A home at Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site, but also the home of approximately 850 residents throughout the year. The everyday life of the residents at Suomenlinna flows to the rhythm of the surrounding nature and the sea, as well as the changing of the tourist seasons. It gets quieter during the winter, but the sunny days of summer attract numerous visitors to Suomenlinna.

Most residents at Suomenlinna live in flats rented out by the state. The renting is managed by the Governing Body of Suomenlinna. As the only way to get to Suomenlinna is by ferry, the ferry ride is an inseparable part of the everyday life of many residents. The residents have basic services, such as elementary school, day care, church, library, grocery store and a kiosk, all at their disposal on the island. The Rescue Department operates on the island only during the summer season.

The residents of the fortress appreciate the way nature and history have shaped the islands.  Suomenlinna is very much like a small village where everybody knows each other. In 1998, Suomenlinna was chosen the village of the year by the Uusimaa Regional Council. One woman, a resident of Suomenlinna since 1945, describes her home island this way: “This is a very comfortable community. We share our joys and sorrows here. You can be alone if you want, but you won’t feel lonely here. Helpful neighbours and friends is a given at Suomenlinna. We sometimes talk of the disturbance caused by tourists. Young people previously thought there was a party every weekend at Suomenlinna similar to the May Day celebrations. We celebrate that, too – once a year. This is what we share.” (Helsingin sanomat, 15 Dec. 1998)