Plizio Visual Lab

Hamina Fortress

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

Hamina Fortress is a world-rare example of a star-shaped bastion fortress that simultaneously encloses the entire city center. Following the Treaty of Nystad in 1721, the Swedes began constructing the fortress to secure the new border against Russia. The unique feature of Hamina is its radial town plan, where eight streets fan out in a star shape from the central market square and end at the bastions. The fortress was later further reinforced and modernized by the Russians under General Suvorov. In Hamina, the Treaty of Fredrikshamn was signed in 1809, through which Finland was ceded from Sweden to Russia. Today, large parts of the fortress walls, casemates, and bastions are restored and accessible to the public. The Central Bastion now serves as a massive event arena and is the venue for the Hamina Tattoo, an international military music festival. The city of Hamina maintains its military heritage and gives visitors a unique insight into Baroque fortification architecture.

Location: Finland
Top sights: RUK-museo · Vehkalahtisali

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-5	-6	-3	3	10	14	18	17	12	6	2	-2
Rain mm	57	48	43	43	56	73	67	73	70	81	72	69

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Hamina Fortress is an open-air historic site featuring star-shaped ramparts and a central square. Visitors can freely explore the outer walls and inner courtyards year-round, while the bastions host occasional exhibitions and events.

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Typical hours

The fortress grounds are usually open to the public without time restrictions, while the visitor centre and museum follow seasonal hours. During the summer months, opening hours are typically extended, with reduced availability in winter.

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Photography

Photography is generally allowed outdoors, especially from the star-shaped ramparts offering great views. Indoor exhibitions may restrict flash and tripods; drones typically require permission.

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Time needed

A typical visit takes about 1-2 hours to walk around the star-shaped ramparts and explore the central square. If you include the museum exhibitions or a guided tour, allow up to 3 hours for a thorough experience.

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Combine with

Combine the fortress with a walk through Hamina's well-preserved wooden old town and central square. The nearby Museum of Hamina and the bastion gardens are also easily reachable on foot.

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Getting there

Hamina is easily reached by car from Helsinki (around 1.5 hours) or by regional bus from Kotka. The fortress is a short walk from the central square, and there is free parking close to the ramparts.

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Insider tip

Visit early morning to experience the fortress without crowds and capture beautiful light. The local tourist office has a free walking map that includes historical highlights of the ramparts.