Unique historical monument
The Suomenlinna sea fortress (Fortress of Finland) is located on a small cluster of inhabited islands just off the Helsinki coast. Built in the 1700s by the Swedish military, who called it Sveaborg, this UNESECO World Heritage site has played a key role in many turning points in Finland’s history, from its rule under the Swedish Crown to its occupation by Russia from the early 1800s until Finnish independence in 1918.
Today it is among the world’s largest maritime fortresses and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Finland. It's easy to spend a half day here, with six musuems in all--including the main Suomenlinna Museum with its fascinating historical exhibits and the last surviving Finnish submarine. There are numerous cafes and restaurants, a variety of old bunkers, fortified walls and tunnels to explore and trails that link the main attractions on the islands. On nice summer days, visitors often find many locals sunbathing and enjoying a picnic on the rocky coastline.
Suomenlinna is accessible by ferry year-round, though many of the museums are only open in summer.
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