# Kokemäki Castle

- **Country:** Finland
- **Coordinates:** 61.274386, 22.302661
- **Condition:** Totally ruined
- **Year Built:** 1324
- **Location Text:** Kokemäki

Kokemäki Castle was a medieval fortress located on Linnaluoto Island within the Kokemäenjoki river in Kokemäki, part of the historical Satakunta province in Finland. Although the exact start of construction remains unclear, historical records indicate the castle was completed around 1324 to 1325. Built primarily from limestone, the structure likely featured a round tower and served as the administrative center for the Kokemäenkartano district. Its role was comparable to other major Finnish strongholds of the era, such as Turku and Häme Castles, functioning as a key hub for regional governance and defense during the Middle Ages.

The castle's existence was relatively brief, ending dramatically in the mid-14th century. Between 1364 and 1365, it was besieged by forces loyal to King Albert of Sweden while under the control of King Magnus IV. Ultimately, local residents complained about the heavy taxation required to maintain the garrison, prompting King Albert to issue a warrant for its demolition on July 12, 1367. Following its destruction, a new fortress known as Aborch was established slightly upstream, though that site was also abandoned by the 1410s.

Today, no visible structures of Kokemäki Castle remain above ground. Archaeological excavations conducted in 1885 uncovered artifacts dating back to the late Bronze Age, as well as items from the 13th and 14th centuries that confirmed the site's medieval occupation. While the physical building is gone, the location stands as a significant historical landmark representing the turbulent political landscape of medieval Finland and Sweden. The site is now recognized primarily for its archaeological value and its former status as a strategic administrative point before its deliberate dismantling over six centuries ago.

![Photo of Kokemäki Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/2014_Kokem%C3%A4en_Linnaluoto_01.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokemäki_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)