Sulkava Hill Fort, Sulkava, Finland

The hill fort is located to the rock hill with high cliffs in Pisamalahti. The hill fort rises about 55 meters above Enovesi lake.

First record of the fort dates back to the year 1561, but it was probably built in the Iron or Middle Ages. According one hypothesis it was built by Carelian people against conquerors from Tavastia (Häme) historical province. There is a 120 meters long and 2-3 meters high stone wall on the top of the hill.

Pisamalahti hill fort is one of the most valuable ancient fortresses in Finland. The hill and the surrounding lake landscape are popular tourist attraction in the Sulkava area.

Address

Linnavuorentie 306, Sulkava, Finland

See all sites in Sulkava

Details

Founded: 1100-1300
Category: Ruins in Finland
Historical period: Iron Age (Finland)

More Information

www.rajupusuwiki.fi
www.wishcats.fi

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Matti Muhonen (2 years ago)
Amazing rock formation!

George Forth (2 years ago)
Amazing to the extreme. Don't expect any signage but you can find some of the Iron Age fort walls to the north when you get to the top. The views are *stunning*. And if it's hot, bring your swimmers as there's a jetty to jump into the lake.

Atte Hinkka (2 years ago)
In credible sights!

Robert King Jr. (3 years ago)
Cozy fireplace at the base, but hill itself is not spectacular. The fort is nothing but some leftover rocks, and the view is OK at best.

Jyri Virtanen (3 years ago)
Fantastic place to visit. Two piers (deep water). Fire place with Wood provided free. Incredible view from top.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Dennis Schäffer

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Externsteine Stones

The Externsteine (Extern stones) is a distinctive sandstone rock formation located in the Teutoburg Forest, near the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg. The formation is a tor consisting of several tall, narrow columns of rock which rise abruptly from the surrounding wooded hills. Archaeological excavations have yielded some Upper Paleolithic stone tools dating to about 10,700 BC from 9,600 BC.

In a popular tradition going back to an idea proposed to Hermann Hamelmann in 1564, the Externsteine are identified as a sacred site of the pagan Saxons, and the location of the Irminsul (sacral pillar-like object in German paganism) idol reportedly destroyed by Charlemagne; there is however no archaeological evidence that would confirm the site's use during the relevant period.

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The Externsteine gained prominence when Völkisch and nationalistic scholars took an interest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This interest peaked under the Nazi regime, when the Externsteine became a focus of nazi propaganda. Today, they remain a popular tourist destination and also continue to attract Neo-Pagans and Neo-Nazis.

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Sulkava Hill Fort