The Museum of Maritime History, Vaasa, Finland

The museum of Maritime History is situated in old harbour storehouses dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Its collections reflect the history of the port of Vaasa and the seafaring traditions of the area.

Museums in Finland

User Reviews

Saku Jaskari (2 years ago)
Great lighting

Soile Rantala (2 years ago)
Whatever the interesting place and found e.g. pictures of father and uncle on the wall, old shipbuilders were open at Wärtsilä shipyard.

Isa-Maria Söderudd (2 years ago)
Excellent museum! Thank you! It was a pleasure to visit.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Noémie 59

Historic Site of the week

Château d'Olhain

The Château d'Olhain is probably the most famous castle of the Artois region. It is located in the middle of a lake which reflects its picturesque towers and curtain walls. It was also a major stronghold for the Artois in medieval times and testimony to the power of the Olhain family, first mentioned from the 12th century.

The existence of the castle was known early in the 13th century, but the present construction is largely the work of Jean de Nielles, who married Marie d’Olhain at the end of the 15th century.

The marriage of Alix Nielles to Jean de Berghes, Grand Veneur de France (master of hounds) to the King, meant the castle passed to this family, who kept it for more than 450 years. Once confiscated by Charles Quint, it suffered during the wars that ravaged the Artois. Besieged in 1641 by the French, it was partly demolished by the Spaniards in 1654, and finally blown-up and taken by the Dutch in 1710. Restored in 1830, it was abandoned after 1870, and sold by the last Prince of Berghes in 1900. There is also evidence that one of the castles occupants was related to Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan, the person Alexandre Dumas based his Three Musketeers charictor d'Artagnan on.

During the World War I and World War II, the castle was requisitioned first by French troops, then Canadian and British soldiers. The current owner has restored the castle to its former glory.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

The Museum of Maritime History

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

House of the Dragon Filming Locations

Historic Landmarks of Sicily

Rhodes, The Island of Knights

Historic Site of the week

Château d'Olhain

Looks like you are a history fan!