UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland

There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland. Six of these sites are cultural and one is natural.

Finland UNESCO Sites Placeholder
Finland UNESCO Sites

Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmaki (1999)

This Bronze Age Burial Site was inscribed into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland in 1999. This site is considered of cultural importance in Finland as it provides insight into the funerary practices and the social and religious structures in Europe during that time. The burial site is located on the Gulf of Bothnia, which spans a total of 36 hectares in land area and consists of 33 burial cairns.

Fortress of Suomenlinna (1991)

unesco world heritage sites in finland

This fortress was built during the 18th century on an isolated group of islands right at the entrance to the harbor of Helsinki. The fortress was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland in 1991 as it showcases the European military architecture during that particular time period. The fortress was designed by Swedish architect Augustin Eherensvard using Vauban’s theories to suit the geographical location of the fortress.

Old Rauma (1991)

This is another UNESCO site in Finland that is located in the Gulf of Bothnia. Old Rauma is one of the oldest harbors in the country. The site is built around a Franciscan monastery wherein you will find a 15th-century Holy Cross Church. Even though it was hit by a fire during the 17th century, the architectural heritage of the site remains intact.

Petajavesi Old Church (1994)

This old church is located in central Finland and was inscribed into the UNESCO list in 1994. This Lutheran church was built purely out of logs during the 18th century. This exemplifies the architectural tradition unique to Eastern Scandinavia, which made it of cultural value to the country. It is also a combination of Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles.

Struve Geodetic Arc (2005)

The Struve Arc is another cultural site added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland. It is a chain of survey triangulations that stretch from Norway to the Black Sea (passing through a total of 10 countries!). These points of survey were carried out during the early to mid-1800s.

Verla Groundwood and Board Mill (1996)

The Verla Groundwood and Board Mill is a residential area known for its outstanding and well-preserved rural industrial settlement. The settlement is linked to the production of pulp, paper and board in Northern Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. Only a few of these settlements were able to survive until the present day.

High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago (2000, 2006)

This is the only natural site recognized into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland. Located along the Gulf of Bothnia, this archipelago serves as an extension of the Baltic Sea. It consists of up to 5,600 islands with an unusual moraine formed through the melting of the continental ice sheets thousands of years ago. The site provides crucial information for the study of how glaciated and land uplift areas are formed.


View the list of all of the UNESCO World Heritage sites I have visited on my travels.

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