Hamina

Hamina is a town and municipality in southern Finland, located in the Kymenlaakso region on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. It lies at the mouth of the Kymijoki river, near Kotka, and functions as a local center for administration, services, and maritime activity. The municipality has around 19,000 residents.

The town was founded in 1653 by King Charles X Gustav of Sweden and was originally named Fredrikshamn in Swedish. It grew around an important coastal defense fortification, which later gave rise to a distinctive fortress town. In the 18th century the fortifications were developed into a circular defensive ring surrounding the town, and the urban plan was arranged to integrate with the fortress. This has left Hamina with a well-preserved historic core centered on the fortress and its surrounding waterways.

Today, Hamina’s economy is anchored in services, port-related activities, and tourism that highlights its maritime heritage and fortress architecture. The port handles cargo and occasional cruise calls, and the town serves as a gateway to the Gulf of Finland’s archipelago. Hamina is accessible by road and rail from regional centers, with Helsinki and other major Finnish hubs connected via national transport networks. The nearest international airport is Helsinki-Vantaa.

Culturally, the town preserves a number of museums and historic sites linked to its military and maritime past. The fortress and the surrounding old town are major attractions, drawing visitors interested in 18th-century fortifications, urban planning, and coastal Finnish history.