Korsholm Castle Ruins, Vaasa, Finland

Korsholm Castle was a medieval castle in Vaasa. It was probably built in the 1370s and the oldest record dates back to 1384 (the testament of Bo Jonsson Grip, where the castle was called as Krytzeborg). The castle was originally built to a small island and it was surrounded by a moat and two walls. The castle itself was probably built of wood.

In the Middle Ages Korsholm was a property of several nobles. The most famous of them was Sten Sture the Older. In 1748 the new governor house was built to the site and all medieval structures were demolished. The next house was built in 1851 but it was destroyed by the great fire of Vaasa in 1852. Today a low mound is all that remains of the castle. There is also a monument dedicated to the castle.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Bao Pham (9 months ago)
There was not much to see.

Cristy Stan (11 months ago)
Interesting place, really small (only 3-4 ruins).

Helena Holopainen (15 months ago)
Great place for picnic! Also historical ruins make the place romantic.

irfan arif (2 years ago)
We enjoyed last week. It was cold and windy but the old church and surroundings were mesmerizing

Jonna Sheya (2 years ago)
Beautiful place and will written information about the ruins and the time they were built in Finnish, Swedish as well as in English. Easy to find and close to the city centre if you have a car at your disposal. I think there's also a bus going there but we visited on a cold day and took the car therefore. Open entry, meaning no fee and no fences so they can be accessed 24/7.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Erik Christensen, Porkeri

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Kirkjubøargarður

Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur', also known as King"s Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.

The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the 'Sheep Letter' here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm"s library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.

Though the farmhouse is a museum, the 17th generation of the Patursson Family, which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after the Reformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic Church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called King"s Land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of King"s Land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above-mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes King"s Farmer, and in contrast to the privately owned land, the King"s Land is never divided between the sons.

The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season there is also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.

Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav"s Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island"s most interesting historical site.

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