Utö is also an island in Stockholm archipelago in Sweden.
Utö is an island far out in the Archipelago Sea, with its lighthouse welcoming ships arriving to south-western Finland from the Baltic Sea. It lacks wood or farmland, the village ducking into the little shelter given by the rocks.
Utö is the southernmost inhabited island in Finland, from the mainland, by the main fairway from the Baltic Sea to Turku and Naantali. As such it was important early on, with maritime pilots inhabiting the island since the 18th century and the first lighthouse built in 1753. The current lighthouse was built in 1814 and its current outfit is from 1935. The island was shared between the four pilot families.
The island was first mentioned in a letter by king Gustav Vasa in 1550 saying that there is a stone cairn on the island. A dutch nautical guide from 1592 knows that the island called Wttoy has a mast with a barrel and one must circumnavigate the island from west. A pilot station was established in 1697.
The island got heavy coastal artillery during World War I. The garrison was turned into a hotel in 2005. The island had long been a popular destination, but this made the island much more accessible. Even though the military personnel left the island, there are still some equipment and the cannons are ready to use.
Due to the pilot station, lighthouse and military there is some infrastructure on the island, such as a small primary school and a library, making the island ideal for people wishing to stay or live far from everything. There are a few dozens year-round inhabitants but many more people in summertime.
The island belonged to the municipality of Korpo, which now has merged into Pargas.
As an island far out it has been involved in several tragic accidents, the most famous being the coastal defence ship Ilmarinen, which was sunk by a mine in World War II, the shipwreck of the US freighter m/s Park Victory on nearby rocks in 1947 and the sinking of cruise ferry m/s Estonia in the open sea in 1994.
The climate is relatively mild because of the sea, but wind and moisture make the temperature feel colder.
- The barren landscape and the sea.
- Birds. As the island is the last before the sea, many migrating birds rest here before or after the tough journey, making it one of the best birdwatching locations in Finland. Birds life is rich except for midwinter.
- Utö Lighthouse. Guided tours daily in summertime. There is an old chapel in the top floor but no public access to the lantern room. tour €10.
- Utö hembygdsmuseum Stenhuset. 24.6.-4.8. Wed 15-18, Sun 11-13, other days 16-18. A small museum telling about life on Utö. The building itself was built in 1753 and it is the oldest remaining building on the island. adults €3, children €1.50.
- The (new) chapel. always open. A new chapel was built in 1907-1909 because some of the oldest islanders couldn't climb to the chapel in the lighthouse anymore. At the altar there is a chandelier with the names of the ten men lost with Park Victory and thank you letters from the men rescued and the US embassy are framed hung on the wall of the chapel. Service is held once a year, usually at the Midsummer Sunday. free.
- The graveyard. Sand was brought for the graveyard in 1962, earlier the deceased were transported to Jurmo. There is a memorial for those taken by the sea. On the meadow next to the graveyard there is a lonely grave of a German sailor named Buchwald. His body was found on the shore in December 1916.
- Draken memorial. A monument to the victims of Draken av Nystad shipwreck. The vessel was destroyed in a severe storm in November 12th 1929. The sailors managed to the islet just hundred meters away but villagers' attempts to help them were hopeless. When the storm ceased, only few men were alive.
The barren landscape and the sea.
Birds. As the island is the last before the sea, many migrating birds rest here before or after the tough journey, making it one of the best birdwatching locations in Finland. Birds life is rich except for midwinter.
Utö Lighthouse. Guided tours daily in summertime. There is an old chapel in the top floor but no public access to the lantern room. tour €10.
Utö hembygdsmuseum Stenhuset. 24.6.-4.8. Wed 15-18, Sun 11-13, other days 16-18. A small museum telling about life on Utö. The building itself was built in 1753 and it is the oldest remaining building on the island. adults €3, children €1.50.
The (new) chapel. always open. A new chapel was built in 1907-1909 because some of the oldest islanders couldn't climb to the chapel in the lighthouse anymore. At the altar there is a chandelier with the names of the ten men lost with Park Victory and thank you letters from the men rescued and the US embassy are framed hung on the wall of the chapel. Service is held once a year, usually at the Midsummer Sunday. free.
The graveyard. Sand was brought for the graveyard in 1962, earlier the deceased were transported to Jurmo. There is a memorial for those taken by the sea. On the meadow next to the graveyard there is a lonely grave of a German sailor named Buchwald. His body was found on the shore in December 1916.
Draken memorial. A monument to the victims of Draken av Nystad shipwreck. The vessel was destroyed in a severe storm in November 12th 1929. The sailors managed to the islet just hundred meters away but villagers' attempts to help them were hopeless. When the storm ceased, only few men were alive.
- Enjoy the peace.
- Rowing boats for hire.
- SCUBA diving to Park Victory, a Victory class steamship built during World War II, with home port in Newport, Virginia, lost during the Christmas Night 1947. Diving not arranged by the locals, contact diving clubs elsewhere. Parts of the ship risk collapse, so due care is required.
There is a small grocery store on the island: Utö handel. Beside normal produce it sells a beer dedicated to the island and some souvenirs, such as picture-heavy trilingual books about the island or the Archipelago Sea. There are more souvenirs for sale at Hannas Horisont.
- Utö handel, +358 2 464-7128. Open year round twice a day about two hours each time. Check the times from Facebook. Groceries and some hardware. Mail service.
Utö handel, +358 2 464-7128. Open year round twice a day about two hours each time. Check the times from Facebook. Groceries and some hardware. Mail service.
- Utö havshotel, Enskärsvägen 23, +358 20-730-8090. 8:00–10:00, 12:00–14:00 and 17:00–18:00/18:00–20:00 (winter/summer); Sundays only for groups. Breakfast €12 for non-guests, lunch €14, dinner buffet €28 when available, also à la carte.
- Hannas horisont, +358 400 143 814. Café
Utö havshotel, Enskärsvägen 23, +358 20-730-8090. 8:00–10:00, 12:00–14:00 and 17:00–18:00/18:00–20:00 (winter/summer); Sundays only for groups. Breakfast €12 for non-guests, lunch €14, dinner buffet €28 when available, also à la carte.
Hannas horisont, +358 400 143 814. Café
- Jurmo, one of the islands on the way out to Utö, with seal safaris and a very special nature.
- Gotland. Utö is the last harbour for yachts venturing out on the Baltic Sea proper, and Gotland is a quite popular destination. If you are aiming for southern Sweden, it is a convenient waypoint.