Liikistö, Medieval archaeological site in Vanhakylä district, Ulvila, Finland
Liikistö is a medieval archaeological site in the Vanhakylä district located between a connecting road and the river, containing structures dating to the 13th century. The location reveals remains of a church, trading post, and cemetery that show how settlement life was organized in that era.
Excavations beginning in the 1930s documented nearly 300 graves and wall foundations that revealed settlement life from the 13th century onward. The site grew as a major trading hub that connected the region to broader Baltic networks.
This location served as a meeting point where merchants and local people gathered for trade and justice in medieval times. The memorial stones and large cross installed in 1982 reflect how the community continues to honor the site's past role.
The site sits on a wooded hilltop with former river channels nearby and is accessible on foot to visitors. Wear sturdy footwear since the terrain is uneven and the ground can be muddy or root-filled depending on the season.
Limestone grave markers at the site bear names of merchants from distant places like Germany and Gotland, revealing how far trade networks extended. These foreign names carved in stone offer a rare glimpse into the international character of medieval trading settlements.
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