Research into the history of Hamina Fortress is underway
The City of Hamina has commissioned a Building History Survey (RHS) of the Hamina Fortress from the architectural firm Ark-byroo Oy. The RHS project will be implemented between 14 April 2026 and 31 January 2027.
The purpose of the work is to investigate the construction and modification history of the Hamina Fortress, as well as the repair history of the fortress structures throughout the fortress area, which has several owners: the City of Hamina, Defence Properties and private parties.
The construction and repair history study of the fortress will be used for land use planning, repair and maintenance of the fortress structures, and for official supervision, for studying the site's use options, for zoning, and for monitoring the implementation of conservation objectives.
The work includes archival research and, in addition to studying previous renovations, field research throughout the fortress area to investigate the different phases of the fortress's history.
The need for the survey has come from the authorities and the ongoing development work of the Hamina fortifications. The National Board of Antiquities and the Kymenlaakso Museum require a building history survey for the maintenance and development of the fortification areas. In addition, since the beginning of 2026, the city of Hamina has been involved as the second implementer in the Sustainable Fortifications project (1.1.2026-30.4.2027) managed by Cursor Oy. The Sustainable Fortifications project plans to develop the Hamina fortification area and Kotka Kymilinna as responsible recreation and tourism destinations in southern Kymenlaakso.
The architectural firm Ark-byroo Oy, which was selected through a competitive process, is a Finnish architectural firm founded in 1998 that specializes in the study, planning and renovation of old properties. The company offers a wide range of expert services in the mapping of cultural environments and archaeological sites, as well as digital documentation. The company's clientele includes the largest public and private property owners in Finland. The city of Hamina has previously commissioned several studies related to the history of the fortress from Ark-byroo Oy.
Funding for the work has been received from the Hamina Cultural Heritage Foundation.
More information is provided by:
Museum Director Paula Kouki, paula.kouki@hamina.fi , TWO TWO WHEN TWO
Architect, Project Manager, Contact Person Ark-byroo Oy Marianna Heikinheimo, marianna.heikinheimo@arkbyroo.fi , +358 50 350 4700
