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Founded: 1771-1902Category: Industrial sites in Finland
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Finland)
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The history of Leineperi (Fredriksfors in Swedish) village dates back to the 1630s. The ironworks was founded in 1771 by Berndt Johan Hastfehr. Until the end of 19th century ironworks manufactured all kinds of iron tools like nails, bolts and spades. The ironworks expanded little by little and in the the 19th century Leineperi was one of the largest iron manufacturers in Finland. The ironworks area consisted several manufacturing plants and residences of workers.
The ironworks business ended in 1902 and the site was moved as farm. Today Leineperi Ironworks presents a living example of the first stages of the industrialisation in Finland. A blast furnace and a bar-iron forge are some of the attractions at the site. The smiths' old cottages serve as workshops of the craftspeople and artists. The ironworks village offers also various events in historic industrial mileu, such as Spring, Autumn and Christmas Markets, Antique Fairs, Metal Art Weeks, summer theatre, wedding banquets, meetings etc.
Reference: Official website
Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.
Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.
There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.