G. Hamina (Finland) - “A cozy Finnish town with a lot of attractions.” Hamina, Finland Officers' School and Baker Monument
The Royal Road has now become a tourist route, but previously it was a real trade route, like the silk route, but shorter. Hamina's location on the trade route determined its prosperity and development.
Hamina's most famous landmark is of course the star-shaped fortress. Such fortresses spread in Europe from the 15th century and were built until the mid-19th century, so it turns out that the star fortress in Hamina is one of the latest fortresses built in this style.
In St. Petersburg there is the well-known Peter and Paul Fortress, built in the shape of a star. In Helsinki, the star fortress adorns the island of Suomenlinna. On the opposite shore of the Gulf of Finland in Latvia, a similar fortress is located in Daugavpils. I have listed only the most accessible star fortresses from St. Petersburg; there are many more of them throughout Europe; they are found in America, Africa and Australia.
The easiest way to get to Hamina from St. Petersburg is by your own car, the distance is only 240 km (only 40 km from Torfyanovka), which is what we did, but you can also use regular buses and minibuses. Any bus or minibus heading to Helsinki will inevitably pass through Hamina. There are plenty of parking lots in Hamina and they are all free.
We parked next to the K-market store located at Sibeliuskatu 27, 49400 Hamina and picked up a free brochure with a map in Russian for exploring Hamina right from the store. You can get the same brochure most quickly at the Flag Tower at Lipputorni Kaivokatu 6, and at the SpaHotel Hamina Sibeliuskatu 32. A very useful brochure, I recommend it. All photographs used in the article were taken on June 11, 2016.
It’s easy to see that there is a star fortress in Hamina by looking at Google map. In total, 6 bastions have been preserved in the fortress and each of them bears the name of one of the nearby fortified cities of Finland - Lappeenranta, Savonlinna, Hämeenlinna, Helsinki, Hamina, and Turku.
History of Hamina
The city of Vehkalahti, which became Hamina a couple of centuries later, was founded in 1653 under the most famous Swedish governor of Finland, Pere Brahe, I mentioned him in the article and. Vehkalahti was burned by retreating Swedish troops in 1712 during the Northern War.
Under the terms of the Treaty of Nystad (1721), the border with the Russian Empire moved significantly closer to Hamina. Then the Swedes began construction of a star fortress. The Swedes called the fortress Friedrichshamn in honor of their king Fiedrich I. The new plan of the fortress consisted of two squares symmetrically placed on top of each other.
Plan of the fortress for 1720, picture from Wikipedia The Swedes did not have time to properly dig in Hamina, when in 1742 it passed to Russia under the terms of the Abo Peace Treaty, along with famous cities and. Hamina is proud that the city hosted the historic meeting of the Russian Empress Catherine the Great and her cousin the Swedish King Gustav I in the summer of 1783, the house where the meeting took place is now a museum.
Hamina City Museum, royal meeting house The Hamina fortress became the most powerful under Russian rule. Construction work was completed in the early 1800s. And already in 1809, the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty was signed in Hamina, under the terms of which all of Finland joined the Russian Empire, so the fortress was abolished in 1836, having lost its military significance. From the 1890s, the fortifications began to be dismantled and most of the outer fortifications were dismantled by the end of the 1950s.
The restoration of the fortress city began in the 1960s and currently we can see the result of this restoration. Nowadays there is a park between the ramparts of the fortress.
Park near the bastions of the Hamina fortress A tennis court was built and a game was taking place on it, and there were spectators, and a sports commentator was broadcasting something into the microphone. A powder magazine built in 1785 (yellow building on the left) is in the frame. Now it is an art gallery, but during World War II it was an important communications center.
Playground The shafts have preserved through passages.
Through passage under the shaft The burgomaster's house was built in the late Empire style, the house is surrounded by large trees.
Burgomaster's House 1886 The area around the town hall
The center of the fortress and the city is the Town Hall Square, with rays of streets extending from it in different directions.
