back to frontpage
Svartholma sea fortress was founded by the Swedes on a small island in the mouth of the Loviisa bay in 1748, as part of a fortification system aimed to secure the eastern border against Russia. Colonel Augustin Ehrensvärd was the planner of Svartholma, as well as Suomenlinna sea fortress outside Helsinki and a land fortress around Loviisa. After Finland became a part of Russia in 1809, Svartholma functioned mainly as a prison. The fortress was blown up by a British naval detachment in 1855, during the Crimean War. Today, the partly restored ruins of Svartholma is a popular tourist site.
87 km from Helsinki
Ferries from Loviisa in summertime
Open daily in summertime for visitors Guided tours and children?s adventures in Finnish, Swedish and English Historical exhibition (free of charge) and summer café Quays for visiting boats, with limited services Also recommended: The ruins of the partly built land fortress of Loviisa, presented along the Ehrensvärd path
