Details
Founded: 1672-1683Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Finland
Historical period: Swedish Empire (Finland)
Interesting Sites Nearby
User Reviews
Suur-Sarvilahti (Storsarvlax) three storey manor was built by the remarkable noble family Creutz. Building started in 1672 and completed 1683. After them Born family used it as a residence for the long time. The manor was damaged in the Great Wrath and renovated in 18th and 19th centuries. Borns donated Suur-Sarvilahti to Svenska kulturfonden (foundation of Swedish culture) in 1950s.
The rare baroque-style makes Suur-Sarvilahti one of the most finest manor houses in Finland. Unfortunately it’s nowadays in private use and not open to public.
The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.