Castles and fortifications
Sites in Finland
Häme castle
Turku castleOlavinlinnaKajaani castleHaminaLappeenrantaLoviisa
- SvartholmaSuomenlinnaTaavettiRuotsinsalmi
- Fort SlavaJärvitaipaleKyminlinnaKärnäkoski
- PartakoskiUttiLiikkala FortThe canals of the Saimaa Fleet
Sites in Russia
Ladoga FortressPskov FortressKaprio FortressIzborg FortressPriozersk FortressVyborg Castle and fortressesVyborg St Anna's CrownNöteborgIvangorod FortressPeter and Paul FortressKronstadt Fortress
Häme castle
The history of Häme (Tavastehus) Castle spans over 700 years, reflected in its red-brick walls and towers, the museums of the region and numerous cultural events.
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The history of Häme (Tavastehus) Castle spans over 700 years, reflected in its red-brick walls and towers, the museums of the region and numerous cultural events.
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Turku
castle
Though walls remain silent, the exhibitions and knights and ladies of the castle guide you to a treasury of Finnish history from the late 13th century until today. Halls, churches, dungeons, museum rooms and many stories.
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Though walls remain silent, the exhibitions and knights and ladies of the castle guide you to a treasury of Finnish history from the late 13th century until today. Halls, churches, dungeons, museum rooms and many stories.
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Olavinlinna
Olavinlinna (Olofsborg) is over 500 years old and is a centre for cultural events, including the Opera Festival.
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Olavinlinna (Olofsborg) is over 500 years old and is a centre for cultural events, including the Opera Festival.
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Kajaani
castle
Sweden founded Kajaani (Kajana) Castle, which is in the medieval-style, in 1604. Following a protracted siege, the castle was forced to surrender in 1716 and the Russians blew it up.
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Sweden founded Kajaani (Kajana) Castle, which is in the medieval-style, in 1604. Following a protracted siege, the castle was forced to surrender in 1716 and the Russians blew it up.
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Hamina
Hamina (Fredrikshamn) is one of the few circular fortresses in the world. The town was founded in 1721 and offers tourists living history and a wide range of culture.
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Hamina (Fredrikshamn) is one of the few circular fortresses in the world. The town was founded in 1721 and offers tourists living history and a wide range of culture.
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Lappeenranta
The Lappeenranta (Villmanstrand) fortress, founded in 1721, has become a living part of the town with a connection to the Saimaa Canal.
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The Lappeenranta (Villmanstrand) fortress, founded in 1721, has become a living part of the town with a connection to the Saimaa Canal.
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Loviisa
- Svartholma
Construction of the fortresses of Loviisa (Lovisa) and Svartholma began in 1747. The ruins of Svartholma, which was blown up in 1855, offer tourism and cultural experiences in summer.
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Construction of the fortresses of Loviisa (Lovisa) and Svartholma began in 1747. The ruins of Svartholma, which was blown up in 1855, offer tourism and cultural experiences in summer.
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Suomenlinna
The sea fortress of Sveaborg, nowadays Suomenlinna, was founded by Sweden in 1747. It is a living part of the city, a cultural centre and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
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The sea fortress of Sveaborg, nowadays Suomenlinna, was founded by Sweden in 1747. It is a living part of the city, a cultural centre and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
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Taavetti
The fortified town of Taavetti was founded in 1773. The fortress was disbanded 30 years later. The northern citadel has been restored as a tourist attraction and event venue.
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The fortified town of Taavetti was founded in 1773. The fortress was disbanded 30 years later. The northern citadel has been restored as a tourist attraction and event venue.
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Ruotsinsalmi
- Fort Slava
The Ruotsinsalmi (Svensksund) sea fortress was built by Russia at the end of the 18th century. It was burned down by the Anglo-French fleet in 1855. The industrial city of Kotka was founded on the ruins in 1879.
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The Ruotsinsalmi (Svensksund) sea fortress was built by Russia at the end of the 18th century. It was burned down by the Anglo-French fleet in 1855. The industrial city of Kotka was founded on the ruins in 1879.
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Järvitaipale
The fort of Järvitaipale was built as part of the defence system for St. Petersburg and has not yet been restored.
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The fort of Järvitaipale was built as part of the defence system for St. Petersburg and has not yet been restored.
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Kyminlinna
Russia constructed Kyminlinna Fortress twice (1791 and 1803) to stop the eastward advance of the Swedes. Kyminlinna is now being opened for tourism and cultural activities.
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Russia constructed Kyminlinna Fortress twice (1791 and 1803) to stop the eastward advance of the Swedes. Kyminlinna is now being opened for tourism and cultural activities.
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Kärnäkoski
- Partakoski
The fort of Kärnäkoski was built in 1791 as part of the defence system for St. Petersburg. The renovated fort has an air of nature and peace.
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The fort of Kärnäkoski was built in 1791 as part of the defence system for St. Petersburg. The renovated fort has an air of nature and peace.
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Utti
The Utti Fort was built by the Russians in the place where they defeated the Swedes led by Gustav III in 1789. The Utti airfield and aviation museum are located close to the renovated fort.
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The Utti Fort was built by the Russians in the place where they defeated the Swedes led by Gustav III in 1789. The Utti airfield and aviation museum are located close to the renovated fort.
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Liikkala Fort
Liikkala Fort was built in 1791 – 1792 as part of the fortification chain protecting St. Petersburg. The ramparts of the fort are a prominent feature in the surrounding village landscape.
