SUOMENLINNA (SVEABORG)
Helsinki, Finland
In the 17th century Finland, along with much of the Baltic area was under the control of Sweden, but a series of wars which went disastrously for the Swedes resulted in the Russian border coming very close to Finland and the loss of the Baltic States. Peter the Great moved the Russian Capital to St. Petersburg and suddenly Finland became a frontier of Sweden.
In 1747 the decision was made to fortify the Swedish frontier and to set up a Naval Base in Helsinki, then only a minor town (the capital being Turku (Åbo)). A young Swede Augustin Ehrensvärd came to Finland in January 1748 and construction began of fortifications on the islands in Helsinki's large natural harbour. These fortifications became Sveaborg (Sweden's Fortress) and stretched across a series of islands.
In 1809 the Swede's signed a treaty making Finland an autonomous part of the Russian Empire and the strategic importance of the Gulf of Finland became lessened. The Russian's switched the capital to Helsinki as it was closer to St. Petersburg (Turku being very close to Stockholm by sea).
During the Crimean War the allied forces of the English and French (and unlikely combination!) decided to attack the Russian Empire from the Baltic and during skirmishes Sveaborg was very badly damaged by British fire. After the Crimean War Sveaborg was heavily re-fortified, as it also was during World War I. Towards the end of World War I Finland gained its independence from Russia and Sveaborg became Suomenlinna - "Finland's Castle".
It's earliest history was as a very unpleasant prison for the "Reds" who had lost the battle for independence against the Russians. However, it soon became a Naval Base, which it stayed until 1973. Today the Fortress is a small community in its own right as well as a World Heritage Centre.
Suomenlinna is reached by small ferry from Helsinki and makes a superb and interesting afternoon's outing.
© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions and Andrew J. Müller
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Karoliina Kiianen
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001
