Hidden Gems of Finnish Archipelago

The Archipelago Sea of Finland contains the one of the largest archipelagos in the world by the number of islands. The typically Swedish-speaking beautiful nature is scattered by many historic sights from medieval churches to wooden architecture, lighthouses and sea fortresses.

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna ("Sveaborg", "Viapori") sea fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Finland’s most popular tourist attractions. The construction of the fortress started by the king of Sweden in 1748 as protection against Russian expansionism.

Bengtskär Lighthouse

Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm.

Svartholma Fortress

Svartholma sea fortress was built by Swedish in the 18th century. Svartholma and near Loviisa land fortress were designated to defence strategic road from Turku tu Viborg and Sweden-Finland's eastern border against Russians. Svartholma construction started in 1748 and it was mostly completed in the 1760's.

Korppoo Church

The Korppoo Church was erected probably between years 1430 and 1440. It represents the oldest church architecture in Finland. Good example of this is the stone tower, which was probably built for defensive purposes, not for belfry.

Seili

Seili (Själo in Swedish) is a small island in the Archipelago Sea. The island is known for its church and nature, a research institute and a former hospital. The first hospital on Seili was established in the 1620s.

Pyhämaa Churches

The Sacrification Church of Pyhämaa was built in 1642-1650. It’s one of the oldest still existing wooden churches in Finland. Inside the church the walls are decorated with paintings (made in the 17th century) relating to biblical events. Next to the Sacrification Church is the New Church of Pyhämaa, which was built of stone in 1804.

Söderlångvik

Söderlångvik has been inhabited since the early 16th century. In the past it frequently changed hands. Owners in the sixteenth century were called de Jonsson or Jönsson, in the 17th century Michelsson, Tomasson, Sigfridsson and Faxell-Cronmarck.

Hauensuoli

The island of Gaddtarmen (Hauensuoli, The Pike´s Gut) off Hanko forms a natural harbour on a sailing route in the east-west direction. Sailors have made more than 600 carvings on the rocks while awaiting favourable winds. The oldest drawings date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Most of the carvings decpict coats of arms of Swedish and Finnish gentry.

Maakalla Church

Maakalla and Ulkokalla islands have been important fisheries since the 16th century. The simple wooden church was built in 1780 and is still used for weddings and worships.