The shoreline of Suomenlinna (in the distance) with an island in the foreground.
The shoreline of Suomenlinna.
The shoreline of Suomenlinna, with the tower of the (now Lutheran) church over the trees. The church was built during the Russian occupation of Finland and was originally an Orthodox church. Many Finns disliked the ugly (and ubiquitous) onion-shaped dome that originally stood on top of the tower as it marred their beautiful view from Helsinki and so they converted the church to being Lutheran upon independence.
On shore, this bridge leads to the only portion of the island fortress still controlled by the Finnish military.
Outside the cathedral, cannons have been converted to ornaments, Suomenlinna.
Another view of the now-ornamental cannons, Suomenlinna.
The fortress walls, Suomenlinna.
The fortress walls, Suomenlinna - this is a bastion point of the fortress.
One of the remaining original gates to the fortress, Suomenlinna.
The tomb of Augustin Ehrensvard, founder of Suomenlinna - in the background is the building which served as his residence.
The Russian barracks which were added to the fortress during their occupation, Suomenlinna.
The park inside the fortress grounds where the Swedish officers would relax, Suomenlinna. The officers were nobles, thus a beautiful park in the middle of an isolated fortress was a luxury afforded.
The park inside the fortress grounds where the Swedish officers would relax, Suomenlinna.
The park inside the fortress grounds where the Swedish officers would relax, Suomenlinna.
The dry dock where many boats were made for the Swedish and Russian navies during their respective occupations, Suomenlinna.
The dry dock, Suomenlinna - it now houses sailboats during the winter season.
The fortress walls, Suomenlinna.
Kaboom! (Suomenlinna)
Kaboom! (Suomenlinna)
Kaboom! (Suomenlinna)
A bunker and a big gun, Suomenlinna.
Kaboom! (Suomenlinna)
King's Gate, Suomenlinna.
King's Gate, Suomenlinna.
The last Finnish submarine, retired after WWII, Suomenlinna.
A boatyard, for repair, Suomenlinna.
A bird in the grass, Suomenlinna.
A bird in the grass, Suomenlinna.
Looking out of the fortress, Suomenlinna.
Looking back at Helsinki, Suomenlinna.
Lovers on the rocks, Suomenlinna.
The shoreline of Suomenlinna.
Looking SW from Suomenlinna.
A gull, between Suomenlinna and Helsinki.
The Mariella, my overnight vessel, Helsinki harbor.
The Mariella, Helsinki harbor.