They were certainly grand and a sign of the owner’s wealth. Many of the villa owners had their own ships sailing the world’s oceans in the 1800s. The master of Hannala, J.V. Snellman, was one of Oulu’s wealthiest shipowners. According to legend, the owners would gaze out to sea from their towers, and when their own ship returned from a long voyage, they would raise a glass of toti (Hot Toddy/Tot) together with the other masters. That’s why these towers were also called toti towers.

To honor this tradition—and inspired by the evening call at Suomenlinna in Helsinki—an Evening Call will sound from the magnificent tower of Villa Hannala every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 6:00 PM throughout the summer.

Come listen to the trumpet’s call in the spirit of a summer evening and raise your own toti in honor of the villa culture of Hietasaari.
Wednesdays & Saturdays (June 4th – August 9th)
6PM-6:10PM