Mannerheim’s lengthiest stay in Ukraine was from September 1917 to December 1917. Mannerheim had travelled to Odesa in September because of an injury he got falling off his horse. Mannerheim considered himself lucky in this situation because having to travel to Odesa to recover meant that he could take a break from his duties that were getting more difficult by the day.
In Odesa, Mannerheim stayed in
Londonskaya Hotel, and underwent treatment at a military hospital in Kuyalnik.
“Here it is quite peaceful and comfortable. The hotel, as you know, is outstanding, even though getting food is quite difficult and it is expensive. I have a nice room on the 3rd floor with a delightful view over the Black Sea.”, - wrote Mannerheim in his letter from Odesa to Sophie Mannerheim, dated 21 September 1917.
Among the occupants of the hotel was the British Red Cross representative for the Romanian front, Lady Muriel Paget. Lady Paget invited Mannerheim for tea alongside with some other acquaintances. When arriving for tea Mannerheim was surprised to see that the lady had also invited a fortune-teller. Mannerheim agreed, though he was a bit sceptical, to have his future told to him. He was keen to know how it would go for his younger daughter in life as he was worried for her future.
The fortune-teller could tell Mannerheim that both his daughters were going to be fine and also had something interesting to say about his own career. Mannerheim describes it in his memoirs:
“I would soon make a long voyage after which I would accept a higher command position than I had had before, and would lead an army to victory. I would be praised greatly but thereafter I would voluntarily leave my position. Soon I would still go out west again to two big countries to carry out important duties, that would succeed well. From this journey I would return to an even higher position, but again my heavy-duty position would be short. Years later I would still rise to a high position...”.
It seems that the mystery fortune-teller was quite right about Mannerheim’s future, as all these predictions came true afterwards.
Today
Londonskaya Hotel is one of the most interesting sights of Odesa. The hotel has its own unique tourist tour around the rooms where famous people used to stay, including Marshal Mannerheim.