Step back in time and uncover a forgotten chapter of Finnish history.
At the end of the Second World War, Finland was faced with several challenging demands from the Soviet Union. One of the most remarkable conditions was the evacuation and leasing of a large area west of Helsinki to the USSR for 50 years to establish a Soviet naval base. With no real choice, Finland complied, evacuating over 7,000 people, 8,000 animals, and vast amounts of food and supplies—all within just a few days. Surprisingly, due to shifting geopolitics and the high cost of maintaining the base, the USSR returned the area in 1956, decades before the lease was set to expire.
This unique tour begins and ends in Helsinki, as we travel comfortably by minivan or bus—approximately 30 minutes west—to the area of the former naval base. Today, nearly 70 years later, remnants of this era remain, though many are hidden beneath layers of history.
Your guide will transport you back to the WWII era, unveiling bunkers, trenches, abandoned sports stadiums, railway tracks, and airfields. Along the way, you’ll hear stories and personal memories from local people that bring this extraordinary history to life. Concrete traces of the Soviet presence will be explored in Kirkkonummi, Siuntio, and Degerby—revealing how this once-forgotten naval base shaped the region and its people.
The tour includes the following visits:
Manor grounds where military orders in Cyrillic script are visible on the walls
Artillery bunkers
Triumphal arch and General Sergei Kabanov's artillery road
Russian cemetery
Included in the price:
Guide services throughout the entire trip
Bus transportation
Additional services:
Lunch and/or coffee break
Museum visit (specific to the lease period of this area)
The departure location can be arranged separately. The maximum group size is 30 Guests.
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