Häme Castle is situated in Hämeenlinna, the main city of the South Finland Province and Häme Region. It dominates the city's identity. Häme Castle is close to the centre of the present-day city of Hämeenlinna, which was built in the 19th and 20th centuries, and dominates the region's cultural landscape. From the tourism point of view, Häme Castle is the city's focal point.

13th century The predecessor of Häme Castle, Vanai Castle, is built by Finns on the banks of Vanajavesi Lake. Novgorod and Sweden vie to extend their religious and political sphere of influence to Häme.

1323 Treaty of Nöteborg (Pähkinäsaari) concluded between Sweden and Novgorod. Häme Castle becomes the residence of the Swedish castle commandant.

1497 The whole of Finland becomes the personal fiefdom of Sten Sture the Elder. Häme Castle and province belong to his wife Ingeborg Åkensdatter Tott. Under Lady Ingeborg there is lavish court life at Häme Castle.

16th century Gustav Vasa turns Häme Castle into an administrative and economic centre to serve the purposes of the crown and bailiffs appointed by the king start to run the castle. Towards the end of the century the castle is no longer inhabited and falls into disrepair.

1606 Erik Hare appointed castle commandant and begins to restore Häme Castle. Gustav II Adolf and his wife visit the castle in 1614.

17th century Häme Castle militarily outdated and marginalized. It loses its status as the province's administrative centre.

1659 Häme Castle burns, and despite repairs and reconstruction falls into disrepair again.

1721 Following the Treaty of Nystad (Uusikaupunki) the Swedish Diet decides to increase defences at inland fortresses and Häme Castle becomes the army's main base and magazine.

1777 Häme Castle developed as a fortress. Bulwarks and moats built round it as in a system of bastions. Further buildings are added:

1783 a guardhouse and a bailey building to the west with gun and repair workshops and carriage depots. The soldiers' sleeping and eating quarters are in the northern bailey building.

6.3.1808 The Swedish army vacates Häme Castle. On 8 March 1808 the town alderman, Granberg, hands over the keys to the castle to the Russian army.

1830s Häme Castle partially converted into a crown prison.

1841 Imperial edict decrees that the recently founded Kronoborg labour and correction institution and Hämeenlinna prison should operate jointly. The castle's quarters are divided up between the Russian soldiers, the prison and the labour and correction institution.

1869 Kronoborg labour and correction institution disbanded. The Russian troops' quarters are turned into a new penitentiary.

1881 The only penitentiary in Finland for women is founded in Häme Castle. There is also a labour camp for women.

1953 The government decides to close the Häme Castle prison and to renovate the castle as a monument.

4.4.1979 The main part of Häme Castle is opened to the public. The baileys are opened in 1988. The aim of the renovation work has been to restore the pre-1880 exterior of the castle before it was a prison.

There is a series of cultural history exhibitions at Häme Castle as well as a museum shop, summer café and a function room. The Hämeenlinna Historical Museum, Prison Museum and Artillery Museum are located on the castle promontory. Many annual cultural events are held at Häme Castle from a medieval event to jazz concerts.