty of buildings of different styles in the city center, and in proportion to the city's population, it is quite large and densely built. The most significant expansion direction in the city center in the 2010s has been the Keinusaari district on the other side of Lake Vanajavesi, where, for example, thecity's railway station is located.
Supplementary construction has also been carried out in the city center on an ongoing basis. The center of Hämeenlinna has been ridiculed as the "Finland's largest lit cemetery".[37]
The city of Hämeenlinna has 68,473 inhabitants, making it the 15th most populous municipality in Finland. TheHämeenlinna region has a population of 93,816.
Population size of Hämeenlinna (and merged municipalities) 1990–2020[39]
Hämeenlinna is a monolingualFinnish-speaking municipality. As of 2024[update], the majority of the population, 62,880 persons (91.9%), spoke Finnish as their first language. In addition, the number ofSwedish speakers was 272 persons (0.4%) of the population. Foreign languages were spoken by7.7% of the population.[40] AsEnglish andSwedish are compulsory school subjects, functional bilingualism or trilingualism acquired through language studies is not uncommon.
At least 40 different languages are spoken in Hämeenlinna. The most common foreign languages areEstonian (0.7%),Russian (0.7%),Ukrainian (0.7%),Arabic (0.7%) andPersian (0.5%).[40]
As of 2024[update], there were 5,308 persons with a foreign background living in Hämeenlinna, or 8% of the population.[note 1] The number of residents who were born abroad was 5,143, or 8% of the population. The number of persons with foreign citizenship living in Hämeenlinna was 3,809. Most foreign-born citizens came from the formerSoviet Union,Estonia,Sri Lanka andUkraine.[40]
The relative share of immigrants in Hämeenlinna's population is lower than the national average.[citation needed]
The church of Hämeenlinna by architectLouis Jean Desprez. The church was completed in 1798.
In 2023, theEvangelical Lutheran Church was the largest religious group with 67.8% of the population of Hämeenlinna. Other religious groups accounted for 2.5% of the population. 29.7% of the population had no religious affiliation.[42]
An essential livelihood in the town during the 1600s was the markets, which were held regularly, especially aroundSaint Olaf's Day in July and during the winter markets. At market times, many people gathered in Hämeenlinna, and the production and sale of beer were significant sources of income. Tavern keeping and the production of spirits were also important means of livelihood. In the mid-1700s, a guild system began to form, showing the development of craft professions.[43]
Industry in Hämeenlinna began to slowly develop toward the end of the 1700s. In 1761, aflax factory was established where various fabrics were woven; this was one of the early attempts to move toward industrial production. This enterprise operated for about a decade but did not ultimately succeed for long. The more extensive industrialisation period began only later in the 1800s.[43]
Alongside agriculture and craftsmanship, the town's livelihoods included particularly the cultivation of flax and hemp and the textiles made from them. In the Häme region, including the surroundings of Hämeenlinna, flax cultivation was significant throughout the 1700s. Hämeenlinna's position as an inland town was seen as important for developing factories, craftsmen, and plantations, even though these forms of industry were slowly adopted in the town.[43]
Old Brewery at Arvi Kariston katu.Villa Schmausser in the brewery block.
