Finland

Finnish Humor

I loved the cigar!

Beatiful Old Door in Helsinki

Old Helsinki Apartment Building

Vanha Kauppahalli Indoor Farmers Market

Helsinki

Vanha Kauppahalli Indoor Farmers Market

Farmer of a different type :-)

Vanha Kauppahalli Indoor Farmers Market

Uspenski Cathedral

An Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Helsinki, Finland, dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary). Main cathedral of the Finnish Orthodox Church in the diocese of Helsinki, Uspenski Cathedral is claimed to be the largest orthodox church in Western Europe.

Warm Colors of the Approaching Sunset on the Helsinki Skyline

Helsinki

Helsinki Harbor Waterfront

Part of Suomenlinna Fort

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Originally named Sveaborg (Fortress of Svea), or Viapori as called by Finnish-speaking Finns, it was renamed Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) in 1918 for patriotic and nationalistic reasons, though it is sometimes known by its original name. The Swedish crown commenced the construction of the fortress in 1748 as protection against Russian expansionism.

Suomenlinnan Bunker Door

Inside a Suomenlinna Bunker

The plan was also to stock munitions for the whole Finnish contingent of the Swedish Army and Royal Swedish Navy there. In the Finnish War the fortress surrendered to Russia on May 3, 1808, paving the way for the occupation of Finland by Russian forces in 1809.

Suomenlinnan Fort Exterior Wall

Exterior Fort wall with gun slits

Looking out to the Baltic Sea from Suomenlinnan

View the defenders would have had of any approaching attacks

Homes on Suomenlinnan

Old Ship Drydocked on Suomenlinnan

On the Road to Savonlinna

With the Russian border <10km away... an example of the simpily designed and beatifully maintained Finnish countryside home and barn

Finnish Barn and Root Cellar

Eastern Finland near the Russian border

Savonlinna Waterfront

Sunset over Savonlinna Waterfront

How Far from Savonlinna ?

Viipuri is Vyborg, Russia and Pietari is St. Petersberg

Olavinlinna Castle Wall Iron Reinforcements

Savonlinna

Olavinlinna Castle Tower

Savonlinna

Interior of Wood Roof on Olavinlinna Tower

Savonlinna

Panimoravintola Huvila in Savonlinna

Best food and beer on our entire trip!