Public sculptures: Picnic spots close to art

Bjarne Lönnroos: Rakkauden temppeli, 2003

Nikki Bell, Ben Langlands: Fifty Cities, 1999

The Kagal Memorial Stone can be found near the Villa Aino Ackté. 

Eero Eerikäinen, Oskari Jauhiainen: Merenkulkijoiden ja mereen menehtyneiden muistomerkki, 1968

Aimo Tukiainen: Soihtu / Miina Sillanpään muistomerkki, 1968

Denise Ziegler: Konsertto Laaksolle

Eila Hiltunen: Sibelius-monumentti, 1967

Laila Pullinen: Itämeren tytär / Maila Talvion muistomerkki, 1971

Kalle Hamm: Teetä kahdelle, 2004

Pekka Jylhä: Olen itä olen länsi, 1999

Old Market Hall

Sights and Attractions

Market Square

Hietalahti Market Hall

Hietalahti Market Square

Shopping

Hakaniemi Market Hall

Hakaniemi Market Square

Roobertin Herkku

Levain Merikortteli

Restaurant

Kanniston Leipomo Hakaniemi

Café

Fill you picnic bag here

Wonderful picnic parks in central Helsinki

The popular Esplanade Park, fondly referred to as "Espa" among locals, is the most famous park in Finland and the green heart of Helsinki. People come here to see and be seen, to listen to music and watch performances, and to enjoy picnics. The park was originally planned by the principle architect of Helsinki, Carl Ludvig Engel. The park is characterized by an architectonic style with its straight tree-lined alleys and flowerbeds. The rows of linden trees on either side of the park create a hall-like space.

At the Market Square end of the park lies one of the most historic restaurants in Helsinki, Kappeli, built in 1867 and designed by architect Hampus Dahlström (1829-1882). Opposite Kappeli is Espa Stage, which offers concerts all through summer, from the beginning of May to the end of August. On either side of the stage is a pool with sculptures by Viktor Jansson (1886-1958). "Water Nymphs" depicts a mermaid and child playing with a fish, and "Hey There" ("Hi") depicts a small boy playing with a fish.

Standing in the middle of the park is the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804-1877), Finland's national poet and author of the Finnish national anthem. Sculpted by the poet's son, Walter Runeberg (1838-1920), it was the first public monument erected in Helsinki.

Close to the statue are also the park's four historic kiosks. The decorative wooden kiosks on the southern side were built in 1893 and 1909, while the functionalist kiosks on the northern side were designed in 1928 by City Architect Gunnar Taucher (1886-1941).

Restaurant Teatteri and Svenska Teatern (Swedish Theatre) dominate the Mannerheimintie end of the park. Two memorials can be found here. The first is to the author, journalist and historian Zacharias Topelius (1818-1898).The second memorial is to the great Finnish poet and journalist Eino Leino (1878-1926).

1. Esplanade Park

The Old Church Park is one of the most popular green areas in the city centre. It is also known as the "Plague Park" (Ruttopuisto), as victims of the plague in 1710 were buried alongside the church. The gravestones in the Old Church Park remind of the history of cemeteries in this part of town. The cemeteries in Kamppi made gradually way for the growing city. Today the Old Church Park is as popular as all the other parks in the city centre. Small scale events are also organized in the park. The Old Church (Vanhakirkko) in the park is the second oldest church in Helsinki.

2. Old Church Park - Ruttopuisto

Sinebrychoff Park is the most popular park in the Punavuori district. Sinebrychoff Park was originally the private garden of Russian-born businessman Nikolai Sinebrychoff (1786-1848). During his days, Sinebrychoff constructed a brewery and distillery in Hietalahti. Next to the brewery and his mansion, he had an English-style geometric garden established. The park got its current layout in the 1960's when the Mallaskatu tunnel was built under the park and in the 1980's when the park layout was planned again by the Park Division of the Public Works Department. Surrounded by neighbouring buildings, the park is an important green oasis in the densely built city centre.

Today there is eg. a play park, a café and a public toilet in the park.

3. Sinebrychoff Park

The park around the Töölö Bay begins in the heart of Helsinki and there's a popular walking path circling the bay. The Winter Garden, boasting hundreds of plants, is located at the north end of the bay. Wooden villas along the shores are a reminder of Helsinki's history. The Töölö Bay is a treasure especially for bird watchers. Töölönlahti park is a new oasis for culture and city events that has been developed along the southern shoreline.

4. Töölönlahti Bay

Helsinki's oldest and best known park is surrounded by embassies and villas. The nearby sea, rock cliffs and green lawns offer many opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. During winter, if the snow situation permits, the park is popular for sledding.

At the highest point of the park is the Ursa Observatory. There are also several cafées and restaurants along the shore and on the islands.

5. Kaivopuisto Park

Tähtitorninvuori (or Tähtitorninmäki) is a 30m high hill next to the South harbour in Ullanlinna district. It's mainly a park but there are also some buildings eg. the Helsinki Observatory from 1834.

Observatory Hill Park is known for its wide range of interesting plants. Although the variety of plants has somewhat lessened over the decades, the park is still exceptionally rich in plant life. Almost a hundred species of trees and shrubs grow in the park, as well as many perennials.

6. Tähtitorninvuori - Observatory Hill Park

Kaisaniemi Park is the oldest park for public use in Helsinki founded in 1812. It was named after Catharina (Kajsa) Wahllund (1772-1843) who had a restaurant in the park. Situated alongside the Central Railway Station, Kaisaniemi Park is a great place for recreation and hosts festivals and outdoor concerts, especially in summertime. Next to the park is the Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden.

7. Kaisaniemi Park

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This is a guide to an art-filled picnic tour. While you enjoy your picnic, please make sure to  take care of the sculptures and their surroundings....

Public sculptures: Picnic spots close to art | My Helsinki