Instructions for filming and photographing

Suomenlinna is a photogenic place and we encourage our visitors to take many photos of the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, there are several official activities that should be noted when filming or photographing. When you are planning a commercial or other professional or larger scale photography or filming session in Suomenlinna, you must bear in mind Suomenlinna’s special characteristics as a historic sea fortress, a place of residence and a destination for many kinds of visitors.

To protect the fortress and its valuable nature and to prevent any disturbance to the fortress’s residents or visitors, we have compiled these instructions for photographers and film crews. They make your visit smoother and are designed to help you.

The guiding principle when planning a photography or filming session is that you should act like you would like others to act, in order to ensure that all visitors to Suomenlinna can enjoy their visit.

Photography and filming are allowed in outdoor areas if

you don’t take aerial footage
it does not restrict access to any area
it takes place between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m
the Antiquities Act is adhered to and soil, structures and nature at the fortress are not harmed
routes and passages are kept accessible for they are service and rescue routes
the ordinary activities or events at the fortress are not disturbed
the privacy of residents is respected and photographing or filming is not carried out in courtyards
it does not take place in areas where official activities or authorities or the Finnish Defence Forces operate or in industrial areas, such as construction sites or the dry dock
heavy photography or filming machinery, such as dolly tracks or cranes, are not used
open fire, firearms, explosives, pyrotechnics or smoke machine are not used
special arrangements, such as staff facilities, electrical arrangements and or waste disposal are not required.

Permit for photographing or filming is not granted for the tunnel of Suomenlinna. The tunnel providing the city infrastructure to Suomenlinna is intended solely for the technical maintenance of the tunnel and rescue vehicles. The tunnel is used only when absolutely necessary, and no media or the public is allowed in the tunnel. The Communications department of the Governing Body of Suomenlinna delivers photo and video material on the tunnel when necessary.

Adhere to

Suomenlinna rules and regulations and these instructions
attention and warning signs and areas designated as prohibited
service traffic and parking restrictions
general guidelines on aerial photography and filming:
in some parts of Suomenlinna, aerial photography and filming are prohibited due to official regulations.

Click here to see the map of prohibited areas (in Finnish)

Click here to read the aerial photography and filming instructions on the Droneinfo website

Photography and filming indoors

Contact the Governing Body of Suomenlinna that manages the premises and the entrepreneur operating in the facility for the permit.
Photography and filming in Suomenlinna’s conference and banquet facilities is only allowed for the people who have rented the facilities in question.
With regard to ferries, contact Suomenlinnan Liikenne. With regard to waterbuses, contact waterbus operator:

Click here to visit the Suomenlinnan Liikenne website.

Click here to read more about waterbus operator.

Important safety information

Photographers and film crews operate in Suomenlinna at their own risk and are responsible of their own safety.
Photographers and film crews must pay attention to their own safety and that of others.
The fortress structures, walls and ramparts are in a number of places without fencing. Even areas that seem safe may feature unexpected precipices.
The ground in the fortress may be slippery, especially in the winter.
Vessels may cause strong currents. When visiting the shoreline, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the sea traffic.

When permission is needed for photography and filming

Photography or filming sessions that do not meet the above-mentioned criteria can be arranged in exceptional cases only. In these cases, apply for permission with the Governing Body of Suomenlinna, which grants or refuses permission based on a case-by-case consideration. Permission can be granted for photography and filming sessions that contribute to the values of the World Heritage Site, such as supporting the local community, history or year-round tourism.

Application: photography or filming in Suomenlinna

Applications received by the Governing Body of Suomenlinna will be processed in the order they are received. The decision will be made within two weeks after the form is received or from the time the necessary additional information has been received. Please note that processing permits may take longer during the holiday season. For those who will receive a permit, the Governing Body of Suomenlinna will provide information on, for example, how to operate in the fortress without damaging it and respecting its world heritage value, and how to adjust schedules to other activities at the fortress (construction sites, events, other filming).

Name of contact person(Required)

Email address of contact person(Required)

Phone number of contact person(Required)

Date and time of the intended shoot(Required)

Enter all the desired dates and times.

What is the subject and purpose of the shoot?(Required)

Do you intend to use the location so that the audience will be able to identify Suomenlinna as the shooting location?(Required)

Kyllä

Shooting plan and the exact shooting location(Required)

Describe your shooting plan and the type of shooting location you are searching for. If you have already planned for a specific location at Suomenlinna, please enter the location.

Shooting crew and equipment(Required)

Describe your crew and equipment i.e. How many people will take part to the shooting all together? What kind of equipment are you planning to take with to?

Number and size of vehicles needed in the shoot(Required)

Describe how many passenger cars, vans, or lorries your plans include.

Something else?

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Successful planning!

Tips for photographers and film crews Close section

During summer weekends and on sunny days in the spring and the summer, there are a lot of visitors in the fortress and it may be difficult to find a peaceful shooting location. Could you arrange the photography or filming session at another time or in another season?
Suomenlinna is being developed as a car-free area so arrange your session so that you do not need to use motor vehicles.
Respect all visitors and our shared world heritage.
Adhere to drone-related instructions and no drone zones.
Use local services, such as cafés and restaurants, during the session.

Do not organise photography or filming sessions in the following areas Close section

Yards and private properties
The dry dock area, which is an industrial area, and authorities’ operating areas with prohibited access
Areas on top of the gunpowder magazines for safety reasons
Naval Academy area on Pikku-Musta island is prohibited by the authorities
Lansi Mustasaari is a residential area
Great Courtyard and Ehrensvärd’s tomb: respect the sanctity of the grave; it is also one of the most popular destinations where all visitors must have access
King’s Gate: a monument of national significance that must be respected; it is also one of the most popular destinations where all visitors must have access
Prison camp memorial: we ask you not to organise a photography or filming session out of respect for the memory of people who were on Suomenlinna prison camps in 1918–1919