During the cold season you can have the Suomenlinna island fortress, one of Finland’s most visited tourist locations, almost to yourself. This Unesco World Heritage site just outside Helsinki harbour remains ruggedly beautiful throughout the winter, when ice, light, water, snow and rock convey uniquely enchanting impressions.
Jump onboard the Suomenlinna ferry, or take the warm way out and view our slideshow.
The Helsinki City Transport ferry arrives outside this gateway. The building's Jetty Barracks Art Gallery and Panimo microbrewery and restaurant welcome visitors as they disembark. Photo: Tim Bird
Reverse angle: The jetty barracks seen from the top of the hill, right at home under a soft layer of snow. Photo: Tim Bird
Walking home: Suomenlinna, actually made up of six different islands, forms a Unesco World Heritage site and is also home to about 900 people. Photo: Tim Bird
A ghostly light fills the square where Swedish officer Augustin Ehrensvärd (1710-1772) was laid to rest. Construction of the Suomenlinna fortress began under Ehrensvärd's supervision in 1750. Photo: Tim Bird
While Helsinki glows in the distance, some visitors to Suomenlinna show up in the foreground - there and gone again. Photo: Tim Bird
Floes flow: Traversing the sea outside the fortress walls. Photo: Tim Bird
Sun, sea, snow and ice play tricks on the eyes as afternoon merges into evening. Photo: Tim Bird
Suomenlinna forms a gate to Helsinki harbour, and it is not uncommon to see huge ships glide past behind the battlements. In this magical shot, the Silja Line cruise ship bound for Stockholm slides by, seemingly leaving nothing but a trail of light. Photo: Tim Bird
Evening falls on Suomenlinna and a calm sea, with Helsinki's smokestacks and church towers visible in the background. Photo: Tim Bird
Dusk is just about to turn from indigo to black on this outer edge of the fortress. Photo: Tim Bird
The tower of Suomenlinna Church doubles as a lighthouse and is visible from many points on the mainland. Photo: Tim Bird
Photos by Tim Bird
Text by Peter Marten
