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Kuusisto Manor, Kuusisto

The main building of Kuusisto Manor dates back to 1738 and is one of Finland's oldest wooden residential buildings. It was built as the official residence for the commander of Finland's military forces, the colonel of Turku infantry regiment. In medieval times in the place of the residence was Kuusisto Manor, which was in charge of the farming and animal husbandry for the near-by Bishop's Castle, a refuge for Catholic bishops. After the reformation in 1528 King Gustav Vasa ordered Bishop's Castle to be demolished; however, Kuusisto Manor could remain. Its management was first given Turku Castle after which the estate was enfeoffed to high ranking civil servants, governors and the presidents of the Court of Appeal.  The ruins of Bishop's Castle in Kuusisto, the historical manor milieu and beautiful nature form a unique cultural landscape. The signposted Kuusisto culture and nature path introduces the historical monuments. The Bishop's Castle ruins situated near the manor house can be accessed free of charge. Kuusisto Manor came under ownership of the National Board of Antiquities in 1977 and was opened for public in 1989. The main building of the manor displays three exhibitions which tell about the events in Bishop's Castle, the restoration of the ruins, the history of the colonel's residence and Kuusisto's natural surroundings. Free entry to the manor and to exhibitions. Café and small shop are also located in the main building. Kuusisto Manor is situated on an island on Finland's southwestern coast ca. 15 km southeast of Turku.