Askainen

Askainen is a destination for anyone looking to combine Finnish history with a variety of outdoor experiences. The most prominent landmark is Louhisaari Manor House: it is considered a rare example of palace architecture in Finland and is also the birthplace of Finnish Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim. Askainen Church and Ritaripuisto Memorial Park also tell the story of the area.

Louhisaari: architecture and garden spaces

The manor house remained in the Mannerheim family’s possession until 1903. Its significance is linked both to a Finnish family and to the country’s architectural history. Those considering Askainen because of Louhisaari will find a clear historical focus for their trip here—although the history is not confined to the manor house itself.

The manor house is surrounded by three distinct garden areas: a kitchen garden laid out in the style of the 18th century, an orchard and a spacious English-style park with garden pavilions. This variety also makes Louhisaari appealing to travellers who appreciate landscaped outdoor spaces as well as architectural history. The kitchen garden, orchard and park each have their own character; together, they form another part of the historic ensemble.

Church and remembrance in Askainen

The present-day Askainen Church was built in the 1650s by Herman Klaunpoika Fleming, the owner of Louhisaari Manor at the time. The cemetery is also home to the Mannerheim family tomb chapel, built in 1823 by Carl Eerik Mannerheim. Carl Eerik was Marshal Mannerheim’s great-grandfather on his father’s side. The church and tomb chapel thus offer a distinct historical perspective from Louhisaari’s palace architecture.

Ritaripuisto is also part of the area’s history. Established in the Askainen area in 2007, the park is near the church and honours fallen soldiers. It commemorates both the Knights of the Mannerheim Cross and the entire generation of veterans. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose a historical focus that looks beyond the Mannerheim family to remembrance and veterans’ history.

Annual celebrations, markets and activities

Two events take place in Askainen every year in early June. The annual Ritaripuisto celebration is held at this time, and the traditional Marskin-Markkinat markets are also held annually in early June in Askainen’s market square. The celebration is associated with the memorial park, while the markets are a separate event at a different venue. If you would like to plan your stay around one of these traditions, early June is the key time to note.

For time outdoors, Pikisaari offers a different kind of experience: it has sand, rocks and a long pier. Pikisaari Beach is near Louhisaari Manor and offers opportunities for swimming and barbecuing. Alongside the historical attractions, swimming and barbecuing are therefore options to consider when planning your trip.

If you would like to include some exercise, consider the Askainen fitness steps: from the top, you can access a fitness and exercise trail. The steps and the trail that continues from them are the features described; they add an active option to the historical and beach-related attractions.

Choose the focus of your stay

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Askainen, consider which part of the area is most important to your trip: Louhisaari with its manor house and gardens, the local history around the church and Ritaripuisto, the events held in early June, or Pikisaari with its beach, swimming and barbecuing.

Discover more places

If you would like to explore more places: Merimasku, Laitila, Marttila, Korppoo, Pöytyä, Kaarina, Västanfjärd, Sauvo.

For the broader travel overview: Varsinais-Suomi.