Nestled in the countryside of Paimio, Southwest Finland, lies a site steeped in history and mystery: Rekottila. It is home to ancient rock paintings, the remnants of a possible castle, and burial cairns dating back to the Bronze Age. Recently, I had the chance to visit this place on my way to Turku, and though the climb up the hill was steep and challenging, the experience was rewarding. There is a lot of history and mysteries packed in this one location. What a fascinating place.
The short journey from parking lot to Rekottila ruins is not for the faint-hearted. As I approached the hill, known locally as Katinhäntä, I was contemplating whether I should leave the ascent to some other less hot day. Katinhäntä is not a high hill by any means, but the path was so steep, that I felt slightly dizzy. I decided to be very careful and slowly continued my way towards the hilltop. It wasn’t as bad as it looked, but I was still wondering how on earth I will ever get back down from here.
Discovering the Rekottila rock paintings
When I made it to the top, I was welcomed by the rock paintings that make Rekottila such a unique site. Paimio is an unusual location for rock art, as only few examples have been found near the coast. I believe this is the westernmost rock painting found so far in Finland. The painting, discovered in 1989 during an archaeological inventory, consists of red spots that stand out against the gray rock surface. These pigments, located about 1.5 meters above the ground, appear to have been man-made, though their exact purpose remains unclear.
I was staring at the rock paintings for quite a while but my mind was blank. What could this painting have been? I decided to take another look at it at home when I could enhance the red color in my pictures, but I still can’t figure it out. I guess it’s a rock painting if someone says so. One thing’s for sure: A person who painted it never knew for how long it would stay visible. I wish I could send them a message from the year 2024. Whether it was a mark left by hunting communities or a more symbolic gesture, the painting adds another layer to Rekottila’s mysterious past.
And mysterious castle ruins
Paimio is home to two ancient castles, Nakolinna and Rekottila. Although only fragments of the ancient stone walls remain here, mainly on the southern edge of the summit, standing on this location today gave me a glimpse of what might have existed centuries ago. This area hasn’t been researched but the castle could be from Bronze Age (1700-500 BC). It might not have been a defense fort but rather a gathering place.
The noise from the nearby highway was loud and bothered me as I was looking at the castle ruins and trying to think how many generations I had to calculate to get to the people who perhaps constructed this place during the Bronze Age. If we take the Bronze Age as approximately 1200 BC, that’s about 3,200 years ago from the present day. Assuming an average generation length of about 25 years, people who lived during the Bronze Age would be roughly 128 generations back from today. Mind-blowing.
As well as ancient burial cairns
As I continued exploring the area, I found the ancient burial cairns, known in Finnish as hiidenkiukaat. About 70 meters southwest of the castle ruins, on a nearby hill, there are three burial cairns and the foundations of two others that appear to have been dismantled. All five cairns are situated on high ground, about 10 meters apart from each other. According to the Finnish Heritage Agency, these stone structures, some of which were excavated in the late 19th century, revealed burned bones, offering a glimpse into the burial practices of the Bronze Age. The cairns, weathered by time, stand as silent witnesses to the lives and beliefs of the people who once inhabited this area. Long, long time ago.
Visiting Rekottila was a journey through time, a chance to walk in the footsteps of those who lived centuries, or even thousands of years, before us. The steep climb to the hillfort, the mysterious rock paintings, castle ruins, and the ancient burial cairns all contribute to the site’s allure. Rekottila may not be widely known destination to visit, but for those who seek out its hidden treasures, it offers a deeply enriching experience. Sometimes it’s good to take a moment and think about how short our own lifespan is in the history of humankind. Standing in ancient ruins, we gain perspective on our place in this vast continuum. It’s a reminder that while our time may be brief, our actions and experiences are part of a much larger story that connects us to those who came before and those who will follow.
It was time to leave the site and walk back down. I carefully made my way down the hill.
Directions to Rekottila ancient castle
Address:
Rekottilan muinaispolku
Mätiköntie 100
21530 Paimio
How to get there:
- Car: You can reach this location easily by car from highway 1 between Helsinki and Turku. There is space for cars by the Mätiköntie road. You will find a beginning of a path from the left side of the information board, there is a little wooden bridge by the road.
- Public transport: You can get to Paimio town by public transport from Turku or Helsinki but there is no public transport bypassing this location. From the bus stop “Paimio” by the highway there is about 2,7 kilometers walk to this location.
Facilities: There are no facilities in the area. There is a free parking area about 100 meters from the rock paintings.
When to go: I recommend visiting this place when there is no snow for obvious reasons.
Accessibility: This site is not suitable for all and I wouldn’t recommend visiting this place with small children due to unprotected cliffs.
Special to know: This area is protected by the Antiquities Act (295/63). It is forbidden to excavate, cover, alter, damage or remove ancient relics or disturb them in any other way.
Read more about Paimio
Penimäki heap tombs in Paimio date back to Bronze Age
Exploring Hiekkahelmi trail in Paimio with new friends
Paimio hiking trail – a well-hidden gem of Southern Finland
