RUSSIAN VIAPORI
Destruction of the Great Courtyard
The Great Courtyard, built in the 18th century on the island of Susisaari, was the first monument square in Finland, and the administrative centre in Viapori. Only part of the original courtyard layout has survived to our day, as this closed area sustained considerable damage in bombardments during the Crimean War.
The Courtyard during the Swedish era
During the Swedish era, circles of bastions inside each other were built in Viapori, the innermost of which housed a courtyard known as the Great Courtyard. The courtyard was at its most complete in the late 18th century. The buildings lining the courtyard housed the Main Guard, office premises including the drawing office, and some of the officers’ quarters. Augustin Ehrensvärd, who led the construction of Viapori, occupied the Ekeblad’s Pavilion, or the Commandant’s House. Following Ehrensvärd’s death in 1772, his tomb was transferred in 1783 and placed in the middle of the Great Courtyard. Five years later, a monument was erected at the tomb; it is still there.
A honour guard at Ehrensvärd’s tomb in 1918. The Officers’ Barracks, known as the Blue House, can be seen in the background Photo credits: HKM
Ravages of the Crimean War
As far as is known, the courtyard remained relatively unaltered from the beginning of the Russian era until the Crimean War. In the bombardments of Viapori in August 1855, the circle of bastions sustained more damage than the rest of the fortress. The high General’s House, visible at a great distance from the sea, was an obvious target for British artillery fire, and sustained considerable damage. An indication of the extent of the damage is the fact that after the bombardment had ceased, only five rooms in the Ekeblad’s Pavilion were fit for living. The windows, doors and chimney of the building were in shreds, and the wooden structures had burnt down.
In the aftermath of the Crimean War, a decision was taken according to which only buildings with a maximum of two floors were allowed to be built in Viapori. The whole of the four-floor General’s House was pulled down, as well as the third floors of several buildings. Authorities in St. Petersburg took a divided view on the reparations of the Great Courtyard. While half of the Ekeblad’s Pavilion was repaired, no appropriation was granted for the reparation of the other half, leading to its demolition later. Of the two bow-shape buildings in the courtyard, one, the Resident Major's House, was brought into use again, but its neighbour, the Main Guard, was demolished.
The nature of the courtyard was definitively changed around 1880, as Bastion Ekeblad was pulled down and, around 1882, a building known as the Blue House was built at the southern end of the courtyard to be used as officers’ quarters. A passage was opened from the south to the Great Courtyard, which previously had been closed on three sides. During the Russian era, the building in the courtyard were principally used as officers’ quarters. In 1908, on account of the centenary of the Russian garrison, some sights in Viapori was given a facelift. In connection with this, the Great Courtyard and even Ehrensvärd’s tomb were refurbished in order to make them more presentable.
In the early 1920s, a museum, the Ehrensvärd Museum, was established in the Ekeblad’s Pavilion, providing information on the fortress’ Swedish era.
A honour guard at Ehrensvärd’s tomb in 1918. The Officers’ Barracks, known as the Blue House, can be seen in the background. Photo credits: HKM
A 360° panoramic view from the castle yard
Text: Pasi Kolhonen
(Read more about the bombardments during the Crimean war)
The Russian Viapori online exhibition
is part of the jubilee programme for
Finland’s 100 years of independence.
