Esplanade Park. Liesjärvi National Park

Esplanade Park is a magnificent linden grove with numerous alleys, monuments, restaurants and a summer theater. The park is located in the central part of the capital. The park was laid out in the 20s of the last century, which makes it one of the oldest parks in the capital. He almost immediately gained popularity among local residents.

The park is one of best places for cultural leisure and just relaxation. Thanks to its magnificent alleys, refreshing fountains and musical performances on the summer stage, it is very popular among tourists.

The monument to the famous Finnish poet Ludwig Runeberg, author of the Finnish national anthem, deserves special attention. It is also worth visiting the old restaurant "Capelli".

Esplanadi Boulevard Park

Esplanadi is a picturesque city park located in the heart of the city of Helsinki. Both citizens and guests of the Finnish capital love to spend time in the park - it is simply an ideal place for walks and relaxation.

Esplanadi is the most a real oasis, sandwiched between two busy streets - North and South Esplanade.

It is also one of the oldest parks in the capital - it was designed by the architect Engel and first appeared on the city map back in the twenties of the 19th century.

The boulevard is surrounded on all sides by beautiful medieval buildings and architectural monuments. There is also something to see in the park itself - here the passerby will find well-groomed flower beds, shady linden alleys, picnic fields, fountains and great amount various statues and monuments.

In general, the park on the boulevard can easily be called one of the most famous and beautiful attractions of the city of Helsinki. Clean air and wildlife attract a lot of tourists and vacationers here.

Esplanade Park

The park stretches 400 meters in length. Tall trees (mostly shady linden trees) are planted along the entire perimeter and beautiful flower beds are arranged.

Since 1867, the famous Kappeli restaurant has been operating in the park with a stage for performances by artists who entertain visitors to the Esplanade every day. Under the canopy of park trees there are many monuments to historical figures. For example, in the very center there is a statue of the author of the words of the national anthem - Johan Ludwig Runeberg.

Another asset of the park is the Swedish Theater, built in 1966. Its appearance has remained virtually unchanged to this day thanks to the careful restoration of the facade and preservation of the interior.

The Esplanade is open 24 hours a day. Free admission.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park

Linnanmäki Amusement Park, located in the center of the Finnish capital, Helsinki, was opened in 1950 and is the oldest amusement park in the city.

There are more than 40 attractions in the park, the most popular of which for more than half a century are such as the “Raging Flow” with a length of 370 meters, the “Roller Coaster” with a length of 960 meters and a height of 24 meters, and “Turning Cars” with a speed of 60 kilometers. at one o'clock.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park also offers a fear room, a 3D cinema, a Toy Museum, a two-story aquarium, restaurants, cafes and shops.

Esplanade Park

Esplanade Park is a favorite vacation spot for residents of the Finnish capital. People simply called him “expa”. The date of its creation dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when Helsinki was just beginning to expand.

The center of public life in the park can be called the Capelli restaurant, built back in 1867. Since then, the restaurant has been rebuilt many times. IN summer time there are daily performances here, both musical and theatrical.

The real scandal broke out in 1908, when a monument to a sea nymph was unveiled in the park in front of the general public. The naked girl shocked intelligent Finns so much that many demanded that the monument be immediately demolished. But despite the riot of the crowd, art prevailed, and today the sea nymph is one of the main decorations of the park.

Liesjärvi National Park

National Park Liesjärvi is a traditional Finnish farm where you can wander along paths around lakes and watch birds and animals.

In the summer, Korteniemi Farm is home to livestock traditionally raised on Finnish farms: cows, horses, sheep and poultry. Over the fields where traditional ways, without the use of chemicals and pesticides, vegetables and grains are grown, swallows flutter.

Waterfowl that inhabit the park's large pristine lakes include the graceful whooper swan, considered the national bird of Finland, as well as the black-throated loon and gray-cheeked grebe. The natural forests of Liesjärvi Park are open to visitors all year round.

Liesjärvi Park has approximately 30 km of signposted paths, including paths leading to the Häme Visitor Centre, which houses a museum of local wildlife and a cozy café.

Torronsuo National Park

Torronsuo is a national park that was founded in Finland in 1990. It is located in the south of the country, 100 kilometers from the capital Helsinki. The area of ​​Torronsuo is small: only 25,500 square kilometers. The Finnish government promptly decided to take protection of these untouched lands, without waiting for their natural drainage. A particularly majestic sight is Torronsuo from a bird's eye view. You can view the area from such a height using the high observation tower in Quillamo.

The basis of the park is made up of raised bogs with a thick layer of turf. Moreover, as scientists have discovered, the thickest layers of peat in Finland are located here, up to 12 meters. Several species of butterflies live within Torronsuo. And there are even more species of birds that live here: ducks, loons, petrels, pheasants, storks, ibises and herons. And this is not a complete list of the local inhabitants. Some species of birds and insects are typical for northern regions Finland, and in the south of the country they are found only within this park.

