Descrizione dell'organizzazione

The Governing Body of Suomenlinna is a government agency responsible for the restoration, maintenance, presentation and administration of Suomenlinna, a historical sea fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

UNESCO World Heritage Convetions descreption of Suomenlinna Sea Fortress says that "Built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on a group of islands located at the entrance of Helsinki's harbour, this fortress is an especially interesting example of European military architecture of the time."

Suomenlinna is located on a group of islands close to the centre of Helsinki and can only be reached by water. The fortress is one of the most popular tourist sites in Finland, with approximately one million visitors a year. It is also a city district of Helsinki and home to approximately 800 permanent residents. Suomenlinna is a unique and lively network of residents and visitors, restaurants and bars, museums and artist workshops, and also a 18th century dockyard that is in use in its original purpose. The network stays vital with good and close co-operation between its old and new members.

Voluntary work is one part of the lively fortress and its networks. Suomenlinna sees voluntary participation as a chance to include everyone in the ongoing process of defining and managing cultural heritage. Voluntary work with young people helps to identify best practices and develop non-formal education tools to facilitate participation in the World Heritage education.