Esplanadi Boulevard, Helsinki

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Referred to as Esplanadi, this wide avenue with a park in the middle is the living heart of Helsinki. In fact, it consists of two avenues, Pohjoisesplanadi, (i.e., "North Esplanade") and Eteläesplanadi ("South Esplanade") and they run east-west from Market Square ( Kauppatori) to Erottaja Square. The park and the avenues were created during the 19th century urban development that turned Helsinki into the city it is today. Belle Epoque buildings thus line the sides of the Esplanade and include some of the city's most expensive real estate and shopping. As one would expect, the park becomes alive with activity during the short warmer months in Helsinki.

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It is said that the Esplanade, constructed in the 1800's, served as a political dividing line of sorts when certain inhabitants of the country could not decide whether the Finnish or Swedish language should dominate!!

Proponents of the Finnish viewpoint ambled on the south side (Etelaesplanadi) while the Swedish-speaking Finns did so on the north side (Pohjoisesplanadi). Happily, this is no longer the case. This beautiful park runs between the north & south sides of the boulevard, beginning at the harbor and ending at the Swedish Theatre and today the park is a joy to those fortunate enough to visit it. Theday we visited, the skies were slightly overcast but lots of people were walking and enjoying this lovely place.

The Esplanade itself is a very wide pea-gravel walkway lined with trees, foliage and flowers and seating areas. At night elegant street lamps illuminate the walk way and statuary in this beautiful area. In the Summer there are free jazz concerts and in December the traditional Christmas Market appears.

The Esplanade is not only a grand place for a beautiful afternoon stroll but also an area hosting some of the finest hotels, restaurants and shops in Helsinki. Marimekko alone has 3 shops on the boulevard and Scandinavia's largest department store, Stockmann's will more than delight all true shoppers. You'll also find the upscale Savoy restaurant, and the historic "Kappeli" restaurant which is famous for its "Sibelius" menu featuring smoked artic char and beetroot mousse. For a little nightlife, try the hip Teatteri restaurant, bar and nightclub occupying the same building as the Swedish Theater. Don't forget the upscale Finnish souvenir shops along the way, but bring plenty of Euros for any shop you might slip into.

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In summer the Esplanadi is a long pedestrian garden where everyone seems to be: it’s full of people and buzzing with activities: concerts, mimes, people having a chat, a picnic and/or a beer… It also has a couple of cafès and restaurants. The park was originally opened in 1812 and officially it is made of two gardens. The Pohjoisesplanadi (Finnish for the North Esplanade Street) and Eteläesplanadi (Finnish for the South Esplanade street).

In the park there is a statue and a fountain: the statue is that of Johan Ludwig Runeberg, a well-known Finnish poet who wrote in Swedish verses about life in rural Finland whereas the fountain is the Havis Amanda fountain, was sculpted by Ville Vallgren, which represents a bronze maiden who standing on seaweed surrounded by four spouting sea lions (or seals)

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Laid out by Engel in 1812 Esplanadi consists of 2 broad parallel streets separated by a green area. This is a popular promenade, it is a great place to sit & relax too. In the summer months there are plenty of concerts & open-air shows here. The area is surrounded by bars, restaurants & shops.

As I visited Helsinki in mid summer I especially enjoyed being here late at night when it just didn't get totally dark.

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The Esplanadi park is located in the centre of Helsinki, between two streets the northern Esplanadi and the southern Esplanadi. The park is opened in 1812.
In the middle of the park, you can find a statue of Johan Ludwig Runeberg. His name can´t be found on the statue, but you find the lyrics to our national anthem. Runebergs famous work was an epic poem Vänrikki Stoolin tarinat, it tells of the Finnish war with Russia in 1808-1809. The first poem "Maamme" (Our land), became the Finnish national anthem.
In summer time Esplanadi park is filled with people sitting on the grass having picnic or just enjoying the sun.
Helsinki harbour and the market square are just 10-15 min walk from the statue of Runeberg.

Perfect way to start is to go to Kauppatori and buy some fresh, sweet Finnish strawberries, peas, cherries or an ice cream and go to sit on a bench in Esplanadi Park and just watch to world go by. There is a statue of a lady called Havis Amanda just next to Kauppatori so you know that you are going to right direction. After a while you can have a class of beer or wine either in Kappeli or Teatteri terrace.

This is the place to go if you're after luxury shopping, people watching or just going for a leisurely stroll.
The Esplanade park stretches from Kauppatori westwards to the busy Mannerheimintie street and is flanked by two streets with expensive shops, restaurants and cafés.
In summer concerts are frequently held in the park.

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Esplanadi Park (Esplanadipuisto) is located to the West from the Kauppatori square. The park is framed with streets Pohjoisesplanadi and Etalasesplanadi, built up with buildings in style of the neo-Renaissance in the second half of the XIX century. K.Engel and J.Erenstryom were the authors of a lay-out of the park in 1812.

The park accepted the modern view in 1831. The oldest lindens were planted in 1840. The park is a favourite place of walks of the townspeople and tourists. The restaurant "Chapel " (ravintola Kapeli) with a summer terrace is located in the east part of the park. There are many small ponds decorated by figures of boys of fishers and nymphs.