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Liikkala Fort was built in 1791 – 1792 as part of the fortification chain protecting St. Petersburg. The ramparts of the fort are a prominent feature in the surrounding village landscape.
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The canals of the Saimaa Fleet
The main bases of the Russia's Saimaa Fleet in the late 18 th century were Lappeenranta and Savonlinna. Four lockless canals were built to link these bases.
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The main bases of the Russia's Saimaa Fleet in the late 18 th century were Lappeenranta and Savonlinna. Four lockless canals were built to link these bases.
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Old Ladoga Fortress
Old Ladoga, on the River Volkhov, near Viking routes, is the product of many centuries of construction work. Excavations and restoration work are currently taking place on the site.
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Old Ladoga, on the River Volkhov, near Viking routes, is the product of many centuries of construction work. Excavations and restoration work are currently taking place on the site.
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Pskov Fortress
A city from the 15th and 16th centuries is recognizable within the ring structure of the Pskov fortress, which is situated at the junction of two rivers. Several monasteries and fortresses, which are also well worth visiting, can be found in the surroundings.
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A city from the 15th and 16th centuries is recognizable within the ring structure of the Pskov fortress, which is situated at the junction of two rivers. Several monasteries and fortresses, which are also well worth visiting, can be found in the surroundings.
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Koporye Fortress
The present fortress was built on rocky ground at the end of the 13th century and its shape has to a large extent been determined by the form of the terrain. The Koporye fortress is well preserved and the fortification museum has been open to visitors since 2001.
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The present fortress was built on rocky ground at the end of the 13th century and its shape has to a large extent been determined by the form of the terrain. The Koporye fortress is well preserved and the fortification museum has been open to visitors since 2001.
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Izborsk
Fortress
The town, which with its 14th century fortifications is among the oldest in Russia, forms a unique whole with the beautiful surrounding landscape. Restoration work on the fortifications has recently restarted after an interruption, and the local museum organizes a variety of activities.
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The town, which with its 14th century fortifications is among the oldest in Russia, forms a unique whole with the beautiful surrounding landscape. Restoration work on the fortifications has recently restarted after an interruption, and the local museum organizes a variety of activities.
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Priozersk
Fortress
The ancient Karelian fortress was built at the mouth of the River Vuoksi at the latest in the mid-13th century. At the end of the 18th century Korela (later Priozersk) was a part of the defence system of St. Petersburg.
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The ancient Karelian fortress was built at the mouth of the River Vuoksi at the latest in the mid-13th century. At the end of the 18th century Korela (later Priozersk) was a part of the defence system of St. Petersburg.
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Vyborg
Castle and fortresses
Vyborg Castle represents a type of fortification that is rare in Russia. Since its founding in 1293, ownership of the castle has transferred back and forth between Sweden, Russia and Finland.
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Vyborg Castle represents a type of fortification that is rare in Russia. Since its founding in 1293, ownership of the castle has transferred back and forth between Sweden, Russia and Finland.
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Vyborg
St Anna's Crown
The bastion fortress, built mainly between 1731 and 1740, is situated north of the island on which Vyborg Castle is situated. The fortress avoided siege and is therefore generally well preserved.
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The bastion fortress, built mainly between 1731 and 1740, is situated north of the island on which Vyborg Castle is situated. The fortress avoided siege and is therefore generally well preserved.
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Oreshek
There was a fortress on the island of Orekhovy already in the middle ages. The stone fortress was enlarged in the 16th century. After Peter the Great captured the island in the beginning of the 18th century, the Oreshek fortress underwent many changes. The fortress is continuously being studied and restored.
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There was a fortress on the island of Orekhovy already in the middle ages. The stone fortress was enlarged in the 16th century. After Peter the Great captured the island in the beginning of the 18th century, the Oreshek fortress underwent many changes. The fortress is continuously being studied and restored.
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Ivangorod
Fortress
The Ivangorod fortress, founded in 1492, is situated on the eastern bank of the River Narova, opposite the older Livonian fortress of Narva. Both fortresses still stand as landmarks on different sides of the state border. Visitors are offered exhibitions on history and military architecture.
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The Ivangorod fortress, founded in 1492, is situated on the eastern bank of the River Narova, opposite the older Livonian fortress of Narva. Both fortresses still stand as landmarks on different sides of the state border. Visitors are offered exhibitions on history and military architecture.
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Peter
and Paul Fortress
The basic structure of the Peter and Paul fortress was created under Domenico Trezzi in 1705-1732. Later the fortress underwent many changes but still retained its position as the core of St. Petersburg. Among the key sights of the fortress is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the construction of which began in 1712.
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The basic structure of the Peter and Paul fortress was created under Domenico Trezzi in 1705-1732. Later the fortress underwent many changes but still retained its position as the core of St. Petersburg. Among the key sights of the fortress is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the construction of which began in 1712.
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Kronstadt Fortress
The construction of Kronstadt, founded in 1704 on the island of Kotlin, began with an artillery tower and two batteries, but at its height the fortification complex comprised in total of as many as 23 forts. Apart from the architecture, visitors are attracted by the revolutionary history of the place.
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The construction of Kronstadt, founded in 1704 on the island of Kotlin, began with an artillery tower and two batteries, but at its height the fortification complex comprised in total of as many as 23 forts. Apart from the architecture, visitors are attracted by the revolutionary history of the place.
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