History of the Katinen Manor

Katinen Manor was already known in the 13th Century when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Finland?s ruler at that time, Earl Birger, used Häme Castle as a military base during his crusades to Finland. As with many other manor houses, Katinen Manor has a long line of ownership, which includes many illustrious figures in Finland's history. Katinen received the title of a manor upon the acquisition of the holding by municipal councillor Johan Fredrik Lönnholtz in 1856. The present red brick main building, in neo-renaissance style, was completed in 1862. The wooden, former main building in empire style dates from the 18th Century. The Manor?s greystone granary and stable date from the end of the 18th Century. The granary, nowadays a manor house museum, contains many old vehicles, such as carriages and sledges, and lots of tools and objects from the Manor's past. The Manor was engaged in animal husbandry, as well as agriculture and forestry until the end of 1950?s. The Manor?s Ruununmylly mill kept grinding flour for domestic use until 1960's. Local hydropower ensured the Manor a supply of electricity even before the city of Hämeenlinna. The hydro turbine, installed in 1990, continues the Manor's tradition of hydropower.