Sights and Activities at the Kuusisto Bishop's Castle Ruins

Opening Hours

The Kuusisto Bishop's Castle ruins are open to visitors free of charge all year round. The site is not staffed and there is no winter maintenance.

Address of the site: Linnanrauniontie 633, Kaarina

Contact Information

Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, tel. +358 40 163 6200 info(at)haltia.com

Metsähallitus is responsible for the maintenance and management of the castle ruins.

As a rule, a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required for activities other than those included in everyman's rights, which may include research and organised events. Further information on required permits: research and access permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).

Sights and Activities

• The medieval Kuusisto Bishop's Castle was built as a stronghold for bishops of the Catholic church in Finland, on the shore of Piikkiönlahti bay. The castle was built, repaired, extended and used for a couple of centuries. In fact, in the early 1500s this was one of the largest bishop's castles in the Swedish realm. King Gustav Vasa ordered the castle to be demolished in 1528, after which the once grand castle became overgrown.
• Orders for a guided tour, subject to a charge, to Kaarina guides/Kaarinan oppaat ry: kaarinanoppaat(at)gmail.com, Lea Heinonen-Eerola tel. +358 400 520 110.
• Flush toilet is located by the ruins close to the shore. The toilet is closed during the winter season. The toilet opens again in the spring. 
• The marked nature trail of the Kappelimäki Nature Reserve (3.2 km) is by the castle ruin. The nature trail (visitkaarina.fi) begins at the Kuusisto Manor parking area.
• Kuusisto Art Manor summer café (about 700 m before the castle ruin) hosts an art exhibition. Read more: Kuusisto Art Manor (kuusistontaidekartano.fi).
• Enterprises and organisations offering services in Kuusisto
  • They have a cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus and they follow the principles of sustainable nature tourism when operating in the Kuusisto Bishop's Castle Ruins.