Old Castle of Lieto
Encyclopedia
Old Castle of Lieto is a formerly fortified hill
in Lieto
, Finland
. The original name of the castle is not known. According to excavations, the castle has been in use in the Late Bronze Age (1500–500 BCE), in Middle Iron Age (500–700 CE, contested) and in the Middle Ages
up to the end of the 14th century, when it was replaced by the "new castle
" in Turku
harbour. It probably served as the first Swedish
fortress in Finland from the mid-13th century onwards after the Second Swedish Crusade
. Constructions on the hilltop were mostly of wood. In the latest phase, some bricks were used as well.
The castle was located between two ancient transport routes: Aura river
and "Oxen Way of Tavastia" (Hämeen Härkätie) leading to central Tavastia
. Its importance decreased when the Turku castle
was finished in beginning of the 14th century.
The steep hillside supported by wooden fortifications on top of the hill provided a good defensive position. Archaeological excavations have produced evidence of a 14th century battle on the site.
which received it as a donation in the 1950s by the previous owners, Mauno and Ester Wanhalinna who had decorated the place as a manor home. In accordance to the donation charter, Vanhalinna also houses a museum with archaeological finds on display on eras of Varsinais-Suomi, starting from Stone Ages. Folk cultural department shows agrarian tools and life.
Hill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
in Lieto
Lieto
Lieto is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Finland Proper region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is ....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. The original name of the castle is not known. According to excavations, the castle has been in use in the Late Bronze Age (1500–500 BCE), in Middle Iron Age (500–700 CE, contested) and in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
up to the end of the 14th century, when it was replaced by the "new castle
Turku Castle
Turku Castle is a monument of Finnish history situated in the city of Turku in Finland. Together with Turku Cathedral, the castle is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Finland. Turku Castle is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland and one of the largest surviving medieval...
" in Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
harbour. It probably served as the first Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
fortress in Finland from the mid-13th century onwards after the Second Swedish Crusade
Second Swedish Crusade
The Second Swedish Crusade was a Swedish military expedition to areas in present-day Finland by Birger jarl in the 13th century. As a result of the crusade, Finland became permanently part of Sweden for the next 550 years.-Year of the crusade:...
. Constructions on the hilltop were mostly of wood. In the latest phase, some bricks were used as well.
The castle was located between two ancient transport routes: Aura river
Aura River
The Aura River is a river in south-western Finland. Its sources are in the town of Oripää, and it flows through Pöytyä, Aura and Lieto before discharging into the Archipelago Sea in the middle of the city of Turku. The total length of the river is about , and it contains eleven rapids, the biggest...
and "Oxen Way of Tavastia" (Hämeen Härkätie) leading to central Tavastia
Tavastia
Tavastia may refer to:* Tavastia , a historical province of the kingdom of Sweden, located in modern-day Finland* Tavastia Proper, a modern region of Finland* Päijänne Tavastia, another region of Finland...
. Its importance decreased when the Turku castle
Turku Castle
Turku Castle is a monument of Finnish history situated in the city of Turku in Finland. Together with Turku Cathedral, the castle is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Finland. Turku Castle is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland and one of the largest surviving medieval...
was finished in beginning of the 14th century.
The steep hillside supported by wooden fortifications on top of the hill provided a good defensive position. Archaeological excavations have produced evidence of a 14th century battle on the site.
Today: Vanhalinna Museum
The area is currently owned by the University of TurkuUniversity of Turku
The University of Turku , located in Turku in southwestern Finland, is the second largest university in the country as measured by student enrollment, after University of Helsinki. It was established in 1920 and also has faculties at Rauma, Pori and Salo...
which received it as a donation in the 1950s by the previous owners, Mauno and Ester Wanhalinna who had decorated the place as a manor home. In accordance to the donation charter, Vanhalinna also houses a museum with archaeological finds on display on eras of Varsinais-Suomi, starting from Stone Ages. Folk cultural department shows agrarian tools and life.
External links
- Homepage of the museum (in Finnish)
- Archaeology site (in Finnish)
- Vanhalinna-themed net educational materials (in Finnish)