COMING UP: Guided Tour "Border to Border - Porkkala 1944–1956" (4,5 h)

After the end of the War the USSR imposed, among other demands, one particular condition: the areas West of Helsinki were to be emptied of all population and leased to the USSR for 50 years, for the purpose of establishing a Soviet naval base. Finland had no choice but to agree and evacuated over 7000 people, over 8000 animals, Food and Supplies in a few days time. Against the expectation the USSR returned it already in 1956, due to geopolitical developments and high upkeep cost. 

The Tour starts and ends in parking lot of the Kauklahti Railway Station. Parking is for free. Kauklahti is situated appr. 30 minutes away from Helsinki Main Railway Station by commuter train. We travel in a bus comfortably through a beautiful landscape of the former Naval Base area. After almost 70 Years the lease time is still present but hidden in many historical layers throughout the Area. The Tour Guide unveils bunkers, trenches, sport stadions, railway tracks, airfields and describes memories of local People. Concrete samples of the Naval Base remindings will be visited in Kirkkonummi, Siuntio and Degerby. 

Tour includes visits to:

Eliasvillan - a collection of sovjet artefacts and photographs 

Kehla Stallcafé - Coffee and Landlords Stories

Sjundby Manor House -area with military orders written in Cyrillic script on the walls of the dairy house

Halvdels Artillery Bunker

Pikkala Triumphal Arch

General Sergei Kabanovs Artillery Road Russian Cemetery in Kolsari

The Pricing:

Adults 89€ incl. VAT 24%

Seniors and students 79€ incl. VAT 24%

Price includes

A guided tour & transportation

Coffee/Tea and local homemade cake or similar

Visits to many sights (mentioned on description)

Payment with ePassi is available.

Note! Guidance is in finnish language.

The tour will proceed with a minimum of 30 participants.

Evenio has liability insurance, and we recommend participants have their own accident insurance.

Accessibility: 

During the Tour we visit sites with surfaces that are partially paved with asphalt, partially sandy or covered with cobblestones. In some places we also have stairs and thresholds. Toilets can be found in the museum and in the café and are available in bigger buses.

Recommendations:

Weather-appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for outdoor activities. A water bottle is recommended, especially on a warm day.

Warm Welcome!