Vesikko was used as a prototype for the German Type II U-boats.
The submarine's name, Vesikko, refers to the European mink, a species now critically endangered.
The vessel was originally commissioned by the Finnish Navy for training and coastal defense purposes.
Vesikko sank the Soviet merchant ship Vyborg in 1941.
Due to the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, Finland was prohibited from possessing submarines, leading to the decommissioning of the fleet.
The interior remains largely in its original wartime configuration, including communication equipment and navigation tools.
The submarine weighs approximately 250 tons and measures 40.9 meters in length.
Submarine Vesikko is a restored Finnish Navy vessel located on Susisaari island within the Suomenlinna sea fortress. Originally built in 1933 by the Crichton-Vulcan shipyard, the submarine served during the Winter War and Continuation War between 1939 and 1944. It is one of the few surviving Type IIA submarines in the world. The vessel was dry-docked and permanently displayed as a museum ship in 1973. Visitors explore the cramped interior, including the torpedo room, engine room, and control center. The exhibition highlights the technical engineering of the era and the challenging living conditions for the 20-man crew. The submarine is operated by the Finnish Military Museum.
From the wooden viewing platform on the dock looking down the length of the hull to capture the bow profile.
Navigate the narrow hatches and steep ladders carefully; the interior is not accessible for those with limited mobility.
Bring a light sweater, as the interior can be significantly cooler and damper than the outside temperature.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the wider Suomenlinna fortress UNESCO World Heritage site.
Do not attempt to enter if you suffer from severe claustrophobia, as the corridors are extremely tight.
Open only during the summer season; closed during the winter months.
No photography with tripods inside the narrow corridors; do not touch the preserved historical instruments.
