Suomenlinna Fortress (Finland)

Suomenlinna (Swedish: Sveaborg) is a sea fortress located off Helsinki. As a historical monument and attraction, its cultural value is significant, and it is a strong part of Helsinki's identity. The construction of Suomenlinna started in 1748 and until 1918 it was known in Finnish as Viapor, based on its Swedish name Sveaborg. Suomenlinna was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. Suomenlinna is a district of Helsinki where about 800 people live.

Suomenlinna is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Finland. In 2019, the fortress was visited by around one million visitors. Various neighborhood and cultural events are organized in Suomenlinna throughout the year. There are many cafes and restaurants located on the islands.

Suomenlinna is renovated and maintained by the Suomenlinna Management Board, which is a state agency under the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Nowadays, the only military institution on the islands is the Naval Academy located in Pikku Mustasaari. Suomenlinna prison, established in 1971, is located at the southern tip of Iso Mustasaari, under the authority of the Criminal Sanctions Department. A key part of the repair work on walls, ramparts and buildings is done as prisoner work. The prison has places for about 100 prisoners.

The bastion fortress is located on six of the eight islands in the Suomenlinna district. The main fortress was built in Susisaari. The southern fortress of Susiluoto was named Kustaanmieka in 1749. The smaller islands are Pikku Mustasaari, Länsi-Mustasaari and Särkkä. The largest is Iso Mustasaari. Kustaanmiekka , Susisaari , Iso Mustasaari , Pikku Mustasaari and Länsi-Mustasaari are connected by bridge or isthmus. The strait that once existed between Susisaari and Kustaanmieka has been bridged. On the east side of the group formed by these islands is the Kustaanmiekka Strait and on the west side the Särkänsalmi, which are the most important from the open sea to Helsinki Ship canals leading to Kruunuvuorenselka and Eteläsatama. The land area of Suomenlinna is 2.21 square kilometers.