Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(stocked at the Helsinki TI, ferry terminal, and the visitors center) covers the island thor-
oughly.
Cost and Hours:
Visitors center-free, Suomenlinna Museum-€6.50, both open daily
May-Sept 10:00-18:00, Oct-April 10:30-16:30, tel. 09/684-1850,
www.suomenlinna.fi
.
The island has several skippable smaller museums, including a toy museum and several
military museums (€3-4 each, open summer only).
Suomenlinna Timeline
1748
—Construction began.
1788
—The fort was used as a base for a Swedish war against Russia.
1808
—It was surrendered by Sweden to Russia.
1809
—Finland became part of the Russian Empire and the fort was used as a Russian
garrison for 108 years.
1855
—French and British navies bombarded the fort during the Crimean War, inflict-
ing heavy damage.
1917
—Finland declared independence.
1918
—The fort was annexed by Finland and renamed Suomenlinna.
1939
—The fort served as a base for the Finnish navy.
