In the Marshal’s Bootprints – a walking tour

Points of interest outside the walking tour

The wooden main building of the Otava Folk Highschool was completed in 1901 to the drawings of track master Aleksanteri Rytkönen. An additional stone building was designed by architect Martti Vihonen and completed in 1929. During the Winter and Continuation Wars the whole highschool was at the disposal of the Headquarters. In 5.1.-5.3.1940 the HQ’s operational leadership was located at the Otava Folk Highschool thirteen kilometers from Mikkeli. Marshal Mannerheim lived and worked in the additional stone building.

The Kyyhkylä Manor was founded in the 17th century as an estate equipping cavalrymen. In 1927 the manor was turned into Finland’s first rehabilitation centre for war invalids. During the Winter War it housed the organisational and administrative departments and the military police commissioner. At the beginning of the Continuation War the centre accommodated the organisational department.

The Tertti Manor’s main building dates from 1809. Tertti served as a training centre during the extraordinary manoeuvre preceding Winter War. During the war the manor housed the Headquarters’ artillery office. In the Continuation War years a part of the treasurer’s office led by the chief treasurer was located in Tertti. The war history office operated there from March to August 1944. Today the Tertti Manor specialises in farm holidays.

The Annila Manor was founded in 1765 as an estate equipping cavalrymen. In the 19th century it was the childhood home of K.A. Tavaststjerna, the writer. During the Winter War the Home Troops’ staff and the Headquarters’ training department and, in the Continuation War years, the foreign affairs department of the intelligence section operated in Annila. Marshal Mannerheim lived the summer of 1941 by the waters of Anjalanselkä in a villa owned by Dr. Alftan. Today Anjala is a hotel and a golf centre.

The Sairila Royal Demesne was founded in 1556. After 5.1.1940 the former royal demesne housed War Hospital 17 until the end of the Winter War. During the Continuation War a part of the treasurer’s office was located there. The Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of General Staff and the Cheif of the Intelligence Section lived at the manor. Today Sairila serves as a borstal.