The Valamo Monastery has developed into a significant centre of orthodox culture in Finland. The monastery was founded on Valamo, the largest island in Lake Ladoga, as early as the 12th century or later in the 14th century by St Sergei and St Herman. The Monastery´s long history has included periods of rapid expansion and times of serious difficulties.

The life of a monastery centers around its churches. The majority of icons and sacramental objects in the monastery´s churches are from the Old Valamo in Lake Ladoga.

For a historical visit through Russia in July 2006 the miracle-working Icon of the Mother of God of Konevets was safeguarded within a HAHN PROTECTOR picture case. After its return from Russia the icon remained inside the HAHN picture case, staying perfectly secured against vandalism, theft and fluctuating ambient climate.

The Monastery is open throughout the year welcoming more than 160.000 visitors annually.

An Icon Conservation Laboratory was founded in 1984, specializing in the conservation of icons and other works of art painted on wood or canvas. The Conservation Centre has arranged numerous international conferences over the years. The last conference took place in Athens in December 2006 under the patronage of the Painting´s Working Group of the Conservation Committee of the International Council of Museums ( ICOM-CC) and the European Centre of Byzantine and Post Byzantine Monuments.

GLASBAU HAHN participated in the international conference with a lecture of the HAHN PROTECTOR case. (Download PDF)