Women in Three Generations

Property of Hiidenmäki has been taken care of by women in three generations. Marjatta’s mother’s aunt Mandi took care of Hiidenmäki at the turn of the twentieth century. Mandi remained unmarried but loved children very much. Since Mandi’s Yellow House had enough space, she accommodated children of her relatives during school semesters.

Marjatta’s godmother Irja inherited the house from Mandi after the wars in the ’40s. Irja worked in a post office until she met her husband in the early ’50s. The young couple moved to Helsinki, and Mandi’s Yellow House was used as their summer place.

Marjatta, Timo and daughters have taken care of and renovated the buildings at Hiidenmäki. Hundred-year-old Mandi’s Yellow House needed a comprehensive renovation that was done during 2005-2006. Nature-themed accommodation houses were opened in spring 2015.

Hotel Hiisi Hill is our dream and we respect the history, culture and nature of our region and value co-operation with other local entrepreneurs. We want you to enjoy your stay. Welcome to the story!

Hiisi Hill

Hiisi Hill (Hiidenmäki) means the hill of a sacred grove. Hiisi, or a sacred grove, were places of exceptional beauty that, became very important spiritual places for the early Finns living in the area. These places were associated with the spiritual world and therefore often had burial grounds nearby. 
 

The Hiidenmäki conservation area is located near the Jämsä city centre. At the conservation area, you can find an Iron Age burial ground protected by the Finnish law of Ancient Monuments.

The Hiidenmäki burial ground has been in use since the end of the Viking era (500 – 1050 AD). Jewels, glass pearls and riding crop have been found in Hiidenmäki. Hiidenmäki Cave was discovered in 1999.
 
The Hiidenmäki sacred grove has been selected as one of Finland’s nationally significant archaeological sites. Hiidenmäki has an exceptionally extensive Viking Age cremation field cemetery, located on a vast rocky area along the Jämsänjoki River.
 

As part of the VARK project launched in 2018, the Finnish Heritage Agency compiled a list of nationally significant archaeological sites (VARK). A total of 1,010 areas from Finland were selected, providing a comprehensive overview of the country’s ancient history.

Learn more about the VARK project on the Finnish Heritage Agency’s website.

Near Nature

A beautiful view of the river valley and the Jämsänjoki river can be observed from the Hiidenmäki cliff. A craggy cliff and a rocky forest are at the centre of the Hiidenmäki conservation area. In the area grows an endangered lichen Cetrelia Olivetorum, that grows usually on a cliff in between moss. The private conservation area was established in 2010 by the hotel owners.