Near the Church of St. John there is a memorial stone reminiscent of the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty of 1809, a monument to the victims of the 1918 civil war, burial places of those killed during the winter war of 1939-1944 and a monument to those killed in Karelia. Cemeteries in Finland are traditionally located around a church.
St. John's Church, 1883, architect Carl Engel In our presence, Hamina was examined by two more Finnish groups who arrived on excursion buses.
Facade of St. John's Church, 1843, architect Carl Engel The town hall building is the center of the star fortress; a tower was added to it later in 1840. The spire is crowned with an image of the sun, above the tower clock there are two five-pointed black stars, and on the pediment there is a crown, very similar to the crown of the Russian Empire and a reclining crescent. At various times, the building housed a bank, trading places, a police station and a fortress guardhouse.
Town Hall, 1798, architect Johan Brockmann Now the second floor of the Town Hall is used for festive events, and there are also meeting rooms for the Board of City Commissioners and the Municipality.
On one side of the town hall you can see the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, built in 1837, I photographed it from the side, the facade is obscured by tall trees. In the church, the priest gave a tour for a Finnish tourist group in Finnish.
Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 1837 Inside, under the dome of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the four evangelist apostles are depicted. Most of all I was surprised by the Apostle Mark, his name was written in Cyrillic “Marks” and the name of Matthew was written, somehow unusually, “Mavdei”, and John and Luke were written with “yat”, but completely normal from the point of view of modern grammar.
Before the Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Ulrika Eleonoran kirkko stood on this site, built in 1730-1731 and belonging to the Swedish parish church, but destroyed by fire. After the Church of Ulrika Eleonora, the Elizabethan Church was built on this site in 1748-1751; this church belonged to the Swedish and German-speaking population and was destroyed by fire in 1821.
Memorial stone in the courtyard of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul One side of the town hall square is decorated with the Tanelinkulma House, the ancestral mansion of the Aladin family, of Russian origin, who played a significant role in the life of Hamina at the beginning of the 19th century. Now the building houses the Huovala café and pastry shop, as well as offices and residential premises.
Tanelinkulm House, 1889, architect Waldemar Aspelin Hamina outside Town Hall Square
The oldest attraction in Hamina is the Church of St. Mary. The church existed on this site long before the construction of the city itself. Naturally, it was rebuilt many times, it burned down more than once and nothing remained in the building from the Middle Ages.
St. Mary's Lutheran Church 1400 and church museum There was a caretaker on duty in the building and he gave us a short tour in English. Lutheran churches look very simple from the inside - whitewashed walls without any decoration.
St. Mary's Lutheran Church inside But the walls are almost 2 meters thick, which is clearly visible in the window openings. The last time the church was reconstructed by K. Engel was in the 1820s. The bell tower, by the way, is made of wooden boards, and the church itself is stone.
Right next to St. Mary's Church begins a complex of buildings belonging to the school for reserve officers, and very reminiscent of the buildings of St. Petersburg.
Former laboratory of the Cadet School, 1851, architect E.B. Lokhman In the park there is a cannon that looks very old, but as we understand from the inscription next to it, it took part in hostilities during the Second World War. Caliber 155 mm, firing range 12.3 km, weight 6300 kg.
Gun model 155K77, model 1867 Well, the most St. Petersburg building in Hamina, in my opinion, is the main building of the school for reserve officers. In front of the main building there is a huge area for parades and formations.
Main building of the Reserve Officers' School, 1898, architect Jacob Ahrenberg To the side of this square there is a monument to fallen officers. The pedestal contains a list of 4,000 names of officers who died in the war of 1939-1944.
Monument to the officers killed during the Second World War The building of the Garrison Club used to house the apartment of the head of the imperial cadet school. The building is an example of Russian architecture, like many other buildings in the center of Hamina.
Garrison Club, 1863. architect E.B. Lokhman And this is actually all of Hamina, we crossed across the entire star fortress.
