Sveaborg i Helsingfors - sjöfästning med svensk historia

The Suomenlinna sea fortress in Helsinki is an exciting historical attraction, offering a large dose of Swedish, Russian and Finnish history. Boats run regularly from Helsinki to the fortress, and we spent several hours here yesterday in the gloriously cold winter weather.

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By boat to Suomenlinna in Helsinki

Suomenlinna, or Suomenlinna as the fortress is called in Finnish, is located on a number of interconnected islands about 15 minutes outside Helsinki by boat. Even in winter, the boat runs regularly once or twice an hour from the Market Square.

We walked here from the railway station (where we locked our suitcases) and quickly and easily bought a ticket from a machine on the quayside. Along with some Finns and a bunch of well-furred Asians, we then set out to sea.

Yesterday offered both cold and sunshine, and it was really beautiful to glide by boat through the winter landscape. We drove past islets and islands, beautiful wooden houses and large Finnish ferries, before it was time to dock at Suomenlinna.

A Swedish fortress ... that became Russian ... that became Finnish

Sweden: When construction of Suomenlinna in Helsinki began by Augustin Ehrensvärd in 1748, Finland was part of Sweden. Two years later, King Fredrik I of Sweden named the fortress Suomenlinna, and in 1788 the fortress was put to the test as a base for Sweden's naval war against Russia. During the Swedish period, the nobility hung out on the islands, and exclusive parties took place.

Russia: During the Finnish War of 1808, Suomenlinna was forced to surrender to the Russian army, and the following year Finland became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire. The fortress then became a Russian naval base for 110 years.

It was most dramatic in 1855, during the Crimean War, when the Anglo-French fleet bombarded the fortress from 70 attacking ships. Suomenlinna's old cannons could not even fire enough to reach the ships, and the fortress could not even attempt to return fire.

Finland: In 1918, Suomenlinna in Helsinki was incorporated into the territory of the Finnish state and became known as Suomenlinna, 'Finland's castle'. The Finnish Civil War raged and the fortress was used as a prison camp for the 'Reds'. During this period, many prisoners died on the island because they were executed or due to starvation and disease.

During World War II, the fortress was used as a base for coastal artillery and air defence, and it was only in 1973 that the military moved out of the area. In 1991, the fortress was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique monument of military architecture.

Attractions at Suomenlinna

You can easily spend a day at Suomenlinna in Helsinki. You can walk around for a long time, and if you take the "blue route" it is a 1.5 kilometre walk in each direction from and back to the boat. Once ashore, there is an information centre where you can pick up a map.

The map shows all the points of interest. For example, you pass the church that was built as an Orthodox garrison church in 1854, but was converted into a Lutheran church in the 1920s. The church tower houses a lighthouse that is still used by air and sea traffic!

You'll also pass the Suomenlinna Shipyard, one of the world's oldest dry docks still in operation and, in its day, the largest in the world. Ships for the navy were built here in the 1760s under the direction of Swedish naval architect Af Chapman. Today, older ships are repaired here.

Other attractions include the large courtyard, where you can see Ehrensvärd's impressive grave monument, and Gustavssvärd, with all the sand ramparts and cannons used by the Russians in the latter part of the 19th century.

At the end of the walk you will come to the King's Gate, which was built as a ceremonial gate to the fortress in 1753-1754. The gate is built on the site where the King of Sweden, Adolf Fredrik, docked his ship in 1752 to see the progress of the construction of Suomenlinna.

Museums and restaurants

There are several museums in the area, at least two of which were open during the winter. We checked out the Suomenlinna Museum, which showed a really good film about the history of Suomenlinna. We also checked out the War Museum, which took us back to all the tough years in Finnish history.

In the summer there are also several museums open: a toy museum, a customs museum and a museum about Ehrensvärd and a submarine. There are also a whole bunch of restaurants and cafés on the island, and we had two cups of coffee to warm us up in the biting cold.

A lovely day in Helsinki

We had a really lovely and interesting day at Suomenlinna in Helsinki yesterday, despite lots of traffic. problems with our hotel booking. Today it is time for what is our real reason for visiting Helsinki, namely the great Matka travel fair.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

There is of course plenty to see and what to do in Helsinki, which is a lovely city in both winter and summer. Below you will find even more tips for Finland.

Have you visited Suomenlinna?

Have you also visited Suomenlinna? Tell us about it!

Facts about Suomenlinna in Helsinki

Opening hours: The fortress is open all year round, and you can check the exact opening hours on the website. Around half of the museums and restaurants are open all year round.
Prices: The HSL ferry costs EUR 10 for a day ticket (2019). The fortress and sights are free, but the museums charge admission. The Suomenlinna Museum costs €8 and the War Museum costs €7 (2019).
Service: There are several restaurants and cafes, a grocery store, tourist information centre and hostels.
More info: More information can be found at The fortress website.

Journey to Suomenlinna in Helsinki

Ferry: Throughout the year, you can travel by HSL ferry from Market Square, in front of the Presidential Palace.
Water bus: During the summer, the JT-lines water bus also runs from the Cruise Quay on Market Square. The journey takes 15-20 minutes.

12 Comments

Add yours →

Hanna says:

Not only visited many times, but also got married in the church and celebrated a wedding party in a venue on the island. Even we Finns love Suomenlinna and it's a must to visit at least once a year, preferably in summer of course.

17 January 2019 - 7:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  But oh how fun with weddings in the church and everything! 🙂
  
  17 January 2019 - 13:34
  
Emma, sun like sun? says:

Really like the first photo with Helena! Looks like she has a skirt on, haha! The gate is really magnificent.

Never been there, looks very nice. I'm impressed with how much can fit on the island.

17 January 2019 - 9:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, I actually had a skirt, but maybe not like that 😉 Yes, there is a lot on the islands!
  
  17 January 2019 - 13:35
  
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Let's face it and admit that we have never been to that side of the Baltic Sea, neither in Finland, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania. We probably live on the wrong side of Sweden, but the advantage is that we have many destinations to explore in the future....

17 January 2019 - 9:26

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  No need to be ashamed of that, I think. But just as you say, a lot of nice things left to explore! 🙂
  
  17 January 2019 - 13:47
  
BP says:

A lovely and interesting post with great pictures! Have seen the fortress many times, but never visited it. So now I had to do it:-)

17 January 2019 - 16:42

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you liked it! It was a nice visit! 🙂
  
  18 January 2019 - 5:15
  
Lena - good for the soul says:

It seems like a big island there, with all the museums! Exciting place with a lot of history.

Hug Lena

17 January 2019 - 19:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Indeed! Interesting to make an excursion here! 🙂
  
  18 January 2019 - 5:16
  
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Interesting history! I have actually never been to Finland at all. Sometime you have to go there! But I never go by ferry...;D ps: What lovely jackets you have!!!

17 January 2019 - 20:22

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Sometimes you miss the closest thing 😉 And thank you, we bought the jackets last autumn in Brussels! 🙂
  
  18 January 2019 - 5:18

Suomenlinna in Helsinki - sea fortress with Swedish history

By boat to Suomenlinna in Helsinki

A Swedish fortress ... that became Russian ... that became Finnish

Attractions at Suomenlinna

Museums and restaurants

A lovely day in Helsinki

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Have you visited Suomenlinna?

Facts about Suomenlinna in Helsinki

Journey to Suomenlinna in Helsinki

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12 Comments

Hanna says:

Helena says:

Emma, sun like sun? says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

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