Punkaharju is shouting distance from the Russian border. The Punkaharju Trenches were the site of pitched battles between the two nations during the Winter War. The Russians outnumbered the Finns in everything: soldiers, tanks, planes, you name it. While they were not able to win outright, they did manage to force a truce with their enormous neighbor to the east. The restored trenches are a reminder just how bloody this young country's past has been.

All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Daren Willden, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.