Fort for three

Before you start talking about our trip to Tampere, I decided to tell you about Helsinki Suomenlinna fortress and the museum of old toys, which we visited there. In Suomenlinna, we visited at the very end of our trip, after returning from Sweden. But I think that nothing terrible would be if I was a little change course.

 On Suomenlinna we went to Market Square in Helsinki. It was here all year round ferries depart to the castle. Getting there is not the water is not real. The fortress is situated on a group of islands a few kilometers from the coast.
True, in the summer to go to Suomenlinna more excursion boats, which you can buy tickets to any interested person at the box office again at the Market Square. But at the end of September, these boats have not been, and ferries in spite of all guide books and information from the Internet is no longer went every 20 minutes, and once in 40 minutes. But it does not matter. Just 40 minutes was enough for us then to taste sold at tents on Main Market Square, smelt and salmon with potatoes, which had almost had to share with local gulls - so they were here insolent.
The ferry was a small boat with two decks: an open and closed. That day was no longer hot, so I sat on the covered deck closer to the battery.
But Anton went to the open deck to remove species that are out consistently excellent.
I must say that although the fortress of Suomenlinna in 1991 became a UNESCO World Heritage List in its territory, still standing houses, and the area is considered part of Helsinki. In general, we, of course, first a little surprised that the ferry ehalo few cars, but when we learned about these features of the fortress, then wonder no longer.
After 20 minutes we were already in place.
Suomenlinna was built in the mid 18 th century. At that time Finland was part of Sweden, the fortress was to defend its borders, and called at the time of the Swedish fashion Sveaborg. But after Finland became part of Russia, and Sveaborg with her. It is located at 108 years the Russian garrison. Its present name as Suomenlinna was in 1918, six months after Finland declared its independence. By the way, now it is, oddly enough, is called differently, and even on the ferry, written by two names: the Suomenlinna and Sveaborg.
In general, the surprising thing: on the one hand, I would not say that today the fortress is completely okommertsilializovalas, on the other, the first thing we have seen here - is a whole bunch of built specifically for tourists and restaurants.
Tourists, by the way, is not enough. Only with us on the ferry came about fifty Chinese. But you will agree, the name of the cafe "Vanilla" as something not very compatible with powerful defensive walls, standing around with guns and warships at the pier.
However, nothing against the cafe, as well as against others, I have no idea. Surely they have very tasty food.
Well, we did not go into edalni and left to roam the castle. The walls of the large granite boulders, we saw almost immediately.
Once they are a strong fortifications, now talked a lot about what the defense has long been in the past. In some places near the walls were benches for rest.
In other settled areas for picnics in the third around the walls of the inhabitants of Suomenlinna organized drying - fix the poles and stretched the rope.
So, perhaps, the former strength of the fortress can be felt, if only to wander on its military moves, located right in the walls.
Stumbled upon them accidentally. One side of the gate suddenly discovered the door, we went in and ... were in almost total darkness. Only from the battlements of openings was a little light. Experiences have been like if we got into a dungeon. New and unusual!
In general, the Suomenlinna reminded us a sort of town. Here were your streets, bridges, squares and even a church.
The most important area since 1760-ies there was considered the Castle yard. Its founder was designed Sumenlinny Ernesvyard Augustine, who, incidentally, is buried here. The yard is very pretty and no longer even resembles melenky public garden.
As for the church, its like the Orthodox Church of St. Alexander Nevsky was erected here for the Russian garrison in 1854. But when Finland gained its independence, the church was rebuilt in the Evangelical Lutheran. Now next to it is a stand where you can see the old photos. For them the church looks very pretty - with a cross, with cupolas cupolas, in general, as befits all Orthodox churches. Now, her no no domes, the church seems to be very modest and simple, and her only ornament is a beacon on the roof ... In my opinion, even the Finns now regret about such "reconstruction".
Well, finally, one more interesting building in the castle - it's dry dock. If desired, the document can come and inspect it in detail.
Amazingly, despite the fact that he is considered one of the oldest dry dock in the world and has existed since the mid-18 th century - at that time it built ships of the coastal fleet in Sweden, he operates to this day. For example, we found in the dock a few cranes and a couple of ships laid up, which is clearly something repaired.
Running around the dock on the same principle as any gateway. He stands on the channel. When his goal swims ship dry dock part is filled with water, the gate opens, the ship enters the dock, and the gate behind him closed. Later in the dock is fully pumped water, and begin to repair the ship to dry. That is, in principle, all!
Having seen plenty on the dock, we realized that we ought to hurry to the ferry to Helsinki. Of course, much of Suomenlinna, we see no time. But most importantly, we realized: this fortress deserves to come here. In Helsinki, we lived in the hotel «Sokos Albert». Feeding in a cafe in the museum of toys.