Day #2 in Helsinki

On our second and last day in Helsinki we decided that priority #1 should be a short ferry ride to the island of Suomenlinna—made famous initially as an 18th century fortress to defend Swedish Finland against a Russian attack. (Hundreds of cannons and thick stone ramparts appeared to be invincible against an assault from the sea; however, a Russian attack in the dead of winter—when the sea was frozen—led to the surrender of the fortress and the incorporation of Swedish Finland as a “Grand Duchy” in the Russian Empire in 1808.)

On the island we encountered the largest lilac bushes we’d ever seen and were serenaded by a military band as we toured the island. The Visitors Center gave us the whole scope of Finnish history which was complemented by an hour-long walking tour during which our young guide spoke flawless English.
After the visit to Suomenlinna we took the tram to the “Mannerheim Museum” where we learned the whole history of national hero, Marshall Mannerheim, undoubtedly the one individual not only most responsible for Finnish Independence from Russia after the 1917 Revolution, but also for maintaining the integrity of Finland by placating-and-betraying both Hitler and Stalin during World War 2. (Mannerheim lived into his 80’s and died in 1951 after serving one term as President of Finland.) - rw