The St. John's Church in the Hamina city centre was built in 1841-1843. It was designed by famous architect Carl Ludvig Engel and represents the Neoclassicism style with strong influence of Greece temples.
Before the present church there was a church of Ulrika Eleanora (built in 1732, destroyed by fire in 1742) and the commandant’s house. The residence of the fortress commander was the place where the Russian negotiators lived and signed the Treaty of Hamina (after the Finnish War in 1809).
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.