Lauenstein Castle presides majestically over the Müglitztal Valley. The origins of the castle are unknown, Lauenstein was probably founded around the year 1200 as a border castle. Lauenstein is mentioned for the first time in 1241.
A spacious residential castle was built here in the 16th century on the site of a medieval fortress. Even today, the ruins are still reminiscent of the medieval castle. The castle is essentially characterized by the Renaissance style. The east and south-west wings have been preserved from the once three-winged castle. The north wing collapsed in the middle of the 19th century due to dilapidation. It has not yet been rebuilt.
The impressive Wappensaal, the Vogelsaal, the music room and many interesting details still testify today to the artistry of the builder Günther von Bünau (1557 - 1619) and the subsequent generations of Saxon noble family, residing for three centuries in Lauenstein. High-quality portrait sculptures - dating from the beginning of the 17th century - have been preserved in the chapel and the tower room. The reconstructed park in baroque style and the herb garden with its ornamental plants frame the castle.The main castle has been extensively renovated and restored over the past three decades and now houses the Museum of East Ore Mountains.
References:Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm. On December a special petrol lantern, designed and built in Paris, was brought to Bengtskär and installed atop the tower.
German fleet bombarded Bengstkär in the First World War in 1914. Since the Gulf of Finland was heavily mined, it was not until 1919 that the surrounding seas were declared safe for shipping, that the light was lit again.
After the war the military value of Bengtskär increased as part of the defence system of independent Finland. In Second World War (1941) Soviet Union made a suprise attack to island. After a bloody battle, the small Finnish garrison emerged victorious. Intermittent repairs to the facility continued during the post-war period.