1748

Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Construction of the sea fortress began, led by Augustin Ehrensvärd.

1760 -

The Great Courtyard, completed in the 1760s, was the first monument square in Finland. Obliquely positioned bastions and arched buildings created a false perspective in the square. It was used to highlight the administrative centre of the fortress where the main guard house for the fortress and the fortress commandant’s residence were located.

1772

Augustin Ehrensvärd died in October.

1808

The Finnish War. The fortress was surrendered to the Russian army and became a Russian naval base for the next 110 years.

1855

The Crimean War. The Great Courtyard was badly damaged in the Anglo-French fleet bombardment.

1880 -

The Ekeblad Bastion, a part of the Commandant’s House, the General’s Building and another arched main guard house building that were damage during the Crimean War were demolished. A residential building for Russian officers was built in the square.

1918

The Finnish Civil War. The fortress was annexed by Finland.

1930 -

The Ehrensvärd Museum opened. The anchor was brought in front of the building.

Drawing of the Great Courtyard

the buildings destroyed during the Crimean war in 1855 are shown in grey in the picture

Buildings (top down, left to right):

the Ehrensvärd Museum

the General's Building

The Commandant’s house

The main guard house

Ehrensvärd’s tomb

the Ekeblad Bastion