These candle holders, apparently designed by a local coppersmith, probably date back to the last decade of the 18th century. The story of these candle holders is a romantic tale of the love and loyalty of two young Raahe residents that lasted throughout their lives.

Cousins in love

The main characters in the love story are a man named Johan Sovelius (1770–1852), a wealthy businessman who sailed the seas, and his beautiful cousin Catharina (1769–1840), the daughter of the wealthy merchant Baltzar Freitag. From a very young age, these young people were said to have enjoyed each other’s company. The townspeople were anxiously awaiting a big wedding. The wise people knew of course that cousins could not marry but, with the King’s permission, such a thing would be possible. It was known that permission for marriage had been applied for. Both families had influential referees in Stockholm, and it was believed that permission would be obtained. Nevertheless, permission was rejected, but Johan decided to renew his application in person. He sailed to Stockholm, where he was able to present the matter to the King himself, but permission was still not granted. The reason for the rejection is not known. Catharina and Johan pledged eternal faithfulness and did not want to hear of any other marital candidates. There would have been plenty of candidates for both of them, as both families were very well off. Catharina and Johan had these candle holders made for them and decided to burn the candles whenever one of them was really pining for the other. Johan lived in the green Sovelius House, and Catharina lived on the other side of the current Myhrberg Park, then market square, on Brahenkatu. Soon the locals began to see twinkling of the candles from the windows of the opposite houses. Most of the time, they burned at the same time. When one pair of candles was lit, the other was soon seen as well. The purpose of the candles was known to all. The continuation of the romance was followed with emotion and even curiosity.

Petition to the King

When the young King Gustav IV Adolf arrived in Raahe on his visit to Finland in 1802, he was accommodated in the house of Johan Sovelius. The master was reported to have spread a roll of blue broadcloth from the street to his courtyard, so the King would not have to get his shoes dirty. Although Johan certainly entertained the King and his spouse in the best way possible and acted according to all the rules of the art, even then permission was not given.

After the War of Finland, Raahe received information about the new Grand Duke of Finland, who was said to be gentle and understanding. A new application for permission to marry was made, but the decision was once again negative!

Years go by

Life in the small town continued. Johan concentrated on his sizeable business affairs while acting as the town’s alderman. Johan Sovelius grew lonelier and colder year by year. But even in the midst of all the haste, the delicate thoughts would come back to him, and the candles would be lit on his window again, illuminating the uncovered windows and the rooms with their ship paintings. When the candles were also lit next door, there were no curtains in front of the windows there either. Catharina would often place herself by the window, looking thoughtful, at times sitting down to read or sew.

Decades passed. The cousins continued their lonely lives loyal to each other. The flame in Catharina’s candles went out for good in 1840. Lonelier still, almost a recluse, Johan continued his life but did not forget his Catharina. From time to time, Johan’s candles were still seen twinkling and a grey, long-haired man was seen sitting deep in thoughts by his stacks of documents. On a July morning in 1852, Johan was found dead at his window, kneeling. Next to him was the brass candle holder with the candles burned out.

What makes this story particularly unfair is that Johan’s sister Katarina Sovelius (1783–1862) was allowed to marry her cousin Josef Nilsson Sovelius (1777–1827). Katarina’s and Josef’s fathers were brothers Matts Johansson Sovelius (1726–1795) and Nils Johansson Sovelius (1737–1802), and their mothers were sisters Brita (1742–1808) and Elisabeth Possenius (1741–1798). In this union, if anywhere, there was a risk of severe hereditary diseases. Although the siblings Johan and Katarina had quite a large age difference, Katarina married in the early years of the 19th century, around the time when brother Johan was still applying for permission for his own marriage!

The tragic character of Johan still pervades his home, which now hosts the “Shipowner’s Home” and the museum office.