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Founded: 1762Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Finland
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Finland)
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Pukkila Manor is named after the Bock family who governed the estate from 1540s until 1720s. The numerous owners of Pukkila Manor were high-ranking officials from Turku. The manor’s current main building was built by Justice Court of Appeal, Christoffer Johan Rappe (1719-1776) who later became the county governor of the Province of Turku and Pori.
The main building of Pukkila Manor was built in 1762 and represents rococo style. Parts of the manor’s original rococo interior from Rappe’s time has remained; however, most of the rooms have been arranged in the neo-classical style of the owner Rehbinder who followed Rappe. The herb garden represents Rappe’s era, and it features herbs and plants which were typical to the 18th century. Pukkila Manor was opened to the public in 1970. The manor has been furnished as a late 18th century home for a family with many children.
The manor museum is open to the public Wed-Sun in summertime. In May, end of August and September groups by previous appointment.
Reference: National Board of Antiques
Hochosterwitz Castle is considered to be one of Austria's most impressive medieval castles. The rock castle is one of the state's landmarks and a major tourist attraction.
The site was first mentioned in an 860 deed issued by King Louis the German of East Francia, donating several of his properties in the former Principality of Carantania to the Archdiocese of Salzburg. In the 11th century Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg ceded the castle to the Dukes of Carinthia from the noble House of Sponheim in return for their support during the Investiture Controversy. The Sponheim dukes bestowed the fiefdom upon the family of Osterwitz, who held the hereditary office of the cup-bearer in 1209.
In the 15th century, the last Carinthian cup-bearer, Georg of Osterwitz was captured in a Turkish invasion and died in 1476 in prison without leaving descendants. So after four centuries, on 30 May 1478, the possession of the castle reverted to Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg.
Over the next 30 years, the castle was badly damaged by numerous Turkish campaigns. On 5 October 1509, Emperor Maximilian I handed the castle as a pledge to Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg, then Bishop of Gurk. Bishop Lang undertook a substantial renovation project for the damaged castle.
About 1541, German king Ferdinand I of Habsburg bestowed Hochosterwitz upon the Carinthian governor Christof Khevenhüller. In 1571, Baron George Khevenhüller acquired the citadel by purchase. He fortified to deal with the threat of Turkish invasions of the region, building an armory and 14 gates between 1570 and 1586. Such massive fortification is considered unique in citadel construction.
Since the 16th century, no major changes have been made to Hochosterwitz. It has also remained in the possession of the Khevenhüller family as requested by the original builder, George Khevenhüller. A marble plaque dating from 1576 in the castle yard documents this request.
A specific feature is the access way to the castle passing through a total of 14 gates, which are particularly prominent owing to the castle's situation in the landscape. Tourists are allowed to walk the 620-metre long pathway through the gates up to the castle; each gate has a diagram of the defense mechanism used to seal that particular gate. The castle rooms hold a collection of prehistoric artifacts, paintings, weapons, and armor, including one set of armor 2.4 metres tall, once worn by Burghauptmann Schenk.