Ramparts and walls of the star fortress, Savonnalina bastion We decided to take a different route back. We wanted to see the main bastion of the Hamina fortress with casemates, but we were not allowed there. There is now a concert venue there and preparations for the evening event were in full swing.
Hamina Central Bastion, 1803-1811 The Arvilommi House is a plastered wooden building in the neo-Rococo style and is a rare example of architecture in Finland. The tops of the windows are now bricked over, but painted black to preserve the original appearance of the building. The Finns give all their historical buildings into private hands with the condition that they preserve and maintain the facade in the historical style; redevelopment can be done inside such houses.
Arvilommi House, 1849 Next are just a few houses outside the walls of the fortress. From 1920 to 1944, the building in the photo below housed the district cell of the women's paramilitary organization Lotta Svärd. The emblem of this organization, by the way, was a blue swastika.
Wooden building Just an interesting design for a public transport stop.
Public transport stop I recommend visiting the Thrift Store where you can examine household items from at least the last 200 years - furniture in the Empire style, chairs a la - the dream of Ostap Bender, antique cabinets, chests of drawers, copper utensils, old photographs, we even saw an old postcard with a picture of Suvorov in full an unusual form for us, coins and Finnish orders, insignia of the women's organization Lotta Svärd and much more, any item can be purchased, the only question is the price. A postcard with Suvorov cost, for example, 30 €.
Hamina is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland (40 km to the Russian border, 240 km to St. Petersburg, 100 km to Vyborg). The population is approximately 22 thousand people, it is a small city, but it has a rich history. The first mention of the settlement dates back to the mid-14th century.
City of Hamina. Town Hall Square
Its advantageous location at the intersection of land and sea trade routes contributed to its development, and in the 17th century a city appeared here. During the Northern War it was burned, but in 1721 it began to be rebuilt and was named Fredrikshamn (the city of Frederick, in honor of the Swedish king). But this name never caught on, and soon another name began to appear in all documents - Hamina. The Swedes began to build a fortress here, but the work was never completed. According to the peace treaty of 1743, the city was annexed to the possessions of Russia. And after the entire territory of Finland passed to Russia at the beginning of the 19th century, the need for the construction of protective structures disappeared and some of the fortifications were dismantled. But the remains of the fortress walls have been preserved in Hamina to this day; you can see them if you walk from the market square along Vallikatu Street and reach the park.
What attractions are there in Hamina?
The City Hall is located in the central square. It was originally built in the Baroque style (in 1798), but later underwent reconstruction and became more like a neoclassical building. The ancient clock installed on the tower still works properly to this day. From the Town Hall Square, 8 streets radiate in different directions, which are connected by transverse streets that form two rings around the central part of the city (Pikkuympyräkatu - Small Circle, Isoympyräkatu - Big Circle). On the central square there are two ancient churches: the Lutheran Church of St. John and the Orthodox Church of Peter and Paul, as well as the Museum of Russian Samovars.
The octagonal building of the Flag Tower (Kaivokatu, 6) rises above the market square. In summer, there is a tourist information center (you can book excursions, purchase a city map, and buy souvenirs).
In the city museum (Kadettikoulunkatu, 2) you can get acquainted with the 350-year history of Hamina. The museum occupies the building in which negotiations between the Russian Empress Catherine II and the Swedish King Gustav III took place in the summer of 1783. Opening hours: in summer: Tue-Sun 11.00-16.00, in winter Wed - Sat 11.00-15.00, Sun 12.00-17.00.
You can also learn a lot of interesting things about the life and everyday life of the city by visiting the Merchants' House-Museum (Kasarminkatu, 6). Its exhibition consists of an old shop, living quarters occupied by the merchant's family and utility rooms in the courtyard (laundry, stables, ironing, craft workshops, blacksmith). Opening hours: in summer: Tue-Sun 1.00-16.00, in winter Wed - Sat 11.00-15.00, Sun - 12.00-17.00.