In the 19th century, Hämeenlinna had a notable history ofdistilleries andbreweries. The beer brewery in Hämeenlinna was founded Johan Fredrik Lönnholtz around 1850.[44][45]
Ownership of the brewery changed hands in 1883 when J. F. Schmausser purchased it. He continued developing the business and obtained new production and sales rights. In 1904, due to the death of Schmausser, the brewery was managed by various parties until new arrangements were made. The brewery operated under different company names until it ceased operations in 1917.[44]
Hämeenlinna Verkatehdas Oy was founded on February 17, 1895, on the shore of Lake Vanajavesi. Initially, aweaving mill andpower plant were built, followed by a spinning mill, repair workshops, and villas for the management. The factory quickly became the city's most significant industrial site and was a pioneer in introducing electric lighting in Hämeenlinna.[46]
After the Finnish independence, it grew to become one of the country's largest wool factories. After the World War II, there were up to 1,300 employees working at Verkatehdas, and production reached record levels.[46]
In the 2010s, Hämeenlinna became entangled in the controversial Sunny Car Center initiative, collaborating with businessman Markku Ritaluoma in an ambitious attempt to create Europe's largestcar dealership. The project faced persistent challenges and was ultimately abandoned after the cancellation of the essential land sale. In 2023, Ritaluoma received a custodial sentence of two years and six months for multiple counts of aggravated fraud, aggravated debtor dishonesty, and aggravated tax offences. Today, only the advertising tower's base - an estimated €25,000 investment - remains as a tangible testament to the venture. The affair brought considerable embarrassment to the city, provoked widespread national derision, and contributed to turbulence in Hämeenlinna's municipal politics.[48]
The MORE business area is a joint project of Hämeenlinna andJanakkala. The municipalities aim to expand the area to 1,000 hectares in size. In 2024, MORE had about 150 companies and around 1,500 employees. A doctoral dissertation at theUniversity of Vaasa states that the best locations for logistics in theNordic countries areOslo inNorway,Stockholm inSweden, and Hämeenlinna inFinland. Hämeenlinna is located within an hour's drive fromHelsinki,Turku, andTampere. Major ports and airports are nearby. MORE cooperates withHäme University of Applied Sciences and the Tavastia Education Consortium to ensure the availability of labor.[49][50][51]
Hämeenlinna is home toHAMK Häme University of Applied Sciences' headquarters.[52] Founded in 1873, Hämeenlinna Lyceum has many cultural influencers. The school is one of the most famous educational institutions in Finland, as many well-known Finns have graduated from the institution; examples include master composerJean Sibelius and presidentJuho Kusti Paasikivi.[53] Hämeenlinna Lyceum has a middle school (grades 7–9) and a high school. Another of the high schools in Hämeenlinna's inner city is Kauriala High School. Hämeenlinna's Lyceum and Kauriala High School were to be combined in the fall of 2018 to form a large high school with more than a thousand students on the Hattelmala campus of the Tavastia Education Consortium.[54] However, the city council decided to cancel the high school project in the spring of 2018, and the high schools will continue to be separate.[55]
Hämeenlinna Art Museum. Former Crown Warehouse designed by Carl Ludvig Engel.
Hämeenlinna is home to a diverse range of museums, includingHäme Castle, Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Iittala Glass Museum, Prison Museum, Skogster Museum (Hämeenlinna City Museum), Birthplace ofJean Sibelius, and Artillery, Engineer and Signals Museum of Finland (Militaria Museum).[56]
Verkatehdas is a well-known cultural and conference center situated in Hämeenlinna, Finland. Originally a textile factory, it has been repurposed into a versatile venue that hosts a wide range of events and activities.[57]
BioRex Verkatehdas: This modern cinema, located within the complex, features five screening rooms equipped with advanced technology, including 4K laser projectors and Xpandin 3D capabilities.[58]
Hämeenlinna Art Museum: Situated in the Verkatehdas area, this museum showcases Finnish and international visual art. It boasts an extensive collection of over 8,000 works and frequently hosts temporary exhibitions.[59]
Hämeenlinna is emerging as a notable gastronomy destination in Finland, characterized by its diverse culinary offerings and a growing number of high-quality restaurants.[60]
In the 1980s, the following dishes were named Hämeenlinna's traditional cuisine: as a daily meal, smokedham andsourdough bread; as a festive meal, theherring wrapped inrye dough orkalaleipä, i.e. "fish bread",buttermilk andbeer, and theriistansylttääjän lintupaisti, which ispheasant stuffed withalmonds, potato and apple slices.[61]
Wanaja Festival is annual music festival held in Linnanpuisto, this event has grown in popularity, showcasing both local and international artists. It attracts large crowds each summer, emphasizing Hämeenlinna's vibrant music scene.[62]
Häme Medieval Festival celebrates medieval culture with activities, performances, and markets. It has become a staple event in August, drawing visitors interested in history and reenactments.[63]
Football team Hämeenlinnan Jalkapalloseura plaus in the third-tierKakkonen, and the women's representative team of Hämeenlinnan Jalkapalloseura plays in the Naisten Kakkonen.[65]
^"Hämeenlinna".Järviwiki (in Finnish). Retrieved4 March 2021.
^Jutila, Heli; Harju, Hannu (2005)."Kalvolan luonto-opas"(PDF).Hämeenlinnan seudun kansanterveystyön kuntayhtymän ympäristöosasto, NAPA-projekti (in Finnish). Retrieved4 March 2021.
^Jutila, Heli; Harju, Hannu (2004)."Rengon luonto-opas"(PDF).Hämeenlinnan seudun kansanterveystyön kuntayhtymän ympäristöosasto, NAPA-projekti (in Finnish). Retrieved4 March 2021.
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