Mustasaari (Korsholm)

Korsholm has a unique and beautiful archipelago with open bays, narrow straits and rocky shores. The archipelago is more than beautiful nature, about 2,000 people live here. For these people small industry, such as fishing and small-scale farming are important means of livelihood.

History

The history of Korsholm is the history of Vasa and Ostrobothnia. The granite cross, on the ramparts of the castle that once stood in Korsholm, symbolizes Christianity's first conquests in Ostrobothnia. In the 1370's a castle (Chrysseborg) was built to help defend the country and in the 1550's a Royal Farm (today a school of agriculture) was built in Korsholm.

In the year 1606 king Karl IX raised the status of the village to that of a city, and shortly thereafter it was given the royal name of Wasa. The city was destroyed by fire in 1852 and was then movedto its current location.

Today

Korsholm is a coastal community in the heart of Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia. A unique archipelago, vast plains and a living countryside are the assets. Here you will find historical sights and an interesting building culture. Korsholm also has a very active musical and cultural life. Stundars, one of Finland's seven tourist wonders is situated here. Another strong attraction is the Music Festival in Korsholm.

Korsholm is a vast community bordering on the city of Vasa. It covers an area of 2,801 square kilometers (1,082 square miles) of which 847 square kilometers (327 square miles) are land and 1,954 square kilometers (754square miles) are water. Consequently, the archipelago is very large - one of the largest in the country - extending for miles and miles into the gulf of Bothnia.

Korsholm has a population of about 16,000 (1989), and is expanding very fast.

Approx. 30 % of the population is enganged in traditional farming or special branches of it such as growing sugar-beets, cabbage, strawberries and fur farming. About 14,000 hectars (34,594 acres) are cultivated.

The industry in Korsholm has a long history. Grönvik Glassworks was at the end of the 19th century one of the largest glassworks in Finland.

Today about 30 % of the population works in industry. However there is no large-scale industry in Korsholm. Instead several smaller industries representing different fields have developed.

Ostrobothnia is often described as the landscape of open plains. This landscape is characterized by space, an infinite feeling of peace and thousands of small grey hay barns. In Korsholm this typical Ostrobothnian plain can be found in the Kyro river valley, at the lower reaches of the Toby stream and in Söderfjärden.

Elsewhere the scenery varies with rocky, wooden ridges and hills. Especially in the archipelago, the higher situated pastures and small fields are enclosed by stone fences, which bear witness to the toil of past generations. In many places the village and farm roads are lined with birches, which adds a contour to the vast plains, joining the together and making them more beautiful.

The Old Harbour in Bodback.

In 1617 here was postal service from Bodback over the Gulf of Bothnia to Holmön in Kvarken, E of Umeå in Sweden. This went on for several hundred years and wasthe responsibility of the people of Björkö. In return king Gustaf II Adolf awarded them tax relief and exemption from military service.