Varak és kastélyok (A 25. Egri Nyári Egyetem előadásai 1995 Eger, 1995)

Előadások: - Eeva-Liisa Rautalahti: Suomenlinna – világörökség

Before I World War the Russians built an extensive fortification system around Helsinki. The most important defence line on the sea side was already transferred to other islands lying far out on the sea. Part of the batteries on Suomenlinna were, nevertheless, fortified with bunkers made of concrete although the military importance of Suomenlinna was more that of a garrison. The Russians built several utilitarian buildings, such as maneges, buildings for the fabrication of mines etc, needed at that time. Quite a number of smaller buildings on Suomenlinna were made of wood during both the Swedish and the Russian pereiod. These buildings were built both by the State and by private citizens. Those built by the State were mostly temporary out-buildings, while privatly built houses were mostly dwellings. These wooden houses are not often shown on the military plans and drawings as they were considered temporary, to be removed or burned down in the case of emergency. In all times there have also existed jetties, bridges, lavatories, wells, parks and roads that were significant for the landscape. The Finnish Period Suomenlinna was taken over by the Finns after the Russian peresonnel had moved out in 1918, following the declaration of independence. During the Finnish period the fortress has served as a garrison. The Finns built few new constructions as the operational defence line was further out at sea. The latest additions to the cannon emplacements were made, however, as late as during World War II, as Suomenlinna was a part of Helsinkis anti-air-raid system. Although Suomenlinna was a military area it was also declared a national monument, and an archeological committee was set up in 1920 to take care of some restoration work of the fortifications on Kustaanmiekka and Susisaari. Suomenlinna remained a military area until 1972 when the last Coastal Artillery Regiments moved out. After this only the Naval Academy exists today on Pikku Mustasaari as a reminder of its military history. In 1974 a general plan was made by the National Board of Antiquities for the future developement of Suomenlinna. In 1976 a civil administration was founded to take care of the restoration and maintenance of Suomenlinna 1976, the Governing Body of Suomenlinna, directly under the Ministery of Education. A World Heritage Site Cultural monuments accepted to be World Heritage Sites must have outstanding universal value, meet the test of authencity in design, materials, workmanship and setting, and have adequate legal protection and management mechanisms to assure its preservation. The Fortress of Suomenlinna was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991 as an outstanding example of military architecture. Suomenlinna is in all essential parts authentic in its various state during its history. It is unique because of the irregularity of its forticications, built on separate islands and in the terrain with great differences in height freely, adapting the fortification theories of Vauban. A special feature is its significance for the defence of three nations, Sweden, Russia and Finland, and its present appearence as a conglomeration of different styles and building traditions. Suomenlinna also represents several significant historical phases of fortification techniques