Introducing Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna, only a 15-minute ferry ride from Helsinki kauppatori, is a very popular day or half-day trip from the city. Set on a tight cluster of islands, this Unesco World Heritage Site (the 'fortress of Finland') was the scene of a major event in Finnish history when the Russians seized it from the Swedes in 1808.
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The fields around Suomenlinna's stone ramparts are a favourite picnicking destination for locals. It's not just a place to visit though - there are many residents, who are wearily accustomed to curious faces peering in their front windows.
Every evening between 5pm and 6pm people gather at Suomenlinna's main quay to wave as the ferries sail through the narrow strait - it's quite a sight.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
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RE: 2 days Helsinki
by johnthefinn 25 May 2012
I see. Something different from theatres and architecture. That's still a little broad, but the top tourist sights in Helsinki are (in…
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RE: 24 Hours in Helsinki
by johnthefinn 02 April 2012
There's no point in being anywhere but the city center. It's a small town and eminently walkable, and the airport is only half an hour…
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Re: Tally Time: World Heritage Sites
by WildRoo 06 March 2012
This is a great thread, I've enjoyed reading through it and I'd like to add to it to keep it going. Here's my list of visited UNESCO sites…
