Visiting the Submarine Vesikko on Suomenlinna in Finland
Posted: October 10, 2024
Suomenlinna is a Sea Fortress built on a group of Islands off Helsinki and it is here that you can visit The Submarine Vesikko, a former World War 2 submarine, which was restored in 1973 and turned into a museum
I visited the Submarine Vesikko as part of my Baltics Tour in August 2018.
The Submarine Vesikko was launched on 10 May 1933 in Turku.
Until 1936 the Vesikko was known by its manufacturing code, CV 707 and belonged to the German Navy. It was purchased by Finland in 1936 and was given the name Vesikko, after the European mink.
It was one of five submarines to serve in the Finnish Navy.
Until 1936 the Vesikko was known by its manufacturing code, CV 707 and belonged to the German Navy. It was purchased by Finland in 1936 and was given the name Vesikko, after the European mink.
It was one of five submarines to serve in the Finnish Navy.
In what is known as WW2, Finland fought in 3 wars:
Mostly she was on patrol in the Gulf of Finland, protecting convoys. Her only hit was against the Soviet freighter, Vyborg.
After WW2 Finland was no longer allowed to have submarines. All were sold off as scrap except the Vesikko and after being left to decay, restoration work began and was finally completed in 1973.
Inside a sub is basically like a very narrow corridor. At the front end are the torpedoes.
- The Winter War (1939-40)
- The Continuation War (1940-44) against the Russians
- Lapland War (1944-45) against the Germans
Mostly she was on patrol in the Gulf of Finland, protecting convoys. Her only hit was against the Soviet freighter, Vyborg.
After WW2 Finland was no longer allowed to have submarines. All were sold off as scrap except the Vesikko and after being left to decay, restoration work began and was finally completed in 1973.
Inside a sub is basically like a very narrow corridor. At the front end are the torpedoes.
Immediately after, comes the crew quarters. 4 sets of bunks, sleeping 8, 4 on either side. The beds are tiny but I was informed that the average height of a submariner was just 1m 67.
The little cupboards were for personal effects.
The little cupboards were for personal effects.
Then you have the officers' quarters which was where the navigation and such like went on with the periscope and radio room.
Then came the engine room
And finally at the rear, 4 more bunks. The toilet area was just before the bunks and is now used as the exit. When submerged, crew members had to move around to compensate for someone using the bathroom to maintain stability.
How to get to Suomenlinna:
HSL (Helsinki Region Transport Authority) run daily ferries throughout the year from Kauppatori to Suomenlinna. The ferry takes just 19 minutes.
I bought a 1-day travel card for 9€ as issued by HSL (Helsinki Region Transport Authority) from the Cheap Sleep Hostel. A single trip ticket costs €2.90 so a one day card saves you cash as I needed to get to and from the hostel on the bus.
Visiting Hours:
The museum is closed during the long winter season. Check locally before you go.
Tickets for the Submarine Vesikko:
- Free entry for persons under 18 years.
- Adults: 7 €
- Students (18–), pensioners 4 €
You can visit also Military Museum’s Manege and Artillery Manege with the same entrance ticket.
Admission is free with a Museum Card and with a Helsinki Card.
Budget-friendly accommodation in Helsinki
I stayed at the Cheap Sleep Hostel which is 3.6 km from the ferry but it was a good place. Big breakfast buffet included. But there is also a YHA on Suomenlinna. Had I known about it, I would have stayed there a night.