War is intrinsically destructive, but paradoxically war can also lead to the creation of things which are subsequently viewed positively, as cultural heritage.

This is the case with the castles and fortresses that have now outlived their military purpose. A very good example of this is the chain of castles and fortresses along the southern coast and eastern border of Finland. Sweden - including Finland - and Russia fought each other for centuries, the by-product of which was those very castles and fortresses. In the same way the Russians built their own fortresses against the west. These fortresses are a good illustration of the history of the art of fortification from the Middle Ages to the early 19th century. But their significance is broader. What makes this fortification chain particularly interesting and in some ways unique is that some of the fortresses built to protect Sweden-Finland against Russia fell under Russian control in the 18th century and were extended to defend the Russians against Sweden. Later the Russians built an extensive fortification chain in south-eastern Finland. And paradoxically it is the fortresses built in south-eastern Finland that are now in the territory of Finland, whilst some of the Swedish fortresses are in the territory of the Russian Federation. Currently, then, both the Russian Federation and Finland are maintaining and looking after not just their own cultural heritage but also that of the other. Thus irrespective of who built part of the fortresses, they have become common cultural heritage. Somewhat rhetorically we can say that the work of peace has triumphed over distant animosity. And that is the very reason why the Castles and Fortifications chain is so well suited as a cultural tourist route. It is a unique demonstration of the shared history of two countries.

The intention is that the Castles and Fortifications cultural route will become part of the Council of Europe's Cultural Routes programme, and at a later stage become a Unesco World Heritage List transboundary serial nomination.

Henrik Lilius
Emeritus state archaeologist