Hameenlinna History, Finland

Hameenlinna, or what is popularly called as Tavastehus in Swedish, is an exceptional and beautiful city and municipality of approximately 48000 inhabitants in the very center of the Hame historical province in the south of Finland. Today, the city belongs to the area of Tavastia Proper and is also the famous residence of the Governor of Southern Finland province. Nearby places of the city includes Tampere, the capital of Helsinki and Lahti. The medieval and famous Hame Castle is ideally located in the city of Hameenlinna.

As far as the history of Hameenlinna is concerned, there had been a settlement called as Vanaja where the city presently stands since the Age of Vikings. The castle was constructed in the late 13th Century in order to secure the Swedish power in the central parts of Finland. A village was then born in a nearby location of the Hame Castle in order to provide goods and services to the inhabitants.

The village was then granted the city rights in the year 1639 after which the King of Sweden shifted it to about a kilometer south on the hill, where it now stands.

The city of Hameenlinna is well known and popular for its academics as well as schools where the famous Finns earlier studied. Government, military as well as schools have characterized the life of this city all through its history. The very first railway line of Finland was opened between Helsinki and Hameenlinna in the year 1862. Even the present railway station of Hameenlinna was constructed in 1921.

The primary reason why one would want to visit the city of Hameenlinna is basically to watch the birthplace of the popular composer Jean Sibelius, who was born here in 1865. The composer graduated from Hameenlinna Lyseo in 1885. The garrison town is constructed around a stunning castle dating from the 13th C on the very waterfront of a marvelous lake. The popularly known natural park of Aulanko Karlberg is also located in the vicinity.

Even the famous poet Eino Leino graduated from the high school in the city. Other notable person who are linked  to the city of Hameenlinna is Antony Hamalainen, vocalist for Greek/Swedish Melodic Death Metal, Nightrage. Also the Viking or fold metal band of Turisas is from this great city. Jenni Dahlman and Kimi Raikkonen, the Formula 1 driver, got married in this charming city of Hameenlinna in the year 2004.