Kirkonmaa by boat – fortress island and summer café off Kotka

The story of the Kirkonmaa fortress begins with the Treaty of Tartu in 1920, when the outer islands of the Gulf of Finland were neutralised. Studies concluded that Kirkonmaa needed heavy artillery. Planning and the compulsory purchase of land began in 1925, and construction work started in 1927. With its dispersed guns, Kirkonmaa was the first fortress of the modern type, and a narrow-gauge railway was also built on the island.

In the Winter War, on 3 March 1940, the Kirkonmaa and Rankki batteries together repelled a large-scale enemy attack across the ice. During the war years, the enemy dropped several bombs on the northern end of the island, sinking a German mine transport ship at the same time.

After the wars, Kirkonmaa became a training fortress in 1949, and the staff terraced houses were built between 1960 and 1973. In 1967, a four-gun 152-millimetre Tampella battery was completed on the island, and the last firing of this type of gun took place on Kirkonmaa in July 2002. The fortress was closed down at the end of 2013, and in 2015 the fortress area was sold to Kotkan Saaret Oy.

Kuutsalo, Kirkonmaa and Rankki have a few dozen permanent residents, but in summer the islands fill up with boaters and nature tourists. Kirkonmaa suits a day that combines a short boat trip, a coffee break and a walk on a former fortress island.

The trip suits those interested in military history and coastal artillery, and anyone who wants to take a short boat trip to a peaceful island with a café. The journey from Sapokka is short, so Kirkonmaa is also good for a trip of a few hours.

Kirkonmaa guest harbour is at the northern end of the island in the tourist services area, and the summer café Rantabaari Knaapi is right next to the harbour. The harbour has berths for about ten boats up to 15 metres long, and in the summer season Knaapi serves as the reception point for boaters. The main jetty has electricity and a shower, and the side jetty has a shower but no electricity.

Free ferries operated by Finferries run to the island from Kuusinen harbour in Kotka, and water taxis run from Sapokka to the islands. Take other traffic into account when entering the harbour.

Check the latest guest harbour instructions and any harbour fees on the Kirkonmaa website before you set off.

In the summer season, Rantabaari Knaapi is the customer service point and café of Kirkonmaa's tourist services, and you can also pre-order food and other supplies there. Confirm Knaapi's opening hours with Kirkonmaa's tourist services before you set off.

A sauna and a beach villa are available to rent on the island. Ask Kirkonmaa's tourist services about availability and book in advance.

Rocks covered in moss and lichen can be slippery even in dry weather, so sturdy shoes with a good grip are a must. Kotka and its archipelago are a tick risk area, so keep to the roads and trails. Bring drinking water and take your rubbish away with you.

Agree on refuelling with the boat owner before you set off.

On Kirkonmaa you can rent a holiday home in the terraced houses that used to be homes for military staff, and a beach villa is also available to rent on the island. Ask about accommodation in the terraced houses through Rantabaari Knaapi.

Moor the boat for the night according to the harbour's instructions.