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Introducing Hamina
With its strict and unusual octagonal plan, you can really feel that Hamina (Swedish: Fredrikshamn) was once a fortress rather than a town. This pleasant harbourside spot, still home to some soldiery, seems a little empty without its garrison, and more preoccupied with invasions of Russian shoppers than the Red Army! The border is just 40km away. With a couple of good museums and a pleasant small-town atmosphere, Hamina makes an intriguing place to stop, and its network of beds in local homes is a good chance to experience Finnish hospitality.
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Hamina was founded in 1653, when Finland was part of Sweden. The crumbling fortifications that surround it were begun by panicky Swedes in 1722 after Vyborg fell to Russia. Their fears were justified, but their efforts in vain - shortly afterwards the Russians marched in and took Hamina, too.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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