Like something out of a historical film, the Suomenlinna Fortress dates back to the 18th century, and construction of this impressive fortress began in 1748. Constituted by 6 km of defensive walls, a network of 8 islands and nearly 300 buildings, the Suomenlinna Fortress has served three states over the years: The Kingdom of Sweden, the Russian Empire and presently the Republic of Finland.
Revered as one of the most historically significant sites of Finland, the Suomenlinna Fortress was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and remains one of the country’s most popular attractions today. Despite its status as a tourist hotspot, about 800 residents call the fortress their home. With its stunning seaside views and quaint architecture, visitors can expect to spend at least a day properly exploring one of the world’s largest sea fortresses: The photo-perfect island houses a number of walking trails, multiple museums, parks, churches, cafés and restaurants. However, a number of these establishments remain closed over the winter months, so peak visiting season at Suomenlinna Fortress ranges across the warmer summer months.
Getting There
Located about 4 kilometres off the mainland from Finland’s capital Helsinki, Suomenlinna braves the rough Baltic Sea and chilling winds on its own. The most popular and efficient way to get there is by taking a 15 minute ferry ride from the terminal at Market Square, which is right across Helsinki City Hall. Since the ferry is part of the Helsinki transit system, visitors holding a day pass are covered; Alternatively, round-trip tickets for the ferry can be purchased for around EUR 5 on site, from one of the ticketing machines.
The Blue Route
One of, if not the best ways to explore the island fortress is to follow the recommended Blue Route. Once arrived, one can head to the visitor centre to pick up a map of the island. However, the Blue Route is also clearly marked with blue signposts all around the island, so getting lost is not a concern.
Running for about 1.5 kilometres, the route takes the main quay in front of the Jetty Barracks as its starting point, and ends at King’s Gate. Information boards can be found along the route, and contains information about the relevant attractions and their historical significance. Following the route, one will be led past the island’s main attractions, which include Suomenlinna Church, Suomenlinna Museum, the Great Courtyard, Piper’s Park and the fortifications of Kustaanmiekka.
Arriving at King’s Gate, visitors can enjoy picturesque views from the surrounding trails. Marking the gateway to the fortress, King’s Gate was named after the King of Sweden, who had visited Suomenlinna at the time it was built. Here, the waves crash against the rocks, and views of the coastline are unobstructed when admired through the openings of the fortress walls.
The Six Museums
Although there are six museums on the island, not all of them are open throughout the year, with only the Suomenlinna Museum guaranteed to open daily. Museum enthusiasts may want to consider visiting Suomenlinna Fortress during the summer season instead, where most of the museums are in daily operation.
Suomenlinna Museum is the main museum of the fortress, and conveniently located in the visitor centre. The exhibitions revolve around the history of the fortress which dates back over two centuries, and include a featured collection which showcases utensils, tools, weapons and ammunitions which have been uncovered during excavations.
Ehrensvärd Museum retells the history of the fortress under Swedish rule, and is located on the bailey in the official residence of the fortress’s commandments. With a grand collection of 18th century oil paintings, portraits, weapons and even Gustavian furniture, the museum is reminiscent of the beautiful home of Augustin Ehrensvärd, the fortress’s founder.
The Military Museum’s Manege tells the story of the four wars of Finland: The Civil War in 1918, the Winter War in 1939 to 1940, the Continuation War in 1941 to 1944 and the Lapland War in 1944 to 1945. Following that, the exhibition goes on to document the Finnish Defence Forces from the post-war period, until present times.
Submarine Vesikko was used during the Second World War and now, restored, is renowned as one of the island’s most popular attractions. Within the cramped space, a 20-member crew operated from a depth below sea level, and visitors to the museum can experience first-hand how it feels like to live in a submarine.
Housed in a charming wooden villa, the Toy Museum boasts a quirky collection of old dolls, teddy bears and various other antique toys dating back to the 19th century. With a focus on wartime toys and games, the museum is also home to a small souvenir shop offering vintage items from nostalgic times.
The Customs Museum is situated on Susisaari island within the fortress, and features the history of customs and smuggling in Finland. Since the museum is only open in the summer, it also hosts a themed exhibition that changes each year.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are guided tours available on the island fortress; Being a tourist favourite, it’s also recommended to book your tours early, especially in the summer, and to make reservations at restaurants before visiting to avoid disappointment. Take your time wandering through remnant history on this charming island — it’s the best way to catch a break away from the hustle of city life and relentless traffic.
