Border General´s cabin

The cabin, built of pine snags (standing dead or dying trees), was used  during the Continuation War, a conflict between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II.

After the outbreak of the Continuation War on 25 June  1941, the Finns advanced rapidly and regained the  concessions of post-Winter War (a conflict between Finland and the Soviet Union from 30 November 1939 to 13 March 1940). They continued the offensive past the 1939 border deep into Soviet Karelia, where Raappana’s 14th Division occupied the village of Rukajärvi in September. 

The advance was halted soon afterward, and the conflict entered the trench warfare phase. This allowed political leadership to take stock of the developments in the other theatres of the war. 

Because the Front was consolidated and the overall situation remained relatively calm, a decision was made to build a proper facility where the operational commander could exercise his duties. A location on the shore of Lake Novinkajärvi in the village of Tiiksa was selected for the purpose. 

Construction workers with a wide range of special skills served in Raappana’s division. Thanks to their efforts, construction proceeded at pace. The first phase of the cabin became available to Raappana in the autumn of 1941. Work then continued with the addition of two more rooms. 

Construction resumed in 1944 with the completion of the third phase, a large extension called “underworld” due to its position on the hillside slightly below the main building. However, joy was short-lived. 

In June 1944 the Soviet Union launched a full-scale offensive that changed the military situation completely. In anticipation of things to come, the cabin was dismantled in August. The timbers were trucked to Lieksa, where the building was re-erected on Lake Suomujärvi for use as a clubhouse of a hunters’ association. 

When Patvinsuo National Park was established in the 1980s, the removal of Rukapirtti became necessary again. The new location was found at Parppeinvaara, where the cabin was transformed into a museum to commemorate Raappana’s life and work and was named Border General's Cabin.