Hakoinen Castle

Hakoinen Castle (Hakoisten linnavuori in Finnish) are the ruins of a fortification on a hill in Janakkala, Finland. Dated medieval, the fortification was situated on a very steep rock by lake Kernaala (Kernaalanjärvi) reminiscent of a hill fort tradition. The top of the rock is 63 meters above the water level in the lake. Today very little remains of the castle. Equally little is known about its origins. One postulation is that it was built by the Swedes as their original stronghold in the medieval Häme area.

The name of the castle is unhistorical and taken from the close Hakoinen mansion (Haga gård in Swedish). The original name is not known, but it may have been "Häme Castle" (Tavastehus in Swedish) which today is used about a later castle in the nearby town of Hämeenlinna. A source from 1625 calls Hakoinen as the "old Tauaste hus". "Tauestahus" Castle is first mentioned in sources in 1308.

The castle was probably built at the end of the 13th century. During the Swedish-Novgorodian Wars, it was attacked by invading Novgorodian forces in 1311 as described in the Novgorod Chronicle:

"The men of Novgorod went in war over sea to the country of the Germans (Swedes), against the Finnish (Yem) people -- And the Germans fell back into the citadel. For the place was very strong and firm, on a high rock, not having access from any side. And they sent with greeting, asking for peace, but the men of Novgorod did not grant peace, and they stood three days and three nights wasting the district."

Hakoinen castle was probably mostly abandoned after the war[], and Häme Castle some 15 kilometers northwards was built to replace it. Some activity seems to have remained in Hakoinen until 1380s. The castle rock was later a part of a large estate belonging to the bailiff of Häme Castle.

According to excavations, the castle was divided into two parts. Lower defensive constructions were mostly made of wood. Constructions on the rock were made of bricks and rocks. The castle probably had one tower.

The site has only been excavated in the early 20th century.

References

Further reading

  • At Home Within Stone Walls: Life in the late medieval Häme Castle. Toim. Anna-Maria Vilkuna, Johanna Onnela, Terhi Mikkola, Päivi Luuppi, Markus Hiekkanen ja Knut Drake. Archaeologia Medii Aevi Finlandiae VII. (2003)
  • Hämeen Linna - The castle of Häme. Toim. Pirjo Poutanen ja Katleena Kortesuo. (2000)
  • Taavitsainen, Jussi-Pekka; Ancient hillforts of Finland: problems of analysis, chronology and interpretation with special reference to the hillfort of Kuhmoinen. (1990)
  • Hämeen linna. Kirj. Sampo Ahto, Pertti Kilkki ja Rainer Knapas,Sotasokeat, (1973)
  • Ailio, Julius; Hämeen linnan, esi- ja rakennushistoria (1917)
  • Rinne, Juhani; Suomen keskiaikaiset mäkilinnat (1914)
  • Heikel, A. O.; Muinaisjäännöksiä. Hauhon kihlakunta, Suomalaisen Tiedeseuran Bidrag-sarja 29.
  • Janakkalan historia. Janakkalan kunta (1976). ISBN 951-99089-1-9.

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Jere Sokka
12 August 2015
Perhaps not worth traveling longer distances just because of the place, but when driving by, a great and easy place to stop and admire the nice view.
Antti Roos
3 October 2011
Most awesome view over Janakkala on a clear day.
Antti Roos
3 October 2011
Holds a geocache too!
Load more comments
foursquare.com
5.1/10
644 people have been here
Map
0.1km from Hakoisten kartano, 14240 Janakkala, Finland Get directions

Hakoisten linnavuori on Foursquare

Hakoinen Castle on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Hämeenlinna

starting $263

Cumulus Resort Aulanko

starting $140

Scandic Riihimäki

starting $152

Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport

starting $0

Cumulus City Hämeenlinna

starting $131

Cumulus City Hyvinkää

starting $177

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Puuhamaa

Puuhamaa is a amusement park opened in 1984 in the village of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Häme Castle

Häme Castle (Hämeen linna in Finnish, Tavastehus slott in Swedish) i

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Hyvinkää Church

Hyvinkää Church, also known as The New Church of Hyvinkää, is a mod

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Finnish Railway Museum

The Finnish Railway Museum (Finnish: Suomen Rautatiemuseo) is located

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rapola Castle

Rapola fort (Finnish: Rapolan linnavuori) is a hill fort in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Ainola

Ainola was the home of Jean Sibelius and his family from the fall of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Vesijärvi

Vesijärvi is a lake of 111 km² in the Enonselkä Basin of Lahti in so

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Salpausselkä skiing stadium

Salpausselkä skiing stadium is a ski jumping venue in Lahti, Finland.

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kreva Castle

Kreva Castle (Belorussian: Крэўскі замак) is the ruins of a major for

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rumkale

Rumkale was a powerful fortress on the river Euphrates, 50 km

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tsarevets

Tsarevets (Bulgarian: Царевец) is a medieval stronghold located on a h

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Fortress of Tustan

Tustan  was a Medieval cliff-side fortress-city and customs site of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel (Gaeilge. Carraig Phadraig), also known as Cashel

See all similar places