Sightseeing: Navy Celebrating in Helsinki

Svensksund / Ruotsinsalmi is a sound in the Gulf of Finland 

outside the present day city of Kotka.  On 9 and 10 July 1790 the Swedish naval forces 

dealt the Russian fleet a devastating defeat that brought an end to 

the Russo-Swedish War of 1788–90. The battle of Svensksund is the biggest naval battle 

ever fought in the Baltic Sea: 500 ships, over 30,000 men and several thousand cannons. 

It qualifies among the largest naval battles in history in terms of the number of vessels involved.

Finland was at that time part of Sweden, and this day 9th July is a navy celebration day 

in both countries. In Helsinki the celebration took place around the Market Place / Kauppatori. 

The public could visit the warships, listen to the navy’s orchestra, try shooting and 

stroll in the middle of young handsome men in uniforms. 

The queues were so long that I did not go inside the ships, but grandson surely did!

 It was a grey day, fortunately no rain.

The Market Place and the whole centrum was packed with tourists.

A lovely small sightseeing experience with the family.

// WEDNESDAY AROUND THE WORLD