If you get to Torronsuo in the summer season, you can taste delicious wild berries - blueberries, cloudberries and cranberries. When exploring the park, you should not leave the paved trails, as you can easily fall into a swamp.


Sights of Helsinki

To the Red Well Square along Torkkelinkatu (now the Avenue of the “Leader of the World Proletariat”). Shady alleys of the park

They attract lovers of both morning jogging and evening gatherings on benches with cans of dubious liquor in their hands. Some residents of the surrounding houses use it as a restroom for their four-legged friends, and children squeal excitedly on the rides. Many Vyborg residents, who in childhood collected acorns under the mighty oak trees of the park,

may notice that Esplanade Park is not going through the best times right now. better times. The first thing that is striking is the reduction in the area of ​​lawns, due to the increase in the area of ​​paths, trails, paths... which are spontaneously trampled in all directions by various “individuals”
which are united by the awareness that a straight line is the shortest distance between points.


As a result, the area of ​​trampled land in the park currently exceeds the area of ​​lawns.

And all that remains of the lawns themselves is their name. Weeds grow, mainly dandelions.

The remains of the lawns are eaten by the horse.

However, maybe this is some kind of “advanced” lawn mower?
Imagine a similar picture, say, in the Summer Garden of St. Petersburg.
This “lawn mower” is also used by children for rides.

Along Torkkelinkatu, a large linden alley stretches across the entire park.

In total, about 120 linden trees grow on it, and the age of these trees is almost 150 years. Many of them are in critical condition.

What will replace them? No one is seriously addressing the issue of cultivating trees in the park. This spring we planted several seedlings,

but they will become real trees in 70 years. By this time, most of the old lindens will have disappeared; even now only stumps remain of them after pruning the branches.

It is possible that this was done for safety reasons for the cars that park along Torkkelinkatu in unimaginable numbers. Was it even worth opening the avenue of the “leader of the world proletariat” for vehicle traffic?

Here he is, in the background, behind the sculpture of the “Forest Boy,” whom it would be nice to “take to the bathhouse.”

The fence was erected by a well-known Vyborg company with the aim of recreating that same “Esplanade Pavilion”. Yes, it looks like the guys were blown away, but the fence remained.


By the way, this “attraction” is adjacent to another “masterpiece” of Vyborg - the pink falling fence,

which, in turn, is a continuation of the old brick wall installed on the remains of the curtain of the Horned Fortress.

The most popular place in Esplanade Park is the joy of the local children - the rides.

Opposite which, not so long ago, a small children's playground was built right in the middle of the lawns.

Once upon a time, grass grew in this place, as well as around the indispensable attributes of a civilized society established in the neighborhood,


which, judging by the trampled area, are visited very actively. This is also evidenced by the stench spreading hundreds of meters around these “attributes”. And in the background, surrounded by a green fence, there is a large public toilet that has been closed for a long time, which, if put in order, could solve all the problems and, first of all, the problem of the presence of the fence itself.

And yet, this is a park, and trees grow in it, and there are quite rare specimens.
Bird cherry Maak.

Manchurian nut.

Cork Amur velvet.

It grows next to the Peter and Paul Cathedral.

On the right side of the cathedral is installedMonument to Mikael Agricola

an educator and reformer who taught the “poor Chukhonts” to read and write.
Before the war, this monument stood at the entrance to the Lutheran Cathedral in the part of the park whereAlvar Aalto Library.

Against Cathedral of Peter and Paulthere is an old granite fountain,

from which the symbol of "United Russia" drinks water.

This fountain, which suddenly “came to life” after many years of silence, has always caused a lot of controversy. But it’s still difficult to imagine Vyborg without this structure around which more than one generation of local children frolicked.
This is what the square in front of the cathedral looked like in the 30s of the 20th century.

On the opposite side of the Cathedral of Peter and Paul there are the remains of another fountain, which was once called the “Girl of Imatra”,

and now it is in desolation.
Nearby you can find a local “neopagan temple” created in 2004.

bearing the name - "holy family".

And all this diversity coexists peacefully in a relatively small area
Esplanade Park. Moreover, this is only half of the park, which is located between Market Square and Mannerheiminkatu (now Leningradsky Prospekt).
In the second part of the park there is perhaps the most popular sculpture of Vyborg - the famous Elk. Life-size forest beauty.

And behind the horned giant one can see an architectural masterpiece of “functionalism”, the famous and long-suffering

The library, which had languished in oblivion for decades, is experiencing a rebirth.

Still, the tenacity with which our northern neighbors pushed the idea of ​​restoration through international authoritiesAlvar Aalto library, worthy of respect.

Opposite the entrance to the children's section of the Alvar Aalto Library there is another fountain with which funny stories sometimes happen.

And it’s hard to call this splashing a fountain.

And on the other side of the fountain, among the trees, lurked a cartoon character about Winnie the Pooh.

