Paldiski & Pakri Cape

- Paldiski and Pakri Cape are located 80 kilometers south-east from Hanko. The area guarded the southern end of the so-called closure of Gulf of Finland. The naval base of Hanko guarded the northern end of the closure. The idea of this closure was to prevent naval traffic into the Gulf of Finland and to the area where Leningrad was situated. This idea is an old one and during the First World War, Russians carried out this idea, by building the Naval Fortress of Peter the Great. The area of Paldiski and Pakri Cape wasn't opened for civilians until after Estonia regained its independency and Russian military units left the area. The last Russian warship left from Paldiski harbour in August 1994. There is a huge amount of ruins in the area, which relate to the military history. The sheer amount of military ruins, makes it difficult sometimes to see what ruin belongs to what period of time. The first fortifications in the area were started to construct in 1718. Pictures have been taken on 3rd of December to 4th of December 2005.