Suinula: History, Estate Culture and Landscape

Suinula combines a striking history with a rural cultural landscape and outdoor experiences. Markkula, the open fields and views across the farmland give the area its distinctive character. When looking for a holiday apartment, consider whether you’d like to focus on discovering historic places, spending time outdoors or experiencing both sides of the area.

Fields, Estate Landscape and Views

The village hill of Suinula, with its old buildings and still-open fields, is part of the valuable Haralanharju landscape area. The buildings and the cultivated landscape together form part of the area’s character. A walk along Siitamantie in Suinula-Haviseva offers views across the fields towards Lake Vesijärvi.

The Markkula manor estate is also part of this cultural landscape: together with the nearby Franssila soldiers’ cottage and the surrounding farmland, it forms a valuable cultural landscape. The estate’s protected buildings include the new and old main buildings, a sauna and bakehouse, two granaries, a stable and a barn. The estate park also includes a garden and two gates with pillars. The different buildings and features of the estate make Markkula an experience as a whole, rather than focusing attention on just one house.

Markkula and the History of 1918

On 31 January 1918, the first major and consequential confrontation of the Finnish Civil War between the Reds and the Whites took place at Markkula in Suinula. After a siege and surrender, 17 people were killed and 26 injured in what became known as the Suinula Massacre, in front of the stable at Markkula House. The specific location and the recorded casualty figures give this chapter of local history a clear historical context.

The Suinula memorial stands along the old road between Kangasala and Orivesi, which is valuable for its transport history. Those interested in the events can consider Markkula and the memorial as separate points of historical reference: the events took place here, while the memorial commemorates the massacre.

A Guided Tour to the Site

The regional tour “Tampereen taistelut 1918” (Battles of Tampere 1918) visits the site and memorial of the Suinula Massacre in Suinula, near Kangasala. It lasts about four hours and takes place either on a video-equipped bus chartered by the association or on the visitors’ own bus. The Suinula stop is part of a guided group tour and is not an unrestricted opportunity to drop by spontaneously. Check with the tour operator for current availability and tour arrangements.

Activities at the Sports Field and in Lapinsaari

Suinulan kenttä sports field on Riihenkorventie measures 65 × 45 metres. An informal athletics track surfaced with brick screenings runs around the grass field. The outdoor fitness area there has step platforms, a balance beam, ropes, crossbars, a sit-up bench, a dip station and hanging bars. This sports field offers both a grass playing field and equipment for outdoor exercise.

Lapinsaari recreation area has a 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 shelter and campfire site are accessible by pram and wheelchair; this is an important condition to consider when planning your visit. In winter, Lapinsaari is popular with touring skaters. This offers a seasonal contrast to walks with views across the fields and the historical attractions around Markkula.

These different experiences can help guide your choice of accommodation: Markkula offers estate culture and the history of 1918, Siitamantie offers views across the fields, and Lapinsaari offers outdoor recreation with seasonal features. Consider which focus suits your trip before choosing a holiday apartment in Suinula.

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For the main travel overview: Pirkanmaa.