Vehkalahti
Encyclopedia
Vehkalahti is a former municipality surrounding the town of Hamina
in south-eastern Finland
. At the beginning of 2003 Hamina and Vehkalahti combined to form a new town of Hamina.
is known to be the oldest parts of modern Finland with settlements. First markings of Vehkalahti as a continuous settlement or village are dated in 1336, when it has become a major place for east/west trading. The plans to build a town grew slowly as the place become crowded. In 1653 the area surrounding the village church officially became a town, which was called Vehkalahden Uusikaupunki .
, but later many areas became new municipalities. Largest population centers are Husula
, Salmenkylä, Uusi-Summa, Poitsila and Neuvoton, there are also many rural villages like Metsäkylä, Reitkalli, Kannusjärvi and Pyhältö.
, knaappiaateli (families Husgafvel, Pilhjerta and Brandstaka), which also acted as a link between Vehkalahti and the Vyborg Castle. Built by Swedes, about 100 kilometre east of Vehkalahti, it became place of great military importance for European east/west foreign communication. Today it is located on Russian territory.
) was built in the 14th century at the place were the town of Hamina is now.
Hamina
Hamina is a town and a municipality of Finland. It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Kymenlaakso region. The town has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water. The population density is...
in south-eastern Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. At the beginning of 2003 Hamina and Vehkalahti combined to form a new town of Hamina.
History
These southern parts of KareliaKarelia
Karelia , the land of the Karelian peoples, is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for Finland, Russia, and Sweden...
is known to be the oldest parts of modern Finland with settlements. First markings of Vehkalahti as a continuous settlement or village are dated in 1336, when it has become a major place for east/west trading. The plans to build a town grew slowly as the place become crowded. In 1653 the area surrounding the village church officially became a town, which was called Vehkalahden Uusikaupunki .
Surroundings
While the area in the immediate vicinity of the church building became a town, the surrounding land remained countryside. Formerly the area of Vehkalahti was much larger, almost the entire KymenlaaksoKymenlaakso
Kymenlaakso is a region in Finland. It borders to the regions Uusimaa, Päijänne Tavastia, Southern Savonia, and South Karelia.- Historical provinces :For history, geography and culture see: Uusimaa , Karelia- Municipalities :...
, but later many areas became new municipalities. Largest population centers are Husula
Husula
Husula is a neighborhood in Hamina, Finland. It is located approximately 3 kilometres north from the center of Hamina. Before the town of Hamina and municipality of Vehkalahti merged at the beginning of 2003, Husula was part of Vehkalahti...
, Salmenkylä, Uusi-Summa, Poitsila and Neuvoton, there are also many rural villages like Metsäkylä, Reitkalli, Kannusjärvi and Pyhältö.
Peculiar Nobility
In literature, Vehkalahti is particularly renowned for its peculiar medieval petty nobilityPetty nobility
Petty nobility is dated at least back to 13th century and was formed by Nobles/Knights around their strategic interests. The idea was more capable peasants with leader roles in local community that were given tax exemption for taking care of services like for example guard duties of local primitive...
, knaappiaateli (families Husgafvel, Pilhjerta and Brandstaka), which also acted as a link between Vehkalahti and the Vyborg Castle. Built by Swedes, about 100 kilometre east of Vehkalahti, it became place of great military importance for European east/west foreign communication. Today it is located on Russian territory.
Vehkalahti church
The Vehkalahti church (now known as St. Mary's church, or Marian kirkko in FinnishFinnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
) was built in the 14th century at the place were the town of Hamina is now.