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YLIKARTANO IN RETULANSAARI - The Ylikartano mansion owned by the Finnish Cultural Heritage Foundation (Suomen Kulttuuriperinnön Säätiö) is situated in Hattula in the area of the former Tyrväntö, approximately 30 kilometers from Hämeenlinna. Retulansaari is the greatest island of the lake Vanajavesi and it is connected to the mainland with a bridge. Situated on the island is a tight knit group-village of three houses. Ylikartano is one of these old houses. Retulansaari is valuable land as far as nature and scenery go. The island is a a part of the national-scenery of the Vanajavesi valley and in it's southern part there is a rather vast conservation area that is protecting in particular the very valuable shore-groves. Retulansaari has been habited non-stop ever since the iron age, for at least 1500 years. The oldest findings of the pollen of grain date back to before the beginning of time. The habitants of the iron age are still told of by the burial-mounds and other rock-piles and also by sacrificial rocks i.e. "cup-rocks". The most well known area of ancient remainders is the Myllymäki iron age living- and burial ground -area partly situated in the Ylikartano area. Over 200 differend man-made mounds and several sacrificial-rocks have been found and catalogued in Myllymäki. The ancient finds of the area have been dated back to approximately between 6th and 12th century. Ancient findings have also been made from many other locations on the island. Among others in the Pelto-Itu area that is a part of the Ylikartano. Arceological excavations are continuing. The paistures of Ylikartano and the neighbouring farm Alikartano are nationally valuable traditional surroundings. The scenery has been preserved thanks to, above all, pasturing that has gone on for a long time. The island has preserved wonderful meadows, forest-pasturest and woodlands, of which the most beautiful is the Myllymäki juniper-wood. Some of the endangered plants in the island are among others: The Europian white Elm, Boraginaceae, and Yellow bedstraw some specian to be kept an eye on are Moonwort and the Golden clover. The oldest mentioning of Retulansaari in documents dates back to 1429. Lepaa Kartano owned land in Retula in the 16th and 17th century, as well as the Tasainen-family that is involved with the old Jutikkala-mansion in Sääksmäki. In the 1800s the Ylikartano was a wealthy house, a horse-estate, where the peasant way of life was combined with a pursuit for a social and cultural rise. Matti Retula, one of the house's masters served as a presentetative of the peasant-class in the parliament in the year 1863. It was typical of the house to contribute to education, civilizing the people and mental mental culture, especially educating girls. Womens tradition of handcraft that has continued from generation to generation is a signifigant part of the house's valuables. After the master of Ylikartano had fallen during the Winter war (1939-1940) the daughters of the house, who had achieved Master's degrees, Talvikki and Valvatti Vaulo returned to their home where they practiced farming untill the 1990s. The lives of the two sisters was labeled by a strong interest in history and their native region. Among other things ther was a vast home-museum put together in the house. In 1999 the sisters testamented and donated the house to Finnish Cultural Heritage Foundation/Suomen Kulttuuriperinnön Säätiö. The foundation tends to the cultural legace of the estate and the island and the scenery. The building's and the surroundings are kept in condition and in active use by, among others, arranging small events for the public. Ylikartano is becoming a meeting place for art and science and other culture respecting the locations own traditions - Ylikartano cultural sight. The oldest parts of the Ylikartano main building are from the beginning of the 19th century. The house has been preserved with it's decorations in the same appearence as it was in the time of the previous inhabitans. The main building functions as both a museum as atmospheric premises for events. From the main building's porch opens a view into the yard-park and garden, which has multiple sorts of plantations that produce food for the kitchen of the house. In the spring of 2006 modern meeting- and cultural-premises have become ready in the estates old stable. Also situated in the vicinity the alitupa, which dates back to the 18th century, has been renovared by traditional methods to serve as a space usable for many sorts of events and a dining area. In Ylikartano one can get familiar with the history of the location and of the area and arrange events of your own. You can find information on Ylikartano and it's events in www.ylikartano.fi. Those interested in presentation and renting the premises may contact the managing director.
Executing manager Marjukka Kulmanen |
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Finnish Cultural Heritage Foundation
Suomen Kulttuuriperinnön Säätiö Unioninkatu 22 00130 Helsinki Donations account: 157230-412924 www.kulttuuriperinto.fi |
Ylikartano contacts:
Marjukka Kulmanen +358 44 094 0048 ylikartano(at)kulttuuriperinto.fi www.ylikartano.fi |
Translation by Lauri Karvonen
Ylikartano cultural sight
Photos of Ylikartano
Finnish Cultural Heritage Foundation/Suomen Kulttuuriperinnön Säätiö