Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
one in the world to double as a lighthouse.
A blue-signposted walking path connects the main attractions. By the bridge that con-
nects Iso Mustasaari and the main island, Susisaari-Kustaanmiekka, is
Suomenlinna-
Sep)
, a two-level museum covering the history of the fortress. It's very information heavy,
but the first part gives good background. There's also an audiovisual display. Guided
walks from here (adult/child €10/4) run in English three times daily from June to August,
and 1.30pm Saturday and Sunday the rest of the year.
Suomenlinna's most atmospheric part is on Kustaanmiekka at the end of the blue trail.
Exploring the old bunkers, crumbling fortress walls and cannons lets you appreciate the
fortress, and there are plenty of grassy picnic spots. Monumental
King's Gate
was built in
1753-54. In summer you can get the JT-Line waterbus back to Helsinki from here, saving
you the walk back to the main quay.
Several other museums dot the islands. Perhaps the most interesting is
Ehrensvärd-
home to the man responsible for designing and running the fortress. An attractive 18th-
century house, it holds numerous portraits, prints and models giving an insight into daily
life on the island. Ehrensvärd's elaborately martial tomb sits outside, and opposite is
Viaporin Telakka, a picturesque
shipyard
where sailmakers and other workers have been
building since the 1750s. The dry dock holds up to two dozen boats; these days it's used
for the maintenance of wooden vessels.
11am-6pm May-Sep)
is the only WWII-era submarine remaining in Finland. It saw action
against the Russians. It's fascinating to climb inside and see how it all worked. Needless to
say, there's not much room to move.
11am-6pm early May-Sep)
, with a comprehensive overview of Finnish military hardware from
bronze cannon to WWII artillery. Quite a contrast is nearby
Lelumuseo
(Toy Museum;
GOOGLE MAP
;
www.lelumuseo.fi
;adult/child €6/3; 10am or 11am to 5pm or 6pm mid-May-mid-
Sep)
, a delightful collection of hundreds of dolls and teddy bears. The cafe serves delicious
home-baked cakes under a line of samovars.
