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Suomenlinna facts for kids

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Suomenlinna
Sveaborg
Suomenlinna aerial.JPG
An aerial view of Suomenlinna
Location Helsinki, Finland
Official name: Fortress of Suomenlinna
Type Cultural
Criteria iv
Designated 1991 (15th session)
Reference no. 583
State Party Finland
Region Europe and North America

Suomenlinna (also called Viapori in Finnish) is a fortress in Finland. It is located on six islands in the sea near Helsinki.

Construction of the fortress started in 1748 when Finland was still part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden wanted to defend the sea areas against Russia. They also needed a place to fix their military ships. In 1808 Russia ruled Finland. They made the fortress stronger to defend Helsinki, which was now the capital of Finland.

In 1917 Finland became independent. In 1918 Viapori was taken over by the new Finnish government and was renamed Suomenlinna ( meaning "Castle of Finland"). Some of the islands were used as a navy school. There was also a prison, and prisoners worked to repair the old fortress.

Today, Suomenlinna is one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions. It is only a short ferry ride from Helsinki to visit Suomenlinna. It is a Unesco World Heritage site. It is also a living part of Helsinki city. Around 850 people live there.

Images for kids

  • Map of Sveaborg at the 1790s

    Map of Sveaborg in the 1790s

  • Ehrensvärd's Grave

    Augustin Ehrensvärd's grave at Suomenlinna

  • View from Länsi-Mustasaari

    View from Länsi-Mustasaari to Pikku-Mustasaari

  • Guns of Suomenlinna

    Guns of Suomenlinna

  • Adolf Geete-pojama at Sveaborg-1760

    A pojama flying the blue naval ensign of the Swedish archipelago fleet in Artilleriviken (Tykistölahti); painting by Adolf Geete, 1760.

  • Russian 6 inch 35 caliber gun 1877 on Suomenlinna

    Russian 6 inch 35 caliber naval gun 1877

  • Mariella Kustaanmiekka

    M/S Mariella passing through the Kustaanmiekka strait after leaving Helsinki for Stockholm

  • The Suomenlinna prison, Helsinki, Finland

    The Suomenlinna prison, Helsinki, Finland

  • Suomenlinnaferry

    The M/S Suomenlinna II transports residents, tourists and vehicles to and from the harbour at Suomenlinna

  • Suomenlinna, enter to the tunnel from island side

    Suomenlinna, enter to the tunnel from island side

  • Suomenlinna Tunnels

    The tunnels at Suomenlinna

  • Panorama cropped

    View of the partially frozen Baltic from one of the islands facing west. Part of Helsinki can be seen at the far right.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Suomenlinna para niños

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