Korkeasaari

Korkeasaari (Swedish: Högholmen) is an island in Helsinki. The literal meaning of Korkeasaari is "Tall Island/Islet". It is part of the Mustikkamaa–Korkeasaari district. Korkeasaari Zoo is located on the island and named after it.

Korkeasaari
Korkeasaari island as seen from the ferry.
Korkeasaari is located in Helsinki (mainland)
Korkeasaari
Korkeasaari
Korkeasaari is located near Helsinki city center.
Geography
LocationHelsinki, Gulf of Finland
Coordinates60.175°N 24.984167°E / 60.175; 24.984167
Area22 ha (54 acres)
Administration

The island of Korkeasaari is a 22-hectare (54-acre) rocky island. Two smaller islands are located next to it: Hylkysaari and Palosaari.

History

A sacrificial stone from the Bronze Age has been found on the island. It is the first one found in the Helsinki area.[1]

Korkeasaari has been in recreational use for people living in Helsinki for a long time. Locals used it for fishing and for herding. After the Crimean War a steam boat started operating to the island, and the island became a popular place to spend time.

Korkeasaari was rented to Helsingin Anniskelyhtiö in 1883, and the company started renovating the island. Roads were built and city gardener L. A. Jernström planned planting areas to the island. A restaurant designed by Theodor Höijer was built in 1884, and it is still located on the island and used as a restaurant.[2] In 1889 Korkeasaari Zoo was established and located to the island.

Transportation

In 1972, a bridge was built to connect Korkeasaari to the mainland via Mustikkamaa. Before that, a ferry was the only option to arrive to the island. A ferry still operates to Korkeasaari from the Market Square during the summer. In August 2016, planning of the Crown Bridges bridges started. They will connect Korkeasaari to Hakaniemi and Kruunuvuorenranta, and also bring a Helsinki tram network connection to the island.[3]

  • Sacrificial stone in Korkeasaari
    Sacrificial stone in Korkeasaari
  • Restaurant designed by Theodor Höijer, photographed in the 1900s.
    Restaurant designed by Theodor Höijer, photographed in the 1900s.
  • The same restaurant building, still in use.
    The same restaurant building, still in use.
  • Ferry to the Zoo in the 1920s.
    Ferry to the Zoo in the 1920s.
  • Old Bear Castle still located in the zoo, but not in use.
    Old Bear Castle still located in the zoo, but not in use.
  • Current Bear Castle in the Zoo.
    Current Bear Castle in the Zoo.
  • Modern tropical building Africasia, built in 2003.
    Modern tropical building Africasia, built in 2003.
  • Old architecture can still be found at the zoo.
    Old architecture can still be found at the zoo.
  • Bridge that connects Korkeasaari to Mustikkamaa.
    Bridge that connects Korkeasaari to Mustikkamaa.

References
  1. Koskinen, Ahti. "Korkeasaaresta löytyi periharvinainen kuppikivi". YLE. YLE. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  2. "RKY ι Kohdetiedot". Museovirasto. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  3. Kettunen, Katriina. "Suomen pisin silta rakenteille 2018 – Helsingin valtuusto hyväksyi Kruunusillat". YLE (in Finnish). Retrieved 19 September 2019.
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