Submarine Vesikko, Helsinki Travel Guide

Vesikko, a meticulously restored Finnish submarine, offers a unique journey into naval history. Launched in 1933, it served in the Finnish Navy during the Winter and Continuation Wars. This compact vessel, originally built as a prototype for the German Type II submarines, provides a tangible sense of the conditions faced by its 20-member crew.Touring the Vesikko, visitors can explore the vessel's narrow corridors and experience the tight living and working spaces. The vessel's interior includes the torpedo room, crew quarters with their small bunks, the officers' quarters, and the engine room. A soundscape enhances the experience, immersing visitors in the sounds of running engines, crew commands, and torpedo attacks.Vesikko's historical significance extends beyond its service record. It stands as the sole surviving Finnish submarine, spared from scrapping after the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty forbade Finland from operating submarines. Preserved as a museum ship, it opened to the public in 1973 and has since become a popular attraction, drawing around 30,000 visitors annually. Vesikko is located on Suomenlinna, a sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site.