Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland
Shot with my phone, indeed, but these sometimes turn out nicely if you know what you're doing

Kahvila ️ #cafe #lightandshadow #suomenlinna #blackandwhite #streetphotography #photography #valokuvataivas

Portti #gate #lightandshadow #suomenlinna #blackandwhite #streetphotography #photography #valokuvataivas

Emmuista keiden kera taannoin jutskattiin täällä #turismi sta ja #liikaturismi sta, ja joku siinä sitten sanoi kauhuissaan, että #Suomenlinna ssa tuijottavat tiemmä ikkunoista sisään ja tulevat pihoille pyörimään, että itse ei sitä kestäisi.

#VanhaPorvoo lainen siihen totesi, että se on aivan arkea täällä meilläkin.

Nämäkin äsken tulivat pihaan, vaikka sekä #Laika, että minä oltiin tässä ihan kujalta asti nähtävissä.

Boat Snatcher

Still Standing

Dry Dock

Water Magic

Ferry Hopping

Had a wonderful time at #Suomenlinna sea fort yesterday. It’s a group of connected islands reached by a short ferry trip from #Helsinki. It is full of old military architecture, a naval academy, museums, places to walk and enjoy summer, and lots of nature.

The geese were so chilled that they walked right up to us with their babies! We sat quietly and watched them. Same with the oystercatchers who normally give humans a wide berth on beaches back home.
#MetRoadTrip #nature #finland #birding

When I first visited sea fortress #Suomenlinna in #Helsinki over 30 years ago, I initially failed to spot the stone tablets near the King's Gate. This was aided by the fact that I was quite oblivious to the historic significance of the place at the time. Those stone tablets were written by Augustin Ehrensvärd, the designer of the fortress, and one of them says:

"Ifrån Ödemarker äro desse Vargskiärsholmar ombytte till ett Sueaborg. Eftervard stå här på egen botn och lita icke på främmande hielp.."

Translated to english: "From desolate lands, these Wolf Islands have been transformed into a Sveaborg (Suomenlinna). Progeny, stand here on your own foundation, and do not rely on foreign help."

Back then #Finland was still firmly part of #Sweden - the fortress was built to defend eastern parts of the kingdom against attacks from Russia. The construction took so long that the fortress was completed only after it (and Finland) was lost to Russia after Finnish War of 1808-1809. One of the 4 tablets has a blank spot for a year King Gustav III was supposed to have laid down the last stone indicating the completion of the fortress. He never made the trip, and thus no date was ever carved.

Victoria, Crown princess of Sweden, is going to visit the island on her state visit to Finland in September 2023. While there are many other places that are also relevant in context of Finland-Sweden relations, Suomenlinna is definitely very significant and fitting place for a visit.

I can highly recommend visiting the island if you’re already visiting Helsinki and your schedule permits it (I would recommend reserving at least half a day). You can go for a picnic (during summertime), grab a beer (or two), or just stroll around and explore the bastions, cannons and tunnels in this definitely historic UNESCO #WorldHeritageSite.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suomenlinna https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuninkaanportti https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/583/ #history