Svartholma Fortress

Svartholma is a sea fortress built on an island with symmetrical bastions and three layers of defensive structures. The fortress sits at the mouth of Loviisa Bay and uses the rocky island terrain to create strong defensive positions.

Swedish engineer Augustin Ehrensvärd designed and built this fortress between 1749 and 1764 as a defense against Russian threats. The British navy destroyed much of it with explosives in 1855 during the Crimean War.

The exhibition here tells the story of soldiers, prisoners, and visitors through artifacts found during archaeological digs. Objects on display reveal how people lived and worked within these stone walls over the centuries.

You can visit from May through August by taking a water bus from Laivasilta harbor in Loviisa. The ferry operates on a regular schedule and takes you directly to the island fortress.

After British explosives destroyed much of it in 1855, local people collected the scattered stones and reused them to build houses in Loviisa. You can still see these fortress stones built into older buildings throughout the town.

Location: Loviisa

GPS coordinates: 60.37930,26.29901

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45