Suinula – History, Cultural Landscape and Lapinsaari

Suinula brings together a site of the Finnish Civil War, the protected Markkula estate and a landscape shaped by old buildings and open fields. There are also a variety of outdoor activities: walks along Siitamantie, exercise at the sports field and relaxation in Lapinsaari. When planning your trip, it is worth considering these options according to your interests and the season – from the history of the area to winter touring on skates.

Suinula in five quick facts

• On 31 January 1918, the first major and consequential clash of the Finnish Civil War between the Reds and Whites took place at Markkula; 17 people were killed and 26 injured.
• The protected buildings of the Markkula estate include two main buildings, a sauna and bakehouse, granaries, a stable and barn, as well as a garden and courtyard gates.
• The village hill, with its old buildings and open fields, is part of the valuable Haralanharju landscape area.
• Lapinsaari is connected to the mainland; when the ground is free of snow, the lean-to shelter and campfire site are accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair.
• Suinulan kenttä sports field measures 65 × 45 metres; there is also an outdoor fitness area.

Markkula: history and a protected estate

The events of 1918 in Suinula are closely connected with Markkula. On 31 January, the first major, consequential clash of the Finnish Civil War between the Reds and Whites took place there. After the siege and surrender, 17 people were killed and 26 injured in what is known as the Suinula Massacre, outside the stable of the Markkula house. The Suinula memorial stands along the old road between Kangasala and Orivesi, which is valuable for its transport history.

Markkula is also a manor complex with several different types of buildings. The protected buildings include the new and old main buildings, a sauna and bakehouse, two granaries, a stable and a barn. The courtyard park also has a garden and two gates with pillars. This variety defines the character of the complex: residential buildings, farm buildings and courtyard features form part of a shared historic ensemble.

The surrounding area is also part of the cultural landscape. Together, the manor complex and its courtyard, the nearby Franssila military croft and the surrounding farmland form a valuable cultural landscape. Visitors interested in history can therefore combine remembrance of the events of 1918 with a view of the estate’s architectural setting.

Open fields and views of Lake Vesijärvi

The landscape of Suinula is particularly evident around the village hill: its old buildings and still-open fields are included in the valuable Haralanharju landscape area. Here, fields and buildings together shape the scenery. Its connection to Haralanharju places the village hill within a wider landscape context, without requiring a specific walking route.

When walking along Siitamantie in Suinula-Haviseva, you can enjoy views of Lake Vesijärvi across the fields. This offers a different way to experience the surroundings than visiting historic sites: your gaze turns to open spaces and the lake. If you are planning a trip with children, these different interests can shape your day – history at Markkula, scenery on a walk or outdoor exercise.

Lapinsaari and Suinulan kenttä: outdoor activities

The Lapinsaari recreation area has a lean-to shelter, a campfire site, a rest shelter, a woodshed, a toilet and a boat landing. Some facilities may be maintained seasonally. Lapinsaari is connected to the mainland. When the ground is free of snow, the lean-to shelter and campfire site are accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair. This access condition applies specifically to these two facilities, so ground conditions are important when planning your visit.

Lapinsaari also has its own character in winter: the area is popular with touring skaters then. Suinulan kenttä sports field on Riihenkorventie offers a different way to be active. The grass field measures 65 × 45 metres, and is surrounded by an unofficial athletics track surfaced with brick grit. The options are easy to distinguish: the sports field, running track and exercise equipment are the focus here, while the recreation area facilities and seasonal activity on the ice are the focus there.

The outdoor fitness area at the sports field has step platforms, a balance beam, ropes, cross-lifting bars, an abdominal bench, a dip station and hanging bars. The equipment offers different ways to exercise using your own body weight and to practise balancing. Together with the sports field and unofficial track, it provides a specific place to exercise outdoors – without having to choose a particular sport.

A guided tour in the wider region

In the wider region, the “Tampereen taistelut 1918” tour visits the site and memorial of the Suinula Massacre in Suinula, near Kangasala. The tour lasts about four hours. It can take place on a bus equipped with video technology and booked by the association, or on the visitors’ group’s own bus; tour arrangements may change.

For planning your day, the approximate time required is especially important: this is a guided group tour, not an unrestricted walk-in activity. If you want to learn more about the history of 1918, it offers a different experience from visiting the memorial on your own. As the tour lasts about four hours, plan for it as a separate activity.

Discover more destinations: Kolunkylä, Ikaalinen, Sastamala, Urjala, Parkano, Akaa, Metsäkansa and Viiala.

Suinula FAQ

What happened at Markkula in 1918?

On 31 January 1918, the first major and consequential clash of the Finnish Civil War between the Reds and Whites took place there. In what is known as the Suinula Massacre, 17 people were killed and 26 injured.

Which buildings are part of the protected Markkula estate?

The buildings include the old and new main buildings, a sauna and bakehouse, two granaries, a stable and a barn. The courtyard park also includes a garden and two gates with pillars.

What is there in the Lapinsaari recreation area?

Facilities include a lean-to shelter, a campfire site, a rest shelter, a woodshed, a toilet and a boat landing. Some facilities may be maintained seasonally. When the ground is free of snow, the lean-to shelter and campfire site are accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair.

What opportunities for exercise does Suinulan kenttä offer?

The sports field measures 65 × 45 metres. An unofficial track surfaced with brick grit runs around the grass field; the outdoor fitness area has, among other things, a balance beam, ropes, an abdominal bench, a dip station and hanging bars.

Where can you see Lake Vesijärvi while out walking?

Along Siitamantie in Suinula-Haviseva, you can enjoy views of Lake Vesijärvi across the fields. Lapinsaari is popular with touring skaters in winter.

How long is the “Tampereen taistelut 1918” tour?

The guided regional tour lasts about four hours and visits the site and memorial of the Suinula Massacre. Options include a bus with video technology booked by the association or the visitors’ group’s own bus; arrangements may change.

Go to the main travel overview: Pirkanmaa.