History of Knipnäs
History of Knipnäs
The history of the Ekenäs dates back to the 16th century when King Gustav Vasa of Sweden granted town rights to the small fishing village in 1546, around the same time as Helsinki. In 2009, the city of Tammisaari was dissolved and merged with the city of Karis and the municipality of Pojo to form the city of Raseborg. The central area of Ekenäs is the largest urban area and administrative center of Raseborg, with a population of about 15,000 residents. Today, Ekenäs is an idyllic small town, with Knipnäs, located near the town center, offering various opportunities for local entrepreneurs as well as domestic and international tourists.
Ekenäs in the 1890s
Image: Finnish Heritage Agency (HK19780429:44)
The magnificent Knipnäs building was completed as a hospital in 1935 and has had a colorful century-long history in healthcare. Operating as a hospital under the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District, Knipnäs served until 1996. In the early 2000s, the city of Ekenäs purchased the building and its land, converting the facilities for use by Axxell, a vocational school. Axxell is one of the largest providers of Swedish-language vocational education in Finland, and its administrative offices remain located at Knipnäs.
The Story Behind Knipnäs logo
The stately property is showcased in the logo, presenting its beautiful facade in a lush park-like environment. The oak trees in the logo also signify the locality’s name, while honoring its historical Swedish roots with text as well. The flight of birds symbolizes the mystery that connects our worlds and the realization of human ability to seek happiness, adapt to new places, find a home, and also Knipnäs address at Fågelsången 1 (Fågelsången in English: Bird song). A warm welcome to the historical Knipnäs!
