It was built in 1790s as a part of a larger South-Eastern Finland fortification system to protect Saint Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire.
Liikkala is located at the crossroad of four roads from Anjala, Hamina, Kouvola and Kaipiainen.
During the Hats' War of 1741–1743, Russians built a military camp in the area, and the oldest fortifications might be from that time.
During the Russo-Swedish War of 1788–1790, the importance of the fortifications became evident as the Swedish troops tried to push through Liikkala towards Hamina.
[1] After the Finnish War, the border was moved to the Gulf of Bothnia, and the fortress system lost its importance and was eventually abandoned.