Details
Founded: 1771-1902Category: Industrial sites in Finland
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Finland)
User Reviews
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
House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju nams) is a building situated in the old town of Riga. The original building was erected during the first third of the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried German merchants in Riga. Major works were done in the years 1580 and 1886, adding most of the ornaments.
The structure was bombed to a ruin by the Germans June 28, 1941 and the remains demolished by the Soviets in 1948. The current reconstruction was erected from 1995 to 1999. Today the House of Blackheads serves as a museum and sometimes concert hall.