At the very heart of the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands its principal historical guardian—the Suomenlinna Museum (Suomenlinna-museo). This is not merely a collection of artifacts but an essential starting point for any visitor wishing to comprehend the grand design and dramatic history of the "Gibraltar of the North."
Museum History: From an Artillery Warehouse to a Heritage Center
The museum is housed in one of the fortress`s oldest buildings—a former artillery warehouse constructed by Russian military engineers between 1868 and 1870 from massive blocks of local granite. The building`s thick walls and vaulted ceilings are themselves the first exhibit, preserving the memory of the imperial period in the fortress`s history.
The museum itself was founded relatively recently, in 1973, but with a profound and important mission. Its establishment was a response to the growing interest in Suomenlinna as a unique monument and symbol of Finland. The museum was tasked with systematizing, preserving, and presenting to the public in an accessible way the three-century history of the fortress, which reflects pivotal turns in the fate of the entire nation.
Collection and Exhibition: An Immersion into Three Epochs
The museum`s exhibition is logically structured according to a chronological principle, guiding visitors through three main periods, each of which left its mark on the stones of Suomenlinna.
1. The Swedish Period (1748–1808): The Construction of the "Swedish Fortress" (Sveaborg).
Here, visitors learn about the grand vision of Augustin Ehrensvärd. Central to the exhibition is an interactive large-scale model of the fortress, clearly demonstrating the genius of the bastion system. Key exhibits include:
• Original 18th-century blueprints and tools.
• Everyday items from the Swedish garrison: uniform buttons, smoking pipes, tableware.
• Models of the ships from the Swedish squadron based in the harbor.
• Paintings and engravings depicting the scale of the construction.
2. The Russian Period (1808–1918): The "Fortress-Arsenal" of the Russian Empire.
The longest period is presented with particular richness. The exhibits tell the story of the fortress`s reconstruction, garrison life, and tragic chapters:
• Unique finds from Russian warships sunk in the harbor.
• Weapons and equipment of Russian soldiers and officers.
• Personal items, photographs, and documents illustrating daily life in the fortress.
A separate section is dedicated to the Crimean War (1855) and the heroic yet devastating bombardment of the fortress by the Anglo-French fleet. Here, you can see deformed cannonballs and shell fragments discovered during excavations.
3. The Finnish Period (from 1918 to the present): From Military Base to Museum.
This part of the exhibition explains how Suomenlinna transformed from a strategic object into a national symbol:
• Exhibits from the time of the Finnish Civil War (1918), when the fortress housed a prisoner-of-war camp.
• Materials from the Second World War, when the fortress served as a submarine base and an anti-aircraft battery site.
• Documents and projects related to the restoration and granting of Suomenlinna the status of a museum-preserve and a UNESCO site.
What Tourists Will See That`s Special:
Short Film "Suomenlinna – The Royal Fortress" (in several languages). This dynamic 25-minute film, shown in a separate screening room, is the perfect introduction. It thrillingly narrates the fortress`s history using computer graphics, historical reenactments, and aerial footage.
• Interactive elements and dioramas that bring the past to life, such as a reconstructed ship`s cabin or gun deck.
• Rotating thematic exhibitions that delve into specific aspects: archaeological finds, the lives of women in the fortress, the history of underwater archaeology in its harbors.
• The atmosphere of the building itself—the somber power of the arsenal`s granite walls, which contrasts perfectly with the modern multimedia presentation.
Practical Visitor Information:
The museum is situated on Iso Mustasaari Island, just steps away from Suomenlinna`s main ferry pier (the T-shaped dock). It is one of the first buildings visitors see upon disembarking.
Visiting the Suomenlinna Museum before exploring the fortress grounds is the key to fully understanding what you will see. After the museum, walking along the bastions and courtyards becomes more than just sightseeing; you will imagine the events and people connected to them.
The Suomenlinna Museum masterfully connects the scale of historical events with human stories. It transforms the fortress from simply picturesque ruins into a living, breathing monument whose history is a reflection of Baltic Sea history and the three nations that shaped it.
