Mannerheim Statue, Tampere, Finland

The statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (1867-1951), Marshal of Finland, was made by the sculptor Evert Porila in 1939. The statue is located at the hill, where Mannerheim watched the occupation of Tampere in the Finnish Civil War (1918). He was commander of the white army, which occupied Tampere from red guards after the bloody battle .

The statue was originally planned to be situated in the centre of Tampere, but the Second World War delayed the project. Mannerheim himself also wished not to erect the statue during his lifetime. After his death in 1953 the project was started again, but the public opinion was against the central situation of statue. Finally the statue was situated to the current place in 1956.

C. G. E. Mannerheim causes still quite contradictory emotions in Tampere, because he is remembered as the "slaughterer of Tampere" (lot of local people were killed in the battle of Tampere or executed later in prison camps in 1918). The statue has been damaged by vandalism several times.

User Reviews

Kari Söderqvist (9 months ago)
The roads to the statue are currently under construction. A nice nature trail can be found near the route. It is more difficult to get there by bike than by foot, and it is currently not possible to get to the statue with a wheelchair or for example a rollator. The view in the direction of the statue's gaze is exquisite and thoughtful. In the immediate vicinity there are nice benches where you can sit.

Data (2 years ago)
very gud

Benno M. (2 years ago)
very nice place to stay. You can see right into the center of Tampere.

Aukusti Mannerheim (3 years ago)
Patsas keskellä metsää.

Jarmo Laakso (3 years ago)
Difficult to walk

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Mannerheim Statue

Address

Details

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater