Vaasa Attractions

Vaasa was twice destroyed by war (1714, 1800) and again by a great fire in 1852. Thereafter, from 1862 onwards, it was rebuilt on the new coastline, which had moved west as a result of a rise in the level of the land. The rebuilding was directed by the provincial architect, Carl Axel Setterberg; and, as at Pori, the new town was laid out with broad avenues (puistikko) to reduce the fire hazard. Setterberg favored the neo-Gothic style; other architects built in a variety of styles.

In December 1917, after the proclamation of Finnish independence, Vaasa became the temporary capital of the country when the socialist militia seized control of Helsinki and the Senate took refuge in Vaasa. From here General Mannerheim directed operations against the Red Brigades and the Russian forces supporting them. Hence the cross of freedom which figures in the town's coat of arms, as it does in that of Mikkeli.