7 must-dos in Käpylä: the green spirit of Helsinki
A paradise for children, gardeners, architecture enthusiasts, community activists, urban culture and nature lovers alike. Yes, that’s Käpylä, and more often than not, all at the same time.
Admire the timber architecture and gardens of historical Wooden Käpylä and the city skyline from Taivaskallio. Feel the summer in Kumpula outdoor pools and the joy in the numerous playgrounds. Go ice-skating or hit a punk gig with the locals at the Käpylän Kiska or eat apples from the “take away” boxes people leave by their gardens. Käpylä cares for you around the year.
1: Wonder and wander (part one): experience Puu-Käpylä
The heart of Käpylä, the historical Puu-Käpylä (Wooden Käpylä) is a colourful delight of playful and ambitious wooden architecture by architect Martti Välikangas. The idea was to mix classical details with timber building and the plan for the area was based on the Garden City ideal. As you wander the little streets and alleyways that criss cross amongst the private gardens (go on, you can!) of Puu-Käpylä you can really understand how this environment created the tight community that fought to save their unique homes when the City had decided to replace them with more modern buildings in the 1960s. If you wander long enough you may just be invited for a cup of tea on someone’s porch or find an impromptu garden party! At least in the summer. The area is beautiful all year round (go and see autumn foliage there and you’ll see what we mean!), but summer is truly the time for Puu-Käpylä coming alive.
2. Wonder and wander (part two): experience the Olympic villages
The two olympic villages, Olympiakylä and Kisakylä, are a great example of Finnish functionalism. Olympiakylä was built for the Helsinki Olympics of 1940, that got canceled because of the war, and Kisakylä for the Helsinki Olympics of 1952 that did take place. They were both designed to first accommodate the athletes, and then to become homes for Helsinkians. Both areas are especially loved by young families with children due to the innovative space saving design inside and space expanding design outside, with yards that embrace the surrounding nature.
3. Climb up and get high (with nature and sledding): Taivaskallio
Taivaskallio (the Skyhill) is a 57,2 meters high natural hill known for its great sledding routes (the best in Helsinki, if you ask the locals!) and a yearly Shrovetide (Laskiainen in Finnish) fest with pancakes, horse rides and traditional pea soup. On top of the hill you can find air defence bases from the Second World War, a forest with pathways and blueberries, and a little pond with its protected community of newts. Read more about Taivaskallio.
4. Mingle with the locals (part one): Käpylän Kiska
One of the legendary canopy kiosks of Helsinki, this one in Meuman’s park next to the tram number one’s final stop, has grown into a somewhat phenomenon, gathering Helsinkians from all around the city for its summertime events, gigs, flea markets, coffee and ice cream. The place is run by a group of young entrepreneurs who embrace community and inclusivity and even create the Kiska summer programme together with the community. The result is as vivid and inspiring as it can be, with daily events filling the park with people listening to poetry or upcoming local bands, dancing, playing bingo, watching football world championships together and making new friends.
5. Mingle with the locals (part two): Käpylän Kylätalo
This is likely to be the coziest (ex)police station you’ll ever visit! Built in 1925, this old police station recently got a whole new life after various phases as a community center and a cafe. Käpylän Kylätalo, the Käpylä “Villagehouse” is a living room for the whole neighbourhood, fostering the idea that no one should be left alone. The weekly programme serves people from the tiniest of Käpylians to the eldest, with various clubs, hobbies and jam sessions. Run entirely by volunteers, Kylätalo feels like home. Visit the cafe and enjoy real home baked pulla and the authentic Käpylä vibe!
and lovely
Local
6. Dip, dive and feel the summer: Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool
A real summer paradise for young and old alike, the Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool has been serving Helsinkians since the Olympic Games of 1952 when it was built as a training pool for the athletes. Although strictly speaking not Käpylä (as the name suggests!), Käpyliäns consider it their own too. The pools and the surrounding grounds have remained almost unchanged for decades (only the saunas and indoor facilities have been modernised) and you really can’t spot a difference with today and the picture below (taken in the late 50s)!
In addition to three different size pools the area hosts a jumping tower, great saunas, basket ball field, outdoor gym, a grill, a small cafe, ice cream kiosk and a playground. Yes, you can easily spend the whole summer here, and many locals do!
7. Kick, glide and feel the winter: Käpylä Sports Park
Käpylä Sports Park is a popular ice skating spot amongst the locals. Some hard core Käpylians still call it “Ravis” (short for Ravirata in Finnish) as originally the park was a horse trotting track. It’s a great place to feel the magic of gliding on the ice, and you can find small skating sleds there to help the little ones stay on their feet. In the summer “Ravis” serves Helsinkian footballers and is one of the main stages for one of the largest junior football tournaments in the world, the Helsinki Cup.
