#suomenlinna
The inhabited island fortress of Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland), built by the Swedish Empire in 1748 as a naval station for the Archipelago Fleet during the Russo-Swedish wars. Over the centuries it has served in defence of three nations, and is known in Swedish as ‘Swedish Castle’ and in Russian as 'Russian Castle’.
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sunset through architecture in suomenlinna, helsinki, finland.
canon ae-1 + kodak ultra max 400.
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at Suomenlinna, Helsinki
After a heavy two-day bombardment by British ships - Suomenlinna’s guns didn’t even reach the attacking ships - during the Crimean War, the days of Russia’s regiment were numbered: During the Finnish Civil War in 1918, the fortress served as a prison for POWs; its name was changed to Suomenlinna and as an independent country Finland took over.
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at Ehrensvärdmuseo, Helsinki
Once home to the man responsible for designing and running the fortress, this 18th-century house gives insight into daily life on the island. Ehrensvärd’s tomb sits just outside (first picture).
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at Suomenlinnamuseo, Helsinki
In 1808 the Russians came to Suomenlinna. The besieged commander of the island surrendered when the Russians threatened to bombard civilians - this was the beginning of the over hundred years of Russian ruling in Finland.
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at Suomenlinnamuseo, Helsinki
This museum covers the history of Suomenlinna which was very interesting and gives a good background.
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at Viaporin Telakka, Helsinki
The picturesque shipyard of Suomenlinna that was built since 1750 has a dry dock that holds over 20 boats; these days it’s just used for the maintenance of wooden vessels.
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at Suomenlinnan kirkko, Helsinki
The Russian orthodox church on the island is the only one in the world to double as a lighthouse.
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at Suomenlinna, Helsinki
Suomenlinna was originally built by the Swedes as ‘Sveaborg’in the mid-18th century because they feared a Russian invasion. At this time, Helsinki wasn’t a major town and the fortress itself became one of Finalnd’s largest settlements.
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at Rantakasarmi, Helsinki
At the main quay the pink Jetty Barracks are well-preserved and from the Russian era.
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