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The Raseborg castle ruins are found in the village of Snappertuna, nowadays part of the city of Ekenäs (Tammisaari) in the region of Western Nyland (Uusimaa) in the southernmost part of Finland. The castle is open in 2008 |
| The Raseborg castle ruins, situated on a rock by the river Raseborg, are the remainders of a castle that was probably built in the 14th century, when the rock was still surrounded by water. Raseborg is officially mentioned for the first time in a letter dated 1378. It is a typical medieval castle of a simpler kind that has been constructed during a long time period. There is no other similar castle in Finland. Strategic meaning Raseborg’s greatest importance was probably in the area of trade. It was constructed on a sheltered location on the south coast, presumably to defend Swedish interests against the successful Hanseatic town Reval (Tallinn). Both Danish and Swedish troops, as well as more undefinable pirate fleets, fought over the command of the castle, which shows that the castle was regarded as an important base. On the so called Galgbacken (Gallows Hill) north of the castle ruins, bishop Hemming Gadh was executed in December 1520. That was Christian II getting even with his political opponents. When Gustavus Vasa seized power and made Ekenäs the centre of administration in the province in 1528, Raseborg lost its strategic importance. It was abandoned in the 1550’s and laid deserted for more than 300 years. Raseborg experienced its heyday in the middle of the 15th century when (the expelled) king Karl Knutsson Bonde kept court in the castle on repeated occasions. The first restoration in the 1890's The first restoration was begun in 1890, and thereafter Raseborg has been renovated several times. Today the museum authorities have definitely put a stop to further measures after having completed a preservation in 1988 that lasted for twelve years. According to the experts within the museum authorities, it is impossible to restore the castle to its original condition, since it is not known in detail what it looked like. No archaeological excavations have been carried out around the castle, but a pre-mapping was done in the summer of 1991. The Raseborg castle ruins is the most impressive historical monument in the city of Ekenäs and the entire region. The ruins are administered by a committee of representatives for among others the city of Ekenäs and the museum authorities. Midsummer celebrations, ancient markets, medieval events, high-class concerts and theatrical performances are organised at Raseborg in the summer on behalf of "Raseborgs Festspel" (Raseborg Festival). A beautiful forest path, ”Kärleksstigen” (Lovers’ Walk), leads from the Raseborg castle ruins to the folk museum ”Snappertuna Forngård”, an old fisherman/farmers house. Along the path the distance to the museum is about 300 m. In the vicinity (500 m) is also a youth hostel, Snappertuna vandrarhem, and the charming old wooden church of Snappertuna parish. |
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Raseborg Castle Ruins
