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Founded: 1820Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Finland
Historical period: Russian Grand Duchy (Finland)
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The history of Moisio manor begins from the 17th century. It was originally part of the Wrede family manor. In 1605 Henrik Wrede had saved the life of Carl IX, the King of Sweden, in a battle by giving him a horse. Wrede himself was killed, but Carl IX donated a large land property to his family after the war. Wrede family owned Moisio 150 years.
Moisio was acquired by the Forselles family in 1767 and Fredrik Juhan Ulrik af Forselles decied to build a new main building. The present mansion was designed by famous architect C.L. Engel in 1818. The building, which represents early empire style architecture, was built in 1820.
In 1907 Moisio manor was acquired by the municipality of Elimäki. The main building functioned as a retirement home for 60 years. In 1997 it was moved again to the private use and today there are art exhibitions held around the year. The ground floor serves as a restaurant and a café, the upper floor has been dedicated to art.
Olargues is a good example of a French medieval town and rated as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It was occupied by the Romans, the Vandals and the Visigoths. At the end of the 11th century the Jaur valley came under the authority of the Château of the Viscount of Minerve. The following centuries saw a succession of wars and epidemics, and it was not until the 18th century that Olargues became re-established. This was due to the prosperity of local agriculture and artisanal industry.
The Pont du Diable, 'Devil's Bridge', is said to date back to 1202 and is reputed to be the scene of transactions between the people of Olargues and the devil. The old village is clustered around the belltower, which was formerly the main tower of the castle (Romanesque construction). The old shops have marble frontages and overhanging upper storeys. A museum of popular traditions and art is to be found in the stairs of the Commanderie.