Published in: Helsingin Sanomat, 29th of June, 2004

- THE CASTLE OF RAASEPORI PROTECTED THE TRADE INTERESTS OF SWEDEN IN THE EAST

- If you ask from little boys, the most interesting places in the castle ruins of Raasepori, are the loopholes. Children can easily stand in them and look for the enemy. Only the crossbows, arbalests and primitive firearms are missing. Another great place is the round and the most highest tower in Raasepori. There's two ways to the top, as you can either use the old spiral stairs that are very steep and narrow, or you can use the wooden stairs that are very wide and were build in the 1980´s. The view from the tower is ok, but you cannot see the sea and ships anymore. 

- The castle ruins of Raasepori, which are located in the Sappertuna borough which today belongs to Tammisaari, are not called in vain for the most magnificent historical sight that there is in West-Uusimaa. The castle which is build on top of a rock hill, is absolutely amazing. Even more amazing it was back in the 14th and 15th centuries, when water surrounded the whole castle. The water level back then was about 2 to 2,5 meters higher than it is now. Now due to the lower water level, only the Raasepori river goes by the castle. Officially the castle is called ruins, but ordinary person can really use the word castle. The modern good condition is because museum office has renovated the castle. For example many parts of the castle walls have been now covered by a roof and a wooden platforms has been build inside the castle. 

- The Raasepori castle was established by the Swedes, most likely in the 1370´s. From the castle, Swedes defended their trade interests against the city Reval that belonged to the Hanseatic League. Today Reval is better known as Tallinn. Raasepori also acted as a naval base, when the maritime traffic was stopped to Novgorod at the end of the 15th century, when Sweden fought against the Russians and Danes. The Swedish administrator Sten Sture negotiated near Raasepori with the Baltic aristocrats how the deploy their troops against Russia and Denmark.

- The central position of the castle drew Danes also to the castle and occasionally some pirates would also visit the castle. The area around Raasepori held a trading centre and a dwelling area. The most glorious moments the castle saw in the end of the 15th century, when the Swedish King held his court there. The Danes led by the King Christian II occupied the castle in the year 1520 when the internal battles of  the Union of Kalmar were raging. The King Christian II, who also arranged a bloodbath in Stockholm, had the Bishop Hemming Gadhi executed in the gallows hill, along with the old governor of Raasepori, Nils Banér. 

- Raasepori started to loose it's importance after the Swedish King Gustav I Vasa rose to throne in 1523. He moved the administration to Tammisaari and established cities to Finland. Raasepori was once more repaired because of the King's visit there, but in the 1550´s, it was completely abandoned. The castle remained abandoned for over 300 years, until people started to demolish the castle, by taking away some construction materials from the castle itself. The first renovation efforts were made in the 19th century.

- The last renovation efforts has been made in the 1970´s and 1980´s, but according to the museum officials, it's impossible to renovate the place exactly as it was, because no one knows how the castle looked liked originally. During the summer months, some concerts and theatrical performances are held near the castle, along with a market happening in August. One can also follow the 300 meter long path from the castle to the Sappertuna house museum.