A long time ago, Vikings had a great influence in our region and on our island. Around year 800 they left Sweden for Finland. They first practiced trade in the area of current Satakunta and Pirkanmaa, populating the riverbank of Kokemäenjoki. Later they migrated all the way to Häme, where they encountered strong Finns.

After countless brutal battles, Swedish Vikings were forced to run east, along the Gulf of Finland, all the way to Russia. Some Finnish tribes from Häme followed suit, often stopping to hunt for furs, because game was plenty in those forests.

The Viking influence spanned from 9th century all the way to 13th. For the most part, the vikings populated the small islands surrounding the continent, such as Rakinkotka and Kuorsalo. On these islands there have been multiple findings of ancient Viking graves, various artefacts and even a wreckage of a Viking ship.

The Vikings then continued their journey towards Russia, from where they followed the river to Constantinople. From there, along the silk routes, they ventured to China, where they sold the furs procured in Finland.

The Viking Monument on our Rakinkotka island was built in 2012. The island itself is protected by Njord, the god of seas, Thor the god of war, and Freija, the goddess of love, beauty and fertility.