Häme Castle (Hämeen linna in
Finnish, Tavastehus slott in
Swedish) is a medieval castle in
Hämeenlinna,
Finland. The castle is located on the coast of lake Vanajavesi in the city center. The castle was originally located on an island.The castle's age is disputed. Traditionally the construction of the castle has been connected to the legendary
Second Swedish Crusade which would date the castle in the mid-
13th century. However, there are no finds from the castle that can be firmly dated to a period earlier than
1320s. Also the contents of the crusade legend have been seriously contested. An earlier fortification from about 1300 only some 20 kilometers away in
Hakoinen also makes a 14th century dating for Häme Castle more probable. Russian
Novgorod Chronicle only mentions one castle in Häme in 1311, its description matching well with the castle in Hakoinen:"The men of Novgorod went in war over sea to the country of the Germans (Swedes), against the Finnish (
Yem) people -- And the Germans fell back into the citadel. For the place was very strong and firm, on a high rock, not having access from any side. And they sent with greeting, asking for peace, but the men of Novgorod did not grant peace, and they stood three days and three nights wasting the district."
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