The Museum of the School of Reserve Officers (Kadettinkoulunkatu, 8) will tell about the military history of the city, and in the former powder magazine of the Turku Bastion there is a Jaeger Museum (an exhibition of photographs and weapons).
At the Tervassaari passenger port you can book a boat trip to the islands of the Gulf of Finland. There are good fishing spots there.
Shopping in Hamina
Not far from the road leading to Helsinki, on Maariankatu there is one of the Lidl stores (a good selection of food products and a department with clothes, shoes and household goods). Another popular store among tourists in Hamina is Robinhood (on Rautatienkatu). Inexpensive household goods, clothing, cosmetics, and perfumes are presented here. There is a K-Supermarket on Sibeliuskatu. Fashionable clothes can be found at Seppala. Around the main square there are interesting small shops and three banks.
Where to stay?
Hotelli Hamina is located in the city center. The hotel's room capacity includes 32 comfortable rooms. All rooms have: air conditioning, TV, desk, hairdryer. The hotel has a sauna, bar and meeting room. Pets are allowed. Address: Sibeliuskatu, 32.
Small hotel with 12 rooms Haminan Seurahuone (Pikkuympyrakatu, 5). The building has Internet access, a restaurant, a karaoke bar and a nightclub (open on weekends).
If you are interested in camping accommodation, then Hamina Camping Pitkat Hiekat is at your service.
By clicking anywhere on our site or clicking “Accept”, you agree to the use of cookies and other technologies for the processing of personal data. You can change your privacy settings. Cookies are used by us and our trusted partners to analyze, improve and personalize your user experience on the site. These cookies are also used to target advertising that you see both on our site and on other platforms.The city of Hamina was founded in 1653 and is one of the oldest port cities in Finland.
Situated at the crossroads of an old trade route and serving as a border and port town, the city has retained a strong heritage in architecture, culture and tradition.
International meetings and cultural connections of the city are also an aspect of today's life.
As in the last century, multilingual speech is still heard in the city today.
The city's location on the coast, in close proximity to the border with Russia, opens up great opportunities for business and, in particular, for tourism.
Hamina has a long and colorful history. On the seashore, in a place located at the intersection of sea and land routes, a settlement arose in the Middle Ages, which received the name Vehkalahti(Vehkalahti). The first mention of this settlement dates back to 1336. In 1653, a city with the same name was founded on the site of this settlement. In 1712, during the Northern War, the city was completely burned. After the conclusion of peace in 1721, the city began to be built again. In 1723, the city received a new name Fredrikshamn (Fridrigshamn), which translated from Swedish means “Port of Frederick” (in honor of King Frederick). The new name did not catch on, and soon the city began to be called Hamina. The project for the fortifications of the city of Hamina was developed at the beginning of the 18th century. Swedish general Axel von Leuven modeled on Italian fortresses of the 16th century. The Swedes only managed to build sand ramparts. According to the peace treaty of 1743, the territory of the city was annexed to Russia. Unfinished fortifications were completed, temporary ramparts left over from the Swedes were lined with a stone wall, the Central Bastion was erected, drawbridges and barriers were built. As a result of the war of 1808-1809. Sweden was forced to transfer all of Finland to Russia and the border fortifications lost their military-political significance. The post of commandant of the fortress was abolished in 1836, and at the end of the 19th century. Part of the fortifications was dismantled. The remaining, rather impressive part of the fortifications, the central part of the city with ancient houses and a circular layout, is now maintained in good condition.
Attractions.
