The Era of Russian Rule in Sveaborg 1808-1917

In spring 1809, less than a year after the surrender of Sveaborg, the Russian emperor Alexander I came to inspect his new fortress. The emperor was very pleased with what he saw, and Russians were delighted to say that it was a fortress which was "built by the Swedish lion for the Russian eagle". Sveaborg experienced a new age of bloom as a Russian naval base. Shops, bakeries and refectories serviced the civilians as well as the army. In the fortress, there was simultaneously in operation a Russian school, a school for indigent people kept by a charitable association, a Lutheran Finnish-Swedish school and a Jewish school. In the Russian army prevailed freedom of religion; hence there were service rooms for many different religious groups. What is more, they even had an orchestra of their own and numerous theater groups in Sveaborg. Russians adored imposing parades and the fortress dwellers often got to follow them. Life was strict and simple for the soldiers lodging in the caserne. Many of the soldiers were former slaves and they owned a bad reputation. Public entertainments of the city and political meetings were forbidden for them, and at nights they could but lie about in the caserne. However, soldiers went to sauna and church on a weekly basis. Officers had their own club to relax, play card and enjoy wine. Having acquired a good military education, they were popular guests in the Helsinki households, balls and parties. Connections between Helsinki and Sveaborg were busy. In the early decades, it was possible to row to city, but later on a steamboat began operating between the fortress and the city. In wintertime horse sleighs were the main means of travel. A Russian journalist having visited Sveaborg in 1838 was amazed at what he had seen. "It is all miniature-like, orderly and more than beautiful, it is wonderful!" wrote he with enthusiasm.