Exploring Urban Nature and the History of Villa Sinebrychoff (1.5 hours)

Join us on a guided tour on "Karhusaari" - the Bear Island, which holds an intriguing history of famous cultural and architectural landmarks.

The tour begins and ends at the parking lot of the "Laguuni" Watersports Center in Espoo. We will comfortably explore the beautiful landscape of Bear Island on foot, uncovering its many historical layers that provide insight into the past and present.

A significant part of the tour focuses on the history of the Sinebrychoff family, known in Espoo as respected individuals from nearby Hagalund. Mr. Nicolas Sinebrychoff built a magnificent palace with agricultural buildings on the island in the 1890s. Karhusaari was once an urban farmhouse with its own fields, meadows, ornamental gardens, and orchards. At the same time, it served as a splendid venue for social gatherings of ladies and gentlemen, including Mr. Carl Gustav Mannerheim, an officer, commander-in-chief of the Finnish army, and the head of state. Today, the entirety of the estate represents a unique old villa environment and speaks of a forgotten way of life. The villa complex is considered nationally valuable, with the main house, barn, courtyard, and utility garden protected in the zoning plan.

In addition, Bear Island offers visitors a stunning view over the sandy beach to the Gulf of Finland, a fluffy pathway under ancient pine trees, and parts of the fortifications built to protect Helsinki during the Crimean War of 1853-1856. At that time, Finland was a Grand Duchy, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, and the waters and coasts of Finland of war during the Crimean War.

PRICES: 15€ per participant

INCLUDES:

Guided Walk through the urban farmhouse Area (Please note: The main building is currently under renovation)

Nature experience by the sea

Finnish wartime history

REQUIREMENTS:

The total length of the tour is approximately 2.5 km, with a duration of 1.5 hours. During the tour, we will visit places with surfaces that are partly paved with asphalt and partly sandy. There are also some stairs and inclines in certain areas. Restrooms are currently not available during the tour, but there are various services available in the Keilaniemi area where toilets can be used if needed. (Evenio does not take responsibility or liability for the provided services).

PREPARATION: Recommendations: Weather-appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for outdoor activities. Bringing a water bottle is recommended, especially on warm days. Evenio always carries a first aid kit and has first aid training.

ARRIVAL:

Start and end of the tour: Parking lot of the Laguuni Water Sports Center. Parking is free.

How to get to the meeting point? Our meeting point is located between the Länsiväylä highway and Laguuni, the water sports center in Keilaniemi. If you are coming by subway, please disembark at Keilaniemi station. From the station, you will need to walk approximately 500 meters to the parking lot. Bicycle parking is available in Keilaniemi. Drivers can use the parking lot, our meeting point, in front of the Laguuni free of charge. We will walk approximately two hundred meters from Laguuni to the entrance of the estate through a pedestrian and bicycle path and underpass. There are no parking spaces available on the Karhusaari Island.

INSURANCE: Evenio Oy has liability insurance. It is recommended that participants have their own insurance.