Life and culture on Kimito Island has been characterized by its industry, archipelago and nature. The island has played an important role for Finland both in the time of war and peace. The Kimito Island has many places to visit, waters to sail, and last but not least; many stories to tell.
Photo: Dalsbruk, Visit Kimitoön / Cami Moberg-Nordgren
Already in the 17th century the first blast furnance was built in Dalsbruk and the metal industry remains to this day, altough more modern. The historically interested visitor has a whole lot to see; the industry-workers houses, Europes biggest collection of charcoal ovens and the blast furnance. Most of the buildings are built of slag stone, a by-product of the metal industry. In Dalsbruk there’s a big harbour for visitors which makes it easier to continue the trip further into the archipelago.
When the summer is at its best one can listen to the tones of the popular Baltic Jazz festival. Once you’ve seen Dalsbruk in the summer it can be hard to stay away!
Photo: Bengtskär, Benjamin Donner / aavameri.fi
Bengtskär is the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries and was built in 1906-1907. The lighthouse stands 50 metres tall and it takes 300 steps to get to the lens house. The lighthouse played an important part in the Finnish Continuation War when Finnish and Russian soldiers fought at sea.
Trips to Bengtskär are popular and it’s recommended also for ones that aren’t very interested in lighthouses!
Photo: Örö, Visit Kimitoön
Örö is a part of the Archipelago National Park and is owned by the Finnish state. The nature in Örö is very special due to the fact that Örö has been closed for the general public, leaving the nature preserved. Örö’s has a very rough, war filled history. There is traces from the early 20th century when Finland was occupied by Russia, the Finnish Civil War, Winter War and Continuation War. Artillery batteries, the road network and constructions are still in place. In peacetime, Örö has served as a place for education and surveillance until 2005. The Finnish Defence Forces does no longer occupy Örö, which is now open for the general public since January 2015.
Photo: Rosala, Visit Kimitoön/Pepe Korteniemi 2020
You can get to Hitis (besides by boat) with the ferry Aura which departs from Kasnäs. In Hitis rests from the Vikings have been found, and they also have one of the oldest wooden churches in Finland. In the Viking-centre you can get familiar with the exciting histories and objects from long ago, and stay overnight like a Viking would have done!
Photo: Högsåra, Visit Kimitoön/Pepe Korteniemi
Högsåra is located west of Kasnäs and one can get there easily by the cable ferry from Kasnäs. Högsåra is well known for it’s fancy guests, e.g. the Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf and Alexander III of Russia. Alexander III used to visit the fishing lady Serafina, who was living in a simple cabin at the beach. The woman, who delivered fish for the Russian czar later got known as “Caesarfina”. Högsåra had its own pilot station for a long time. You can learn more about the piloting and the archipelago in the museum of Jungfrusund and in Beata’s lodge, which shows the oldest living environment in Dragsfjärd.
At Högsåra there’s three majestic wind power plants that can be seen all the way from Dalsbruk in good weather.
Photo: Sagalund, Visit Kimitoön/Cami Moberg-Nordgren
In the museum of Sagalund in Kimito one can get familiar with how the people, rich and poor, worked and lived back in the old days. The exhibitions and the historical roleplays are very funny to watch. The garden is decorated with beautiful plants and with animals in the summer.