The same one who tore off the tail of the unfortunate donkey Eeyore.

Entire Esplanade Park The perimeter is surrounded by a metal fence.

This is a remake with similarities to the original.
The passages in the fence are marked by granite pillars topped with cast iron “heads”.

True, the “heads” were not preserved on all the pillars. Apparently someone doesn't have enough of their own.
And the pillars in the passages of the main alley of the Esplanade Park are crowned with ancient cast-iron flower beds.

Having experienced numerous “ups and downs” throughout its history.
Along some of the alleys of the Esplanade Park you can see laid paving stones.

These are the remains of a drainage system that once existed to drain rainwater. It was in the form of gutters through which water flowed outside the park.

But due to the fact that no one monitors the condition of these drains, over time they ceased to fulfill their function. And now rainwater flows anywhere, digging ditches along its path and clogging the city's storm drain with sand.

Esplanadi Park is a favorite place for walks for locals and tourists visiting Helsinki. Located in the city center, the park is ideal for both picnics and leisurely strolls. No visit to Helsinki would be complete without a visit to the Esplanade. Without a doubt, this part of Helsinki near the city center is a delight for all travelers.

History of origin.

Esplanadi Park in Helsinki is often compared to Central Park in New York. Esplanadi Park is located in the heart of the city center; two of the busiest shopping streets in Helsinki - South and North Esplanadi - run parallel to the park. The park was opened at the beginning of the 19th century. It instantly gained popularity among the bourgeoisie and still attracts couples who leisurely stroll through the park, admiring the scenery. The park and adjacent boulevards were designed to mark the boundary between the center of Helsinki and the outskirts. The history of the Havis Amanda fountain is interesting. When the fountain was installed in 1908 it caused a scandal. The naked, sensual lady depicted on the fountain was supposed to symbolize Helsinki - at that time it was too open and provocative. Over time, the passions subsided and today she is a participant in the almost century-old student tradition - on May 1, a hat is placed on the head of the statue, thus marking the beginning of a “professional” holiday.

Architecture.

Esplanadi Park in the center of Helsinki is surrounded by two streets - North and South Esplanadi. The park is located in such a way that sunlight illuminates it throughout the day. Being in the city center, the park conditionally separates the noisy business part of the center from the calmer, southern part cities. In the east, Esplanadi Park ends with a fountain, behind which there is a view of market square Helsinki and sea ​​bay. On the western side of the Esplanadi Park, the Swedish Theater is hidden among green trees, behind which the busiest street in the center of Helsinki buzzes. The walls of the theater building shield the Esplanade Park from the noise of street traffic, thus, being so close to the bustle of the city, at the same time you can retire to the park in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. On a warm summer day it is almost impossible to find free benches, so young people sit right on the grass, which gives the park a relaxed atmosphere. In the center of the park there is a monument to the national poet of Finland Runeberg (1804-1877). In the western part of the park there are statues of the writer Zacharias Topelius (1818-1898) and the poet Eino Leino (1878-1926).

Note to tourists.

The Esplanade in Helsinki is not only a popular park. In winter, Christmas markets are held here, and in summer there are concerts under open air. After your walk, you can take a break in numerous cafes while watching from the terrace the free concerts that are held almost every day in the summer. Esplanade Park is also the main venue for ceremonial events on May 1st. Although the park is quite cool and windy during the cold Finnish winter, a Christmas market has been held in the park since 1993.

The beautiful Esplanade square boulevard is located in the very center of Helsinki, between the busy shopping streets North Esplanade and South Esplanade, which begin behind the Swedish Theater building. There are many different boutiques on the North and South Esplanade. And on one of the streets perpendicular to the Northern Esplanade there is the famous Fazer cafe.

The greenery of the park, well-groomed flower beds and fountains attract both city residents and tourists. In summer, it’s nice to take a leisurely stroll here, looking at monuments, or sit on a cozy bench under the linden trees to watch other vacationers strolling. Some people have picnics right on the lawns. In the center of the park stands the poet and author of the text of the national anthem “Our Land”.

Esplanadi - green oasis downtown. Cozy, despite the crowd. From the terrace of the Kappeli restaurant you can watch the summer variety show Espa. Park area goes out to ь, where tourists are greeted by one of the symbols of Helsinki - the fountain (Sea Nymph). You can buy various souvenirs on the square. In winter, a Christmas market opens in the park.

Helpful information

On the Northern Esplanade (Pohjoisesplanadi 19) there is an information office, providing free information about the city, its attractions, events and services. Here you can get tips on how to make the most of your holidays. The information office also has a variety of brochures and maps.

Tourist opening hours information office: 15.5.-14.9. Mon.-Fri. 9.00 - 20.00, Sat.-Sun. 9.00 - 18.00, 15.9.-14.5. Mon.-Fri. 9.00 - 18.00, Sat.-Sun. 10.00 - 16.00.

 

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