The exhibitions at Häme Castle are currently being renewed. The newly displayed artefacts belonging to the collections of the National Museum of Finland and their stories bring back flashes of the past. The meticulous conservation of the brass ceremonial armour and the restoration of the late 15th century Masku pall would not have been possible without the contribution of our partners. Indeed, at its best, museum work is all about working together and, at the same time, finding new ways of gaining information and bringing history closer to us.
Various armours and swords are now on exhibition at the Knights’ Hall. The armour of the Finnish-born Colonel Henrik Klasson Fleming (1584–1650), made in the early 17th century of brass plate, is rare. The armour, with its golden lustre, was probably made for parade or festive use. The set of armour had been held at Mynämäki Church, where it was displayed to churchgoers in connection to Henrik Fleming’s funeral. The financial contribution of artefact’s patrons Jaakko and Tua Björklund made the armour’s challenging conservation work and display possible.
Other artefacts on display include the iron armour of Lieutenant Colonel Carl Bäck (1609–1663) and a sword from the Laitila church, the high-quality blade of which was probably made in (Solingen) Germany.
The iron chain mail was discovered at Linnamäki in the parish of Kivennapa in the early 1830s. The Knights’ Hall also hosts a 15th century claymore, discovered from the shore of Lake Vanajavesi in 1988 by school boys Sami Riippi, Lasse Hyvönen and Jukka Hartikainen. The sword has now returned to the castle.
The colours of the Gobelin tapestry on exhibition in the Queen’s Chamber are well preserved. The Gobelin was possibly made in Antwerp or Brussels in the late 16th or early 17th century. It has, however, also been worn over time: small pieces are missing and the top has been patched and mended. The other textile on exhibition is displayed in the front room of the Church Hall. It is the reconstruction of the Medieval Masku pall. The replica was made in collaboration with enthusiasts of historical textiles and crafts, who spent some 1,600 volunteer hours to complete the piece. The original pall, in the collections of the National Museum of Finland, was probably made by the Bridgettine nuns of Naantali at the earliest in the 1440s.
“These rare artefacts of our past enliven the castle halls and bring history to life with the stories they communicate. During the coming summer, we will also renew the castle’s ticket office and museum shop and they will be opened in the old guard room as more extensive and easier to access. The new facilities will give castle visitors a new and improved visitor experience. The castle’s summer café will also be renewed and opened in a new location at the ground floor of the Crown bakery. As the temporary exhibition at the castle for the summer season, the National Museum of Finland is producing a unique exhibition Lustre – Finnish Silver 1600–1830”, says Jouni Marjamäki, Keeper of Häme Castle.
Further information
Curator Lea Värtinen, [email protected], +358 295 33 6341
Collections: Jouni Kuurne, Keeper, [email protected], +358 295 33 6381
Conservation: Eero Ehanti, Keeper, [email protected], +358 295 33 6139
Media images in the webpage of the National Museum
HÄME CASTLE
Kustaa III:n katu 6, Hämeenlinna
Opening hours 2018:
2.1.–30.4. and 15.8.–17.12.: Tue-Fri 10 am–4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am–4 pm, Mon closed
2.5.–31.5.: Mon-Fri 10 am–4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am–4 pm
1.6.–14.8.: daily 10 am–5 pm
tel. +358 295 33 6931, www.kansallismuseo.fi
The National Museum of Finland includes seven museums and two castles: National Museum of Finland, Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, Tamminiemi, Hvitträsk, Louhisaari Manor, Museum of Cultures, Maritime Museum of Finland, as well as Häme Castle and Olavinlinna Castle.
© Koodiviidakko Oy - Y-tunnus 1939962-1