City of Hamina, Finland: attractions

In the world there are many interesting places. Even if they are small areas, they can surprise with a variety of attractions. Hamina (Finland) also belongs to this category. This is a small European town. It is located on the shore of the bay and enters the province of Kymenlaakso. The town has a population of 22 000 people. But thanks to its successful location and rapid development, it has become interesting for tourists.

Location of the city

City It is located just 40 kilometers from the Russian border, 150 kilometers from Helsinki and 240 kilometers from St. Petersburg. Get to Hamina can be on different types of transport. From St. Petersburg to Finland is the motorway E-18. Hamina has a special index on the lapel. You can get to the city on regular buses.

History of Hamina

Hamina was built on the site of the town of Vehkalahti. The first mention of this area dates back to the 13th century. Vekhkalahti received the status of the city only in 1653. But already in 1712 completely burned during the retreat of the Swedish-Finnish troops. Then on this place the town of Friedrichsgam was rebuilt, which in Finnish turned into Hamina. The city has a circular construction, which is already a rarity in the world architecture.

The legend about the millstone monument

The places of interest of Hamina are unusual. With one of them, a monument to a millstone installed in the Summer Park, even a whole legend is connected. According to her, in 1783, Hamina hosted a meeting between Catherine II and Swedish King Gustav III. According to legend, he wanted to marry the Empress, but she gave him a condition that he had to fulfill.

Gustav III was supposed to kiss Catherine II through a hole in the millstone. And not the Empress's pen, namely the lips. The Swedish king could not fulfill this condition and as a result received a polite refusal from the regal lover. Now this millstone has become a place of pilgrimage for lovers. Many couples try unsuccessfully to do this trick.

The famous fortress of the city

The center of Hamina is decorated with a star fortress. This is one of the surviving ancient ring structures. The fortress was founded by the Swedes as a defensive bastion.

In modern times, the walls and walls delineate the boundaries of the historical center of Hamina. If you look at the fortress from a height, then outlines it resembles a star. Due to this, I received such an original name.

On the territory of the fortress is the largest European stage summer playground. It has a removable canopy from the weather and a platform for spectators. On the site are constantly held grandiose events. One of them is the festival of military music. This is an international event.

In the center of the fortress there is the Town Hall, built in the 17th century. The building is decorated with antique watches, which still work. They are created only by hand. Earlier, the Town Hall was reserved for banking and prison facilities. In the building were the police, shops and guardhouse. Now the town hall is in the Town Hall.

School of officers and a monument to the baker

There are two interconnected monuments in Hamina. The first one is a school of officers located on the territory of a fortress-star. Educational institution is elevated to the status of a museum. Collections of the building contain a Finnish military uniform of different times and weapons. And next to the museum is a monument to the baker Varvara. It would seem that it can bind them?

It turns out that Varvara brought daily to school pies, which fed the cadets. At the same time she was for them a kind of psychologist, listened to, helped advice in love affairs. According to legend, she not only brought pies to the school, but also accompanied the Cadets with them even on maneuvers. Often told them the right decisions. As a result, the baker became a kind of tactical adviser.

Varvara died in 1941, and in 1972 she was installed a monument from stainless steel. Funds for the production of the monument were collected by former graduates of the school of officers. Local residents are sure that the monument has miraculous properties. If a person touches the hand of a baker, then he learns to cook, to a purse - will get a lot of money.

Powder cellar

The town of Hamina (Finland), although small, has collected many interesting sights. For example, in the central fortress there is a bastion of Turku. It housed a powder cellar.

There is now equipped with the Jaeger Museum. Interestingly, its exhibits are not hunting trophies, but weapons and military photographs. The powder cellar has very thick walls, which in ancient times even withstand bomb attacks.

Museums of Hamina

Looking at Hamina's sights, it's impossible to pass by amazing museums. In the city there are exhibits devoted to navigation and fortress history. It was here, according to legend, that the Russian Empress met with the Swedish king.

In the merchant's museum exhibits devoted to the Russian-Finnish life and traditions of the 20th century are exhibited. In the building there are old shops and benches. Nearby is a small bakery, which still works. In it you can eat delicious pretzels and bread.

Another museum is located directly under the open sky. It is located on the shore of the reservoir and reproduces the conditions of rural life. In the courtyards set up utensils and peasant household items. Hamina (Finland) has an old farmland, the main attraction of which is a windmill. In 1993, next to it, there were two new cultural objects - "Ovin" and the Museum of Milk. More than sixty species of trees grow throughout the farmlands.

A separate series of museums is created from real ships. They are on permanent parking on the island of Tervassari. One of the ships was built in St. Petersburg in the early 19 th century. When the ship was written off, it began to serve as a beacon. Now the bowels of all the ships, which are in permanent parking, have been altered for museums. They sell souvenirs and have small cafes and restaurants.

Quay

Hamina (Finland) boasts an unusual pier that is located at the crossroads of the city. The design of Tervasaari is made in the form of a bull. Designed the pier Mina Akkyurk. Near Tervasaari is the former customs house. Now it houses a restaurant and organizes exhibitions. Nearby is the city beach.

How to get to Hamina?

To get from St. Petersburg to Finland, to Hamina, you can by bus, which follow in Helsinki and Kotka. If you go by car, the road will take about seven hours. From Kotka the bus will take to Hamina in 35 minutes, and from Helsinki the transport goes for three hours.