A Swedish fortress became home to Finnish residents

A closer look

Most people's daily commute doesn't involve dodging 18th-century cannons, but the residents of Suomenlinna aren't most people. Originally built by the Swedish crown to keep the Russians at bay, this massive island military complex is now a UNESCO site that happens to house hundreds of ordinary Finnish civilians. Tourists wander through massive functioning dry docks and ancient artillery bunkers while locals casually push strollers and haul their groceries back to their literal fortress apartments.