Suomenlinna Sveaborg (Suomenlinna Sea Fortress)

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Description: Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, which was built more than 250 years ago, once had a population of 4600, larger than the population of Helsinki at the time, which totalled just 4200. Construction began off the coast of Helsinki in 1748, when Finland was part of the Swedish Empire and the Swedes built a fortress on the islands as a counter to the increasing Russian naval strength in Kronstadt. In 1808, the fortress surrendered to the Russians, with Finland becoming part of the Russian empire. The fortress was originally called Sveaborg (literally, Sweden’s Fortress), but was renamed Suomelinna (Finland’s Fortress) in 1918, one year after Finland finally gained independence from Russia. Today, the fortress which was transferred to civil administration in 1973 is one of the most important monuments in Helsinki and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also an integral part of the city and home to around 900 inhabitants. Hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to the islands every year to see the impressive fortifications, as well as to enjoy an area of natural beauty. There are a variety of attractions on the islands, including guided walks, the Suomenlinna Museum (with the Suomenlinna Experience multi-media show), the Ehrensvärd Museum, the Doll and Toy Museum, the Manege Military Museum, Submarine Vesikko, the Coast Artillery Museum and the Customs Museum.

Contact Addresses: Suomenlinna Tourist Information, Visitor Centre, Suomenlinna C74, 00190 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: (09) 684 1880. Fax: (09) 668 348. E-mail: matkailu@suomenlinna.fi
Website: www.suomenlinna.fi

Transportation: Air: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Water: Ferry: Ferries leave from the eastern edge of the main market square, Kauppatori. Waterbuses also operate in summer and leave from their own jetty at Market Square. Tickets are sold on the waterbus (journey time: 20 minutes).

Opening Times: Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: Daily 24 hours. Guided Walks: Daily 1030, 1300 and 1500 (Jun-Aug). Coast Artillery Museum: Sat-Sun 1100-1500 (Mar-6 May); daily 1000-1700 (12 May-Aug); daily 1100-1500 (Sep); Sat-Sun 1100-1500 (Oct). Doll and Toy Museum: Sat-Sun 1100-1600 (Mar-12 May); daily 1100-1700 (13 May-Aug); Sat-Sun 1100-1600 (Sep). Ehrensvärd Museum: Sat-Sun 1100-1700 (Mar-Apr); daily 1000-1700 (May-Aug); daily 1100-1700 (Sep); Sat-Sun 1100-1700 (Oct). Suomenlinna Museum: Tues-Sun 1100-1600 (Oct-Apr); daily 1000-1800 (May-Aug); daily 1100-1700 (Sep). Manege Military Museum: Sat-Sun 1100-1500 (Apr-6 May); daily 1000-1700 (12 May-Aug); daily 1100-1500 (Sep); Sat-sun 1100-1500 (Oct). Submarine Vesikko: Daily 1000-1700 (12 May-Aug); daily 1100-1500 (Sep). Customs Museum: Tues-Sun 1200-1700 (Jun-Aug).

Admission Fees: Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: Free. Guided Walks: EUR5/Fmk30 (adult), EUR2.5/Fmk15 (child). Coast Artillery Museum: EUR2/Fmk12 (adult), EUR1/Fmk6 (child). Doll and Toy Museum: EUR5/Fmk30 (adult), EUR3/Fmk18 (child). Ehrensvärd Museum: EUR3/Fmk18 (adult), EUR1/Fmk6 (child). Suomenlinna Museum: EUR5/Fmk30 (adult), EUR2.5/Fmk15 (child). Manege Military Museum: EUR3.5/Fmk21 (adult), EUR1/Fmk6 (child). Submarine Vesikko: EUR3.5/Fmk21 (adult), EUR1/Fmk6 (child). Customs Museum: Free.