Lappeenranta Fortress

The Fortress of Lappeenranta is a unique place in South-Eastern Finland. Inhabited and full of life even today, it once formed part of a defence system that also included the fortress of Suomenlinna in Helsinki and the fortress of Hamina. The Lappeenranta Fortress is a valuable part of the Finnish, Russian and Swedish cultural heritage. The oldest buildings, including the guardhouse at the Main Gate that nowadays hosts the Cavalry Museum; the South Karelia Museum of Art buildings, the Orthodox Church and the Commandant’s House date from the latter part of the 18th century. Most of the wooden buildings are from the late 1800s, whereas the red-brick military barracks date from the early 20th century. Today, the Fortress offers visitors plenty of historical attractions and events, year after year.

You may explore the historical Fortress by following the nature and cultural trail. The route around the fortress is about 1.8 km long and there are 11 signposts along the trail, that tell the story of the area’s building and cultural history, as well as its distinctive vegetation.