The Age of Independence in Viapori

When the Finnish senate gave the declaration for independence on December 6th in 1917, Finland received independence it had long desired. However, becoming independent brought about political restlessness, and unstable societal conditions led to the right wing (the Whites) starting to form voluntary troops and the left wing (the Reds) organizing into armed red guards. On January 28th in 1918, the red guard declared revolution by raising a red flag on the tower of Helsinki community house. A civil war had broken out. The bitter war lasted almost four months and it ended with the victory parade of the Whites in May 1918. Ca. 80.000 reds were convicted to captivity. Finland's regent P. E. Svinhufvud announced the decision by the senate to call Viapori henceforward Suomenlinna. However, the fortress now named anew began the grimmest period in its history. It became a death camp for red prisoners. The fortress, once a lively home town to Russian officers and their families, was now occupied by 8500 prisoners. The prisoners were placed in every possible location, and at worst it was so crowded the prisoners had to sleep in turns. On Kustaanmiekka, in front of the existing restaurant Walhalla, was the execution location for the prisoners. The state of hygiene was miserable and soon diseases began to spread. The death rates were high. Finally, a majority of the prisoners were pardonned and the camp was decided to be closed in the end of 1918. After this, Suomenlinna started developing as a peaceful garrison. The Naval Academy started operating in Suomenlinna in the 1920s, and it is still located there today. For outsiders, Suomenlinna was long a closed military area. In 1948, entrance passes were repealed and the fortress began to be determinably developed also as a tourist attraction. For the 1952 olympic games in Helsinki the fortress was restored and its travelling services were improved. From then on, Suomenlinna has been one of the most popular tourist and recreation attractions in the country. At present, there are about 900 people living on the islands, enjoying the services of an elementary school, a kindergarden and a library, to name but a few. Suomenlinna is also a Unesco World Heritage site.