The Jetty Barracks

This pink-plastered barracks is the main gateway to the fortress from Suomenlinna’s Russian era. The Jetty Barracks dominates the northern coast of the fortress.

A stone-built main guard house was planned to be built on the northern coast in the 1850s. The architect Greifon started planning the current Jetty Barracks in 1862, but the vaulted, tin-roofed stone barracks was not built until 1868 to 1870. During peacetime it was meant for 250 soldiers.

A part of the building was used as the main guard house with detention rooms, rooms for the arrested as well as rooms for the guards and the officer on duty. In addition, the barracks includes a kitchen, office, living quarters for the crew and toilet facilities.

The eastern wing of the building houses a recording studio, studios and a kiosk which doubles as a post office. The western wing houses a brewery and a restaurant as well as the Helsinki Artists’ Association’s art gallery, which stages various exhibitions throughout the year.

How to get there

The Helsinki City Transport ferry operates throughout the year and stops in front of the Jetty Barracks.