This tour takes us through the local events in Kirkkonummi in early 1918, during the Finnish Civil War, and provides insight into the challenges and course of events during Finland's struggle for independence. We will explore what is meant by the Battles of Kirkkonummi—who was involved, what happened, where, and when. The tour will also place these events within the broader context of the First World War and the Russian Civil War, highlighting how global conflicts influenced the situation in Finland.
We will examine Finland's status as a Grand Duchy under Russia and the efforts to Russify the nation, as well as the fear of losing autonomy that spurred the founding of various associations and societies, including local heritage and youth societies and temperance movements. Additionally, we will discuss the formation of workers' associations, which aimed to improve working conditions for laborers, and the establishment of the Kirkkonummi Civil Guard.
The tour will be led by freelance historian Henri Rantanen, Master of Philosophy, alongside with Petra Vairimaa M.A., a local authorised guide. During the tour, there will also be opportunities to discuss and ask questions, and we will do our best to provide answers.
The tour includes the following content and visits:
Ragvalds, in bus
The Red Guards' success in the early stages of the war and their advance in Uusimaa
The Red Guards’ armored trains and military superiority: four Russian cannons and machine guns brought to Kirkkonummi
The Red Terror
The beginning of the siege of Sigurds
Ingels Monument, visit
The White Guards’ defensive positions and the events of the first two days of the siege
The third day of the siege: the Red Guards’ breakthrough and the White Guards’ decision to retreat
Wohls, visit
The Red Cross operations and Biaudet
The escape route of the White Guards
Sonnimäki, in bus
The dramatic battles at Sonnimäki
Masala Grave Monument, visit
Workers’ demands and other causes leading to the war
The White Terror
Jorvas Västergård, in bus
How the escape ended
Mäkiluoto and imprisonment
Red Kirkkonummi
The arrival of the Germans and Pellinge forces in Kirkkonummi
1918 Memorial, Church Yard, visit
The memorial
The end of the war and Finland’s reunification
Included in the price:
Guide services throughout the entire trip
Bus transportation
Tour start:
Parking lot next to outdoor sport area in Kirkkonummi.
Tour end:
Kirkkonummi Church next to the library "Fyyri".