Fascinating History of The Wild West of Finland in Lapua

The Kosola House in Lapua has an exceptionally fascinating history. For example of strong entrepreneurs, the ‘häjy’ knife-fighter culture that plagued the province, strong agriculture and the Awakening movement. It also includes the spirit of rebellion: the recruitment of Jaeger volunteers related to Finland’s efforts to gain independence, and the anti-communist Lapua Movement in the tumultuous first years of independence.

The group may choose a special theme on which the story will focus:

Finland’s wild west: corruption and the Lapua Law intended to harness corruption, the stabbing committed by Iisakki Kosola and his sentence in Turku Castle, as well as about the time when Adolf Hägglund, the famous ‘ugly sheriff’ of Kauhava, stayed in the house.

Fatherland’s turbulent years: the days before independence when the house served as a jaeger post and a place to hide weapons. With the advent of the Lapua Movement, the house was a focal point on the nation’s political map known to all contemporaries.

Spiritual life: Vihtori Kosola´s spiritual experiences as a ‘behind-bars jaeger’ in St. Petersburg, the decades of the house as headquarters of the Awakening movement, and the volunteer ‘carpenter Christians’ in the neighbouring eastern countries.

Kosola House as a building heritage site: history of the old, big, red Ostrobothnian peasant houses. How was the restoration of Kosola House made, what are the organic and renewable materials used, and what is the wisdom behind building tradition which could be still used in new houses.

General presentation of the Kosola House and the personal history of its residents.

Prices for guided story tours in 2024 for groups of at least 20 people:

30 minutes: General presentation of the Kosola House €10.00/person

60 minutes: general presentation and a special theme €14.00/person

90 minutes: general presentation and two special themes €18.00/person

A meal and/or coffee at the Kosola tavern can be added to the programme.