Kanta-Häme

Kanta-Häme (Tavastia Proper) lies between Helsinki and Tampere and is home to the medieval Häme Castle, the glassblowers of Iittala, and the lakes where Jean Sibelius grew up. A vacation in Kanta-Häme combines easily with a trip to Helsinki.

Lakes and Farmland

The landscape in southern Finland is shaped by gentle hills, fields, and lakes such as Vanajavesi. Hämeenlinna, the regional capital, sits on a long lake, Riihimäki is a rail hub with industry, and Forssa in the west is an old textile town. Around 170,000 people live here. The region is one of the oldest settled areas in Finland, and many manor houses and churches bear witness to that history.

Sights in Kanta-Häme

Häme Castle in Hämeenlinna, begun in the 13th century and built of brick and fieldstone, is one of the most important medieval structures in Finland; it later served as a prison and is now a museum. Close by stands the birthplace of Jean Sibelius, a simple wooden house in the town center. In nearby Aulanko, a landscaped park with an observation tower, small temple, and lakeshore invites you to take a stroll. At the famous glass factory in Iittala, vases and glasses are blown that stand for Finnish design around the world; visitors can watch the glassblowers at work. Riihimäki is home to the Finnish Glass Museum. Near Janakkala you'll find manor houses and a golf course, and Liesjärvi National Park in the west offers hiking trails through pine forests along lakeshores. Torronsuo National Park near Tammela protects one of the largest raised bogs in southern Finland, which you can explore on boardwalks and from bird-watching towers. In Forssa, the brick halls of the old cotton mill recall the town's textile history, and in Hattula stands a 14th-century brick church with colorful murals, one of the most beautiful medieval churches in Finland.

Food, Getting There, and Best Time to Visit

Typical fare includes Hämeenlinna sausages, turnip dishes, and pancakes with jam, plus fresh strawberries from the fields in summer. Hämeenlinna is on the Helsinki–Tampere rail line, and the trip takes about an hour. The best time to visit is June through September, when concerts are held at the castle.