Castles and fortifications of Finland on the map
medieval crown castles and 18th-century coastal fortifications
Finland's castles and fortifications are among the most significant built heritage of the medieval and early modern periods. The medieval main castles — Turku Castle, Häme Castle, Vyborg Castle and Olavinlinna — were built during Swedish rule between the 13th and 16th centuries to secure borders and administer crown lands. They are joined by numerous later fortifications, such as Suomenlinna off Helsinki and the Lappeenranta fortification, built in the 18th century as part of the strategic struggle between Sweden and Russia over the Baltic.
This page collects Finland's castles and fortifications based on the Finnish Heritage Agency's Kyppi register. It includes both medieval stone castles and later fortification works and barracks areas. The sites are spread across the country, and many remain open to visitors — as museums, open-air museums or park areas. Click the map to find the nearest castle.
39 sites from the Finnish Heritage Agency Kyppi register · Updated: 14/06/2026
Notable sites
Links open the search and show the site on the map.
- SuomenlinnaHelsinki — UNESCO-merilinnoitus
- Turun linnaTurku — keskiaikainen päälinna
- Hämeen linnaHämeenlinna — keskiaikainen kruununlinna
- OlavinlinnaSavonlinna — 1400-luvun rajalinna
- Kajaanin linnaKajaani — 1600-luvun rajalinnoitus
- Raaseporin linnaRaasepori — keskiaikainen rauniolinna
- Lappeenrannan linnoitusLappeenranta — 1700-luvun linnoitus
- Svartholman merilinnoitusLoviisa — 1700-luvun saarilinnoitus
Castles and fortifications of Finland on the map on the map
Click the map to see sites and open individual details. The map covers all of Finland.
Filter sites
You can filter sites by period, type and area on the interactive map.
Frequently asked questions
How many castles are there in Finland?▾
Finland has four medieval main stone castles — Turku Castle, Häme Castle, Olavinlinna and Raseborg Castle — and several dozen later fortifications and barracks areas. The exact number depends on definition: the Kyppi register includes both individual buildings and entire fortification areas.
What is the oldest castle in Finland?▾
Turku Castle and Häme Castle were both begun in the late 13th century and are considered Finland's oldest stone castles. Precise dating is difficult because the castles were expanded and rebuilt over centuries. Archaeological research dates the oldest parts of Turku Castle to the 1280s.
Can you visit Finland's castles?▾
Most well-known castles — Turku Castle, Häme Castle, Olavinlinna, Suomenlinna, the Kajaani Castle ruins — are open for museum visits or guided tours. Opening hours and admission vary by season; check current details per site. Smaller fortifications and ruins are often freely accessible outdoor sites.
Cities with the most sites
Where does the data come from?
Aikapolku data comes from the Finnish Heritage Agency's Kyppi register, Finland's official cultural heritage information service.