Häme Castle is one of Finland's medieval royal castles. It is believed to have been built at the end of the 13th century, following the crusade by Swedish Earl Birger to Häme region. During the Middle Ages the original fortified camp was built into a residential castle for its commandant. In the 18th century a third storey was built and curtain wall buildings partly replaced the original outer walls. The castle and its surroundings were in prison use from 1837 to 1972. The main castle is now presented as a historical monument. The Häme Castle and its redbrick barracks are on the shore of Lake Vanajavesi. The promontary has been a meeting place for centuries, and the walls almost echo the voices from the Middle Ages.

Composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was born and lived the first 20 years of his life in Hameenlinna. The rooms of his birthplace are decorated in the style of the era between the 1860s and the 1880s, and the museum exhibition sheds light on little Janne’s childhood years in Hameenlinna. A guided tour will provide you with more information. Chamber concerts are regularly held at the hall of the museum. Opening Hours 2.5.–31.8. Mon–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 1.9.–30.4. Tue–Sun 12 p.m.–4 p.m. (Closed: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Labor Day, Midsummer Eve, Midsummer Day, Midsummer Sunday, Independence Day 6.12. and Christmas 23.–26.12.)

Iittala Village is the center of Finnish glass-making and home to the only operating Finnish glass factory. Besides, the chocolate-factory of Iittala-based Kultasuklaa, a smaller Finnish chocolatier, is located in the village. The premises also hold Finland’s biggest and most popular naïve art summer exhibition (“Naivistit Iittalassa”) with long traditions and paintings from front-line Finnish naïve artists. There are also many atmospheric artisan boutiques in the village.