Esplanadi

Esplanadi (Swedish: Esplanaden), colloquially known as Espa, is an esplanade and urban park in downtown Helsinki, Finland, situated between the Erottaja square and the Market Square. It is bordered on its northern and southern sides by the Pohjoisesplanadi (Norra Esplanaden, North Esplanadi) and Eteläesplanadi (Södra Esplanaden, South Esplanadi) streets, respectively. Aleksanterinkatu runs parallel to Esplanadi. Esplanadi is well known as a popular walking area,[1][2] and street performances are also often held in the park.[3]

Esplanadi
Esplanaden
The central walking path of Esplanadi, 2012
Esplanadi is located in Helsinki (mainland)
Esplanadi
Location of Esplanadi in Helsinki
TypeUrban park
LocationHelsinki, Finland
Coordinates60°10′03″N 24°56′52″E
Established1818
DesignerCarl Ludwig Engel

Designed by the architect Carl Ludwig Engel, the park was originally opened in 1818.[4] In 1827, Engels Teater (the predecessor of the Swedish Theatre), the first theatre building in Helsinki, also designed by Engel, was erected in a corner of the park. Centered in the park is a statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the national poet of Finland, by his son Walter Runeberg.[5] Other public art pieces include works by Viktor Jansson, Gunnar Finne and Lauri Leppänen.

The eastern end of the park houses the Kappeli restaurant, which opened in 1867. In front of the restaurant is an outdoor stage, which hosts numerous live music performances. Other prestigious restaurants on the edge of the park include Restaurant Olo on Pohjoisesplanadi[6] and Savoy Restaurant on Eteläesplanadi.[7]

  • The Esplanadi park; on the left the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg
    The Esplanadi park; on the left the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg
  • The Esplanadi park during the winter
    The Esplanadi park during the winter
  • The flowers at the park in May
    The flowers at the park in May
  • Finnish student celebrating vappu at the park
    Finnish student celebrating vappu at the park
  • Restaurant Kappeli
    Restaurant Kappeli
  • A view of Esplanadi in the center of Helsinki in 1891
    A view of Esplanadi in the center of Helsinki in 1891

See also

References
  1. "Varakkaiden vapaa-ajan viettoa - Helsingin ympäristöhistoria". Helsinki.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  2. "Esplanadi - Bulevardi". Museovirasto (in Finnish). Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  3. "Kaartinkaupunki: menneisyyden havinaa keskeisellä paikalla". Aktia (in Finnish). Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  4. "Esplanadin puisto – Helsingin vihreä sydän" [Esplanade Park - the green heart of Helsinki]. Finlandiapuisto (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  5. "Esplanadin puisto – Esplanade Park". City of Helsinki Public Works Department. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  6. Restaurant Olo (in English)
  7. Savoy Restaurant (in English)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Esplanadi.
  • Esplanade Park in Green Hearts – Park Walks In Helsinki by City of Helsinki Public Works Department


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