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Location DB > Finland > Western Finland > Korppoo > Utö
 Name
Utö
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by Tupsumato on 11/26/2007 8:44 PM
last modified by Tupsumato on 11/27/2007 7:21 PM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
Utö is Finland's southernmost inhabited island, just couple of kilometers across. A century of military presence has left its traces - dozens of bunkers, gun emplacements and other types of fortification. Some areas remain off-limits to civilians, but many sites can be visited in the daylight, and the rest when the sun goes down. And even without the abandoned military stuff the barren, remote rock island far from mainland is an astonishing place.
 Basic Information
Type: Outdoors
Status: Abandoned/Active
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
 Physical Information
Address

Korppoo, Western Finland
Finland
Owner:
 Hazards
  • flooding
  • water
  •  Interesting Features
    The lighthouse, the fortifications, the shipwrecks, the flora, the fauna, the scenery... It's an interesting island from end to end.
     Security Measures
  • fences
  • razor wire
  • part-time guard
  • locked gates
  • cameras
  • local residents, occassional military personnel
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1740
    Closed: 2005
     Required Equipment
  • flashlight
  • camping gear
  •  Recommended Equipment
    binoculars, camera
     History
    Utö has been a well-known safe natural harbour since the 17th century. The first permanent settlers arrived in the 1740s to ensure pilot and lighthouse services which continue to this day.

    The island was fortified by the Russian army at the dawn of the First World War and the fort of Utö was founded in 1915 as part of Peter the Great's Naval Fortress. Fortifications and other structures built during the war include all the cobblestone roads, the main pier and four gun emplacement for 152/45 C (152 mm 45 caliber naval cannon model Canet) guns, three of which remain abandoned today.

    The Russians left in after Finland gained independence, and the island was taken over by the Finnish army, but because of lack of funds the fort remained unmanned until 1939. Because of the upcoming war fortifications were built around the clock.

    On December 14th, 1939, the fort of Utö successifully fought against two Soviet destroyers. According to some sources one of them later sank. On September 13th, 1941, the coastal defence ship Ilmarinen hit a mine and sank south from the island of Utö, claiming 271 lives.

    After the war the fort provided basic training for conscripts, but since the conditions were so bad, basic training was forbidden in 1956. In the 1970s the fort received another artillery battery, four 100 mm turrets on the neighbouring island of Ormskär. A new barracks was also built. In the 1990s the old six-inch guns were replaced with 130 mm tower cannons (two of which are visible in the main picture). One decommissioned 152 50 T, a modernized Canet gun with Tampella barrel, was left in place.

    The fort was closed in 2005 and all military personnel left the island. The main artillery battery is scheduled to remain operational until 2020.
     Media Coverage

     Future Plans
    The Finnish Defence Forces left the island in 2005. The artillery batteries in the neighbouring island have been decommissioned and will eventually be scrapped, and the island is no longer military area, but the newer turrets on the main island will remain operational until 2020.
     Stories


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     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    I/05
    Tue, Nov 27th, 2007
    posted by Tupsumato
    25 pictures
     


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     Web Links
    Utö - The island's website has some old photographs of the military installations
     Contribute

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     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    This location has not yet been rated by a moderator.
     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 12/5/2007 1:20 AM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Dec 5 07 at 1:20, Emperor Wang validated this location
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:21, Tupsumato made this location available
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:21, Tupsumato changed the following: History
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:21, Tupsumato changed the following: Interesting Features, Description
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:19, Tupsumato updated gallery picture 25.jpg
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:17, Tupsumato updated gallery picture 24.jpg
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:16, Tupsumato updated gallery picture 23.jpg
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:16, Tupsumato updated gallery picture 22.jpg
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:15, Tupsumato updated gallery picture 21(1).jpg
  • on Nov 27 07 at 19:15, Tupsumato updated gallery picture 20(1).jpg
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