Famous for its majestic red-brick medieval castle on the shores of Lake Vanajavesi and for being the birthplace of the great composer Jean Sibelius, historical Hämeenlinna enjoys a vibrant cultural and commercial life. Surrounded by beautiful national parks, the city boasts one of the best-equipped theme parks in Puuhamaa, two excellent spas at Aulanko and Vesihelmi, eight golf courses, and the chance to hike, cycle, ride horses, ski, jet-ski, snowboard, sail and do lots more besides.
Hämeenlinna is the administrative center of the province of Southern Finland, located a little over 100 km from Helsinki and at the junction of important rail, road, and waterway networks. It was granted city rights in 1639, but there has been a settlement there since the Viking Age, and the castle for which it is famed was built in the late 13th century. Today, the city enjoys a vibrant cultural and commercial life, as well known for its design products and the beautiful nature reserves surrounding it as it is for the majestic red-brick medieval castle located by the shore of Lake Vanajavesi.