Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Svartholma Sea Fortress
FORTRESS
Situated 10km offshore from Loviisa, this four-bastion sea fortress was built in 1748 to
protect against further Russian invasion after Swedish losses in eastern Finland. It lasted
until the Crimean War (1853-56) when the British largely destroyed it, but it has been re-
constructed. A free museum details the fort's history; there's a cafe here.
A
waterbus
( 0500-102-111;adult/child return €15/7.50; 11am, 1pm & 3pm Tue-Sun mid-
Jun-mid-Aug, 11am, 1pm & 3pm Sat & Sun mid-Aug-late Aug)
, taking 35 minutes (cash only),
runs from Laivasilta Marina. Alternatively, the beautiful 19th-century replica yacht
Öster-
Loviisa Church
CHURCH
( 11am-4pm Mon-Sat early May-early Aug)
Dominating the market square is the red-brick neo-Gothic Loviisa Church, built in 1865.
Loviisa Town Museum
MUSEUM
( 019-555-357;Puistokatu 2; 11am-4pm Tue-Sun Jun-Aug, noon-4pm Tue-Fri & Sun Sep-May)
About 200m north of the town square, Loviisa Town Museum is set in an old manor house
with three floors of interesting historical exhibits, particularly the exhibition on Jean Si-
belius, who spent his childhood summer holidays at Sibeliuksenkatu 10.
Festivals & Events
Sibelius Festival
MUSIC
( 019-555-499;
www.loviisansibeliuspaivat.fi
;tickets €20-25)
Loviisa's biggest annual event is the Sibelius Festival around early September, which fea-
tures a weekend of Sibelius performances.
Sleeping & Eating
Accommodation in Loviisa is limited but the wonderful
Sea Hotel Mäntyniemi
is less than
half-an-hour's drive southwest.
