Örö

Örö’s eventful history can still be seen in many ways. Before becoming part of the Archipelago National Park, the island served as pasture for cattle and a military zone for a hundred years – first as a fortress of the Baltic Sea defence chain under Tsar Russian rule, and later as a base for Finland’s coastal artillery. In historical terms, the most valuable sites on the fortress island include the barracks and heavy artillery battery, fortifications on the northern tip of the island, the grenade launcher hill, the ruins of a 120 mm artillery battery and the cobbled road called “Pitkä ikävä” (= long and dreary) which can still be seen.

Örö is also home to some unique habitats. The most precious of these are the invaluable scorched heathlands and sandy beaches that have remained virtually untouched for over 100 years. Connecting vessels to Örö departure from Kasnäs and Hanko.