Wolf Skerries

In the fortress of Suomenlinna you can walk all day, in a little more than two you can not even just run through it, not to mention the museums. But I had to get back to the city, so I hurried to the pier, where the ferry was already approaching.

The fortress occupies 7 islands called Wolf skerries (Finnish. Susisaaret, Swedish. Vargskär). The five islands of Kustaanmiekka, Susisaari, Iso-Mustasaari, Länsi-Mustasaari, Pikku-Mustasaari are separated by small straits and connected by bridges and isthmuses. Powerful fortifications and artillery positions were located on these islands.

The other three islands of Särkkä, Lonna and Pormestarinluodot are accessible only by water, and small forts have been built there.

Särkka Island is now home to the Merenkävijät Yacht Club base, a 150-seat hotel and Särkänlinna restaurant.

In addition, there are several small islands around, these are protruding rocks from the water and polished by the glacier, they are also called sheep's foreheads. A group of these islands is called Pormestariluodot.

From the starboard side, you can see the island of Katajanokanluoto, which can be translated as "in front of Katajanokka", in the old days there was a pilot station for escorting ships to the berths of the port of Katajanokka. An authentic pilot house built in 1876 has been preserved on the island. Now there is a cafe Kobben, the island is connected by water bus to Rautentatori Square and is very popular as a holiday destination.

Today, from the ferry, you could admire the classic seventies ocean liner Saga Ruby, standing at the Katayanokka cruise pier.

Then on the left side we pass the island of Ryssansaari, which is 135 meters long and 65 meters wide.

The name probably comes from the old Finnish word "Ryssä", which means "Russian". Why it is so called, now it is impossible to find out, the name Ryssholmen was known even during the Swedish rule.

Fishermen lived on the island, now there is a pier and several buildings of the late nineteenth century, used as cottages.

Several districts of the Finnish capital are located on islands connected to the city by regular ferry service. A regular transport ticket is valid on ferries. Let me remind you once again that Suomenlinna is also a district of Helsinki. In addition, water buses connect the city with numerous holiday destinations located on the islands.

A small tugboat pulls a barge with dirt, probably to strengthen the coastline of one of the islands of the archipelago.

Finally, our ferry enters the mouth of the Southern Harbor, separated from the Wolf Skerries by the islands of Luto and Valkosaari, and this is the end of our brief acquaintance with Suomenlinna. I hope to return here again for a more detailed inspection.