Hakkapeliitta's Homecoming, Military memorial statue in Lahti, Finland
Hakkapeliitta's Homecoming is a bronze sculpture by Pentti Papinaho created in 1975 that shows two Finnish cavalry soldiers on horseback. The work stands in Marianpuisto in downtown Lahti and depicts the riders in a pose suggesting their return.
The monument honors light cavalry soldiers who served under Swedish King Gustav II Adolf during the Thirty Years' War from 1618 to 1648. These riders were known for their swift attacks and played an important role in northern European military history.
The statue depicts the Hakkapeliitta cavalry, a mounted unit that held a special place in Finnish military history. Visitors see a monument to soldiers whose legacy remained alive in Finnish memory across the centuries.
The statue is located in Marianpuisto and is easily accessible on foot from downtown Lahti. There are benches and seating areas around the park and it is an open space you can visit at any time.
The sculpture was originally placed at Lahti Hospital in 1975 and was relocated to its current park location in 1991. This move reflected a decision to make the work more accessible to the public in a central location.
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