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 (North Esplanadi) and Eteläesplanadi (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
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.

The Esplanadi park

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. Centered in the park is a statue of J. L. Runeberg, the national poet of Finland, by his son Walter Runeberg.[5] Other public art pieces include works by Viktor Jansson and Gunnar Finne.

The Esplanadi park in winter

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.
  • Esplanade Park in Green Hearts – Park Walks In Helsinki by City of Helsinki Public Works Department
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