Helsinki Travel Guide - History

Helsinki continued to grow, although rather slowly. In order to improve its harbour, the city relocated itself in the mid-1600s a bit further south, to its current location by the open sea. About one century later, Helsinki suffered a war with the Russians; and was almost devastated by the plague and ensuing famine as well.

The Russian invasion, which lasted from 1731 to 1721, and then again in 1742, became known as the ‘Greater Wrath.’ As a result of the invasions, fortification of the city became a priority, and under the Swedish defence policy, the construction of a sea fortress at Suomenlinna was begun in 1748.

Russia and Sweden engaged in a war in the very early part of the 19th century, and as a result Finland was annexed to the Russian Empire, in the form of an autonomous Grand Duchy. In 1812, Helsinki was made the capital and Empire-style construction was undertaken to build up the area around Helsinki cathedral.

By the late 19th century, the city had developed into a modern European centre. Railroads were built to link the newly-important industrial centre with Hameenlinna in 1862, and with St Petersburg in 1870. By 1900, the city’s population exceeded the 100,000 mark.

At that time, entire neighbouring communities were annexed, adding to the city’s area as well as its population. Today, the city continues to grow at a rate that is unparalleled in other parts of Europe.