Reposaari fortress is a coastal defence system in Reposaari, Pori, built in the 1930s. The fortress is situated in the southern part of the island, west of the Reposaari village. In total, the area covers approximately 20 hectares.
The fortress comprises two gun emplacements, two ammunition warehouses, three crew and medical bunkers, fire control post, observation tower and trenches connecting them. The concrete gun emplacements, ammunition warehouses and fire control post are original. The wooden bunkers and observation tower were rebuilt in the 1990s and 2000s, as were the timber walls of the connecting trenches.
The fortress was originally the coastal battery of the Reposaari naval civil guard, and it was built by volunteers in 1935. The construction of the battery was funded by Werner Hacklin, and as far as is known, it is the only privately funded coastal battery in Finland. Its purpose was to protect the port of Pori, as well as the city itself. The battery was controlled by the naval civil guard until the mobilisation of autumn 1939, when the Finnish Defence Forces assumed its control. At the same time, the battery was expanded into a fortress.
During the Winter War, the coastal batteries of the area succeeded in downing a Russian bomber west of Reposaari. The Reposaari battery also harassed the enemy squadrons carrying out mining and bombing flights on several occasions.
During the Continuation War, the fortress was armed with four Swedish 76 K 02 field guns. There were three Canet 152/45 C coastal guns outside the fortress. In addition, there were two 87 K 95 field guns in the vicinity. However, they did not take part in the war effort.
The fortress was under the control of the Defence Forces until 1964, when it was disarmed. Two Canet guns remained, with test firing taking place until the late 1980s. Both guns remain in place preserved. The deteriorated fortress was renovated for the first time in 1992 and again in 2007–2008.
Author’s recommendation
Reposaari Fortress Park also includes the Canet battery and a floodlighting station on the north-western side of Junnilanjärvi. The fort park reflects the heavy weaponry that once existed in the area.
You may see deer in the area.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
- Follow general safety rules
- Tree roots and stairs of the view tower can be slippery in rainy weather.
Tips and hints
- In nature, you are a guest of honour. Please follow the hiking etiquette so that our precious natural sites can be preserved for the future! Read more at https://www.nationalparks.fi/hikinginfinland/visitorguidelines
- There is a beach and a campfire site near the route
Remember that we have a lot to offer.
- The animals and nesting birds must not be disturbed.
- The removal of stones from the beach is prohibited.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The guided tour of the Reposaari fortress starts at gun emplacement number two (2). You can find more information about the history of the fortress on the information board next to the gun emplacement, and there is another board inside with details on the guns used at the emplacement. From there, the tour continues along a connecting trench to the crew bunker (3) and ammunition warehouse (4). The door to the ammunition warehouse is located north of the sturdy protective structures that are visible from the path. The next stop is the medical bunker (5), which is protected with a thick layer of dirt, and then the ammunition warehouse (6) of gun emplacement number one, the crew bunker (7), and finally the actual gun emplacement number one (8).
The tour continues along a trench to the observation tower (9) and, from there, to the sturdy fire control post (10). You can complete the tour by following either the trench or path back to the fortress gates (1).
There are information boards along the tour with more details on the history and significance of each site.
- Gate
- Gun emplacement 2
- Crew bunker of gun emplacement number 2 and the connecting trench
- Ammunition warehouse of gun emplacement number 2
- Medical bunker / first aid station
- Ammunition warehouse of gun emplacement number 1
- Crew bunker of gun emplacement 1 and the connecting trench)
- Gun emplacement 1
- Observation tower
- Fire control post
Public transport
You can reach Reposaari by bus. Bus number 43 runs to Reposaari on weekdays. On weekends, bus 34R runs to Reposaari and in summer 2023 also bus 44. Check timetables at: https://porinlinjat.fi/
By road
You can drive your own car to Reposaari, 28900 Pori. Drive along the gravel road past Junnila, Takaranta 9, and the gate to the Fortress will be on the left side of the road. There is a parking area on the right-hand side of the road opposite the gate.
Parking
There is a parking area in front of the gate to the Fortress, with parking for a few cars.
Coordinates
Equipment
You should bring comfortable clothes, good outdoor shoes, snacks and a drink. Binoculars are a good addition for watching out for birds in the wild. There are no lights in the dugouts, so a torch is useful for exploring them.
We recommend downloading the 112 Finland app in case something happens along the way.
Localization
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 9 Waypoints
- 9 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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