Svartholman merilinnoitus
The 18th-century sea fortress on an island off Loviisa is open in summer, with a free exhibition and a summer restaurant.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Construction of the Svartholma fortress began in 1748 to plans by Lieutenant Colonel Augustin Ehrensvärd, and most of the work was completed in the 1750s.
When Swedish rule ended in 1808, Svartholma surrendered to the Russians almost without resistance. During the Crimean War in 1855, an English fleet blew up the fortress's defences, and the fortress was left to decay.
The fortress has been restored since the 1960s under the direction of Museovirasto (the Finnish Heritage Agency). Today Svartholma is open in summer: the island is reached from the Loviisa Laivasilta (ferry quay) by scheduled ferry or by your own boat, and free guest-boat berths are available for boaters. On the second floor of the fortress there is a free exhibition on the island's history, and there is a summer restaurant on the island. Ten points of interest are marked for a self-guided walk from the main gate to the Henrik Renqvist memorial.
Highlights
- Sea fortress from 1748, designed by Ehrensvärd
- Free exhibition: The Island of Soldiers, Prisoners and Travellers
- Self-guided walk with ten points of interest
- Summer restaurant and free guest-boat berths
- Boat trip from the Loviisa Laivasilta (ferry quay), about 45 minutes
Permanent exhibition
- Sotilaiden, vankien ja matkailijoiden saari – The second-floor exhibition tells the story of Svartholma, the building phases of the fortress and everyday life during Swedish and Russian rule. Admission is free.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
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| Children & teens | freeAdmission to the fortress and exhibition is free; the child price for the ferry ticket is €12.50 (ages 0–12). |
| Ferry ticket: day cruise, adult (return) | €25 |
| Ferry ticket: day cruise, child aged 0–12 (return) | €12.50 |
| Ferry ticket: family ticket (two adults, three children) | €75 |
| Ferry ticket: adult, one way | €15 |
| Ferry ticket: child aged 0–12, one way | €7.50 |
There is no admission fee for the fortress island or the exhibition. The trip to the island costs the same as a scheduled ferry ticket; tickets are bought online, and early booking is recommended. Ferry ticket for a dog: €5.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Svartholma fortress is not well suited to people with reduced mobility: the paths are natural trails and the routes have high steps. The exhibition is on the second floor, reached by stairs from the inner courtyard; there is no lift. There is a small exhibition space on the ground floor. The ferry is not well suited to wheelchair users, and there is little space for prams.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 3 hrs |
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Loviisan Laivasilta
The scheduled ferry departs from the Loviisa Laivasilta (ferry quay); the journey takes about 40–45 minutes.
In summer 2026, traffic is operated by Helsingin Risteilypalvelut. Free guest-boat berths are available for boaters on the island.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
A summer restaurant operates on the island.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | With a day ticket you have about three hours on the island. Dogs are welcome on the ferry and on the island. The self-guided walk starts at the main gate. |
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