Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna, known until 1918 as Viapori, known in Swedish as Sveaborg, is a fortress in Finland. It is located on six islands in the sea near Helsinki.
Construction of the fortress started in 1748 when Finland was still part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden wanted to defend the sea areas against Russia. They also needed a place to fix their military ships. In 1808 Russia ruled Finland.[1] They made the fortress stronger to defend Helsinki, which was now the capital of Finland.[2]
In 1917 Finland became independent. In 1918 Viapori was taken over by the new Finnish government and was renamed Suomenlinna ( meaning "Castle of Finland").[1] Some of the islands were used as a navy school. There was also a prison, and prisoners worked to repair the old fortress.[2]
Today, Suomenlinna is one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions.[3] It is only a short ferry ride from Helsinki to visit Suomenlinna.[3] It is a Unesco World Heritage site.[2] It is also a living part of Helsinki city. Around 850 people live there.[2]
Suomenlinna Media
Map of Suomenlinna (Sveaborg)
Map of Sveaborg in the 1790s
Suomenlinna, a fortress near Helsinki, Finland. Picture taken from a ferry.
Augustin Ehrensvärd's grave at Suomenlinna
Kuninkaanportti, The King's Gate
View from Länsi-Mustasaari to Pikku-Mustasaari
A pojama flying the blue naval ensign of the Swedish archipelago fleet in Artilleriviken (Tykistölahti); painting by Adolf Geete, 1760
The guns at Suomenlinna
M/S Mariella passing through the Kustaanmiekka strait after leaving Helsinki for Stockholm
U-Boot Vesikko auf Suomenlinna
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Fortress and history". Suomenlinna Sveaborg. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Fortress of Suomenlinna". Unesco World Heritage Center. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Suomenlinna - The Sea Fortress". VisitFinland.com. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
Other websites
