Tampere 1918 - The Decisive Battle

Learn about the labor pains of a nation. The decisive battle of the Finnish Civil War was fought in Tampere in the spring of 1918. It was the biggest blood path in the history of the Nordic countries to that date. See the venues and here the stories. During the walk I will show you pictures and maps that will help you to follow the events and get a vivid image of their consequences. You will also see some marks that still remain to remind us from the events that took place over a century ago - if you know where to look for them.

Specialty: the memorial tombstone of Olof Palme who died in the battle (not the Swedish prime minister but his uncle). – What on earth was he doing here during the civil war?

During the walk we also visit the Cathedral and learn about its' role as a sanctuary in the battle.

We can also make the tour with bikes, if You rent a city bike.

You can choose from 3 choices:

1. Cemetery tour = the first attack and the consequences of the battle. (approx. 2,5 km/2 hours)
-> This tour starts and ends in front of Tampere-talo = Tampere Hall.

2. City center tour = the attack to the city center and the consequences of the (approx. 2,5 km/2 hours)
-> This tour starts from Tampere-talo = Tampere Hall and ends in the Central Square.

3. The whole tour = both tours (approx. 5 km/3,5 hours).

You don't have to choose your tour beforehand. You can make the decision when we meet and I have explained a bit more from the tours. The longer tour doesn't cost any more or less than the shorter ones.

Duration: approx. 2 - 4 h
Walking/biking distance: approx. 2,5 - 5 km
Fee: 25 euros if you're alone - 50 euros total for a group of more than one person
Starting time: 10 a.m. or as requested
Starting point: Outside the main entrance of Tampere Hall (= Tampere-talo, Yliopistonkatu 55)
Finishing point: The Central Square and its' surroundings

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During this city walk I’ll tell You stories about the Finnish Civil War, and especially the events that took place in Tampere in the decisive battle. Learn the tales of the victims and the survivors.

I’m a 55+ teacher of Finnish language, literature and culture. I’m interested in history and all kinds of stories - especially the effects of historical events in ordinary people's lives. I enjoy walking and talking. I believe, that you need to know the past to understand the present and imagine about the future.

Jag talar litet svenska också. Ich spreche auch ein bisschen Deutsch. Je parle un peu francais aussi.

Remember to wear good walking shoes.

The tour is prohibited from minors due to the violent nature of the stories and the shocking graphics I show to demonstrate the events.