Suomenlinna/Svearborg/Sea Fortress

Former Orthodox church turned into a Lutheran church.
On the island
Veiw of cannons and looking out to sea.
Inside one of the tunnels.

My favorite day in Helsinki was going out to the Sea Fortress. The Sea Fortress is on the World Heritage List to be preserved. It was the Sea Fortress that defended Sweeden, Russia, and Finland at varrious times in different wars. Finland was orriginally part of Sweeden. The Sea Fortress was built as a navy base hundreds of years ago. It was not fully developed until Ehrensvard came and built it up. He built a castle type fort all over the main island, there are 4 conected islands that make up the fortress. The fort goes through rocks, under ground, and above to high look out points. At the south end of the island is the kings gate that was built for the king of Sweeden. It was said that he would come to Suomenlinna to stand at the kings gate and look out over his territory. There was a major battle fought against Napolean at Soumenlinna at which Sweeden was victorious.

Then in 1900 Russia invaded durring the winter. Suomenlinna had never been defeated, but they had also never fought when they were surrounded by ice. Sweeden had let much of the island get in disrepare and Russia was able to easily defeat Sweeden. Russia built an orthodox church on the island and built it up again. Then in 1918 when Lenin took over the USSR he gave Finland, and Suomenlinna, their freedom.

Finland became an independant country for the first time in their history. One of the interesting changes that they made on the island involved the Orthodox Church. They took down the domes to the church and took out all of the icons. They made it into a Lutheran church, Finlands national religion. They also made the top of the church into a lighthouse, the only lighthouse/church in the world. They changed the name of the island to Svearborg. It is still most comonly refered to as Suomenlinna.

Today the island holds the navel accademy of Finland. Other than that it holds 900 residents, many museums, cafes, artist studios, and a lot of history.

I'm sorry I can't give more of the history or facts. It was all very interesting. I can't remember everything.