The building at Brahenkatu street 13 is known as Kivi-Sovio, Stone-Sovio due to it’s impressively high rising stone foundation. The construction of the plot was initiated by Carl Gustaf Hedman in 1812. The main building was completed during Catharina Frieman's ownership in 1849.
Fredrik Soveliuksen wife Catharina Frieman was the daughter of Johan Frieman, a merchant from Raahe. During the Crimean War, the hostilities reached Raahe. Many townspeople gathered their belongings and fled to safety. It's said that Mrs. Sovelius refused to let anyone touch her belongings, and she was known to have said, "If it burns, let it burn."
The couple had nine children, four daughters, and five sons. The fate of their daughter Agnes is tragic. When she was ten years old, she drowned while playing by the sea shore. Despite search efforts, her body was not found for a long time. Eventually, someone noticed a flock of seagulls always flying in the same spot near the shore, occasionally diving into the sea. It was from that spot that the girl's body was found in shallow water. A white bird adorns her grave cross in Haarala cemetary.
Of their daughters, Emilia and Sofia got married, while Rosa remained unmarried and passed away in Stockholm.
The people of Raahe today recognize the building as Hansa House. The name comes from the hotel-restaurant that operated in the building for decades.
More information in Finnish
Eero Sovelius-Sovio: Sovio-Sovelius-sukukirja ja Ihmisiä laivojen kaupungista
Raahen kaupungin kiinteistö- ja mittausosaston arkisto
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