If you are in Hamina, go from the market square through Vallikatu Street to the park and examine some of the fortifications located there. Crossing the square you will find yourself on Mannerheimintie street. Turn right and walk to Town Hall Square. From the town hall building located in the center of the square, eight streets diverge radially and are connected by transverse streets that form circles. Walk around the Town Hall building. You can pick up free tourist brochures at the tourist information point, or you can pick up a free tourist map from the machine right on the square. The museum of Russian samovars is nearby. A person interested in sightseeing will see a lot of interesting things on the square. Walk along the “small ring” (Pikkuympyrakatu) street and look at the old wooden houses. Nearby is the Bastion, where something interesting happens every weekend in the summer. Then - to the street "Cadet School" (Kadettikoulukatu). Look at the buildings of the Reserve Officers' School. In front of the main building are displayed artillery pieces donated by France during the “Finnish” (for the Finns, the “Winter”) War. Further along the street you will again see ancient fortifications, the original monument to “Barbara”, the RUK (Reserve Officers School) museum, in front of which an anti-tank gun and a German-made self-propelled gun from the Second World War are displayed.
It is located very well, which contributed to its development in past centuries, and now attracts a large number of tourists from Russia. It was founded on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, on the one hand, this made it possible to trade along sea and land routes, and on the other, to receive goods for their further transportation inland. Hamina is one of the closest Finnish cities to the Russian border, the distance to it is only 40 kilometers, and from Vyborg you can get here in less than two hours.
History of Hamina
In the 17th century, when this territory belonged to Sweden, the convenient location attracted traders from all over the country, and a city was founded here. Meanwhile, it did not last long and was completely destroyed during the war. Beginning in 1721, restoration work was carried out here, and even a fortress was founded. However, less than a quarter of a century later, the city came into the possession of the Russian Empire, after which the construction of fortifications was not supported. However, curious tourists can find their remains if they take a walk to the city park.
Finland, Hamina – city attractions
Unlike most modern cities, Hamina has retained its historical radial layout. In the center of the city there is a square and the Town Hall, which was founded at the end of the 18th century. The eight largest streets of the city diverge directly from the center in different directions of the world. At the same time, they are all connected by radial streets, called the Big and Small Circular. Thus, if you look at the city from above, it turns out that its center is surrounded by two rings. On the square itself you can see the Lutheran and Orthodox churches, as well as visit the samovar museum.
The Flag Tower, a large eight-pointed building located on the city's market square, also looks quite original. If you visit the city in the summer, this is where we recommend you look first. At this time, a special center opens here for tourists, where you can get the necessary information, sign up for a city tour and, of course, buy souvenirs.
Like any other city, Hamina has a wide variety of museums. The Central City Museum is interesting not only because you can get fairly comprehensive information about the development of Hamina, but also because of the building itself in which it is located. The fact is that it was in this building that, at one time, negotiations were held to conclude peace between Russia and Sweden.
For those interested in the life of ordinary merchants from the times of the Hanseatic League, we recommend visiting the Merchants' House Museum, where you can see many interesting things. Including a completely restored merchant shop of that time. But most men will probably be interested in the Museum of the School of Reserve Officers and the Jaeger Museum. Here they will be able to learn many interesting facts from military history and examine various types of weapons.
Also, if you wish and the weather is suitable in Hamina, you can go to the passenger port, where applications are always accepted for various water excursions, including around the islands of the bay.
Shopping – what shops are there in Hamina?
In principle, if you are interested in souvenirs and various trinkets, you can buy them right on the central square. However, if you are looking for shops in Hamina for some serious shopping, then you will need larger shopping areas. They are also available in the city and its surroundings. In particular, there is one of the supermarkets of a large Finnish chain, where you can buy almost everything you need for your home, from food to household chemicals, manufactured goods and clothing. It is located near the highway leading to Helsinki.
In the city itself there are three stores that offer almost everything that shopping lovers need:
- On Robinhood, you'll find a variety of body care products, cosmetics, inexpensive clothing, and home cleaning products.
- At K-Supermarket you can find all the necessary products at affordable prices.
- Well, it offers a wide selection of branded clothing from the best European manufacturers.
Thus, if you go shopping in Hamina for the whole day, you will still have enough time to see the city and visit its attractions. Russian tourists jokingly call them like this, since the money saved on purchases is quite enough to go to museums and excursions and cover all transportation costs.
