… Eternal Darkness, that is what late Autumn means in the Nordic region.
The sun has become a deity of the passed, waiting patiently, for darkness has taken over.
As All Hallows Eve is closing in, a time to remember our loved ones of past and present. (Note: The Halloween Special is yet to come)

Welcome traveller, walk with me as we venture the dark & quiet streets of Hämeenlinna in the rain.
A city known for being the oldest inland city in Finland, founded in 1639.
Situated on the shores of Vanajavesi Lake, about 100 km’s from Helsinki.
Perhaps the most prominent building is the Häme Castle (Tavastia), build in the 13th century after the second Swedish crusade of Earl Birger to Häme.
Settlements around the castle started to grow which led to gaining official city rights in 1639 in what is now known as Hämeenlinna (Castle of Häme).
As Swedish dominance was diminishing, so did the purpose of the castle, continued to be neglected by Swedish rule throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
During the Russian period, the defensive systems were upgraded with bastions.
After the Finnish War, the castle was used as a prison up until 1953.
Today, the facilities are restored and made available for public visiting.

A total population of around 68.000 makes it the 14th largest city in Finland as of 2021. It was noted a mere 649 residents were living in the area in the year 1751.
A total of 339 lakes in the area aswell as the first national city park of Finland.
The city centre is relatively dense built with buildings of different styles, mixing old with new.
A traditional layout with the market square as its center and around it are the Town hall, Hämeenlinna Church and the Country Government House.

Perhaps the most famous person born here was master composer, Jean Sibelius, being widely known for helping Finland develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia.
His most famous works include: Finlandia, the Karelia Suite, Violin Concerto and many more.

Hämeenlinna has the second largest number of summer cottages in Finland. As many as 7600 have been reported.

Thank you for wanting to learn more about this area, have a nice walk and rest of your day.
I hope to see you back in the next scene. As we embark on a mission to seek & rescue restless souls.
🎃 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🎃