Kaivopuisto

Kaivopuisto Brunnsparken
Helsinki Subdivision
Position of Kaivopuisto within Helsinki
Country	Finland
Region	Uusimaa
Sub-region	Greater Helsinki
Municipality	Helsinki
District	Southern
Subdivision regions	none
Area	0.45 km2(0.17 sq mi)
Population (2004)	491
• Density	1,091/km2(2,830/sq mi)
Postal codes	00140
Subdivision number	09
Neighbouring subdivisions	Ullanlinna

Kaivopuisto(Swedish:Brunnsparken), nicknamedKaivariin Finnish orBrunsanin Swedish, is one of the oldest and best knownparksin centralHelsinki,Finland,and also aneighbourhoodof about 500 inhabitants where the park is located.

Geography

To the south, Kaivopuisto borders theGulf of Finland.To the north is a residential area containing the official private residences of severalambassadorsof foreign countries to Finland, including theUnited States,Estonia,Spain,France,Belgium,Brazil,Italy,theNetherlands,and theUnited Kingdom.

Description

Kaivopuisto residences from the sea

Kaivopuisto offers severalhectaresof parks, both on flat ground, and oncliffs.The park also includes traces of stone fortifications built in the 18th century. Every summer, thousands of Helsinkians come to Kaivopuisto to sunbathe, to havepicnics,or to holdsport.The largest hill in the park is a favoured slope fortobogganingduring the winter.

The height of Kaivopuisto's popularity is onVappuday (1 May), immediately after the precedingWalpurgis Nightcelebrations in the city centre. On Vappu, Kaivopuisto is packed with tens of thousands of Helsinkians, who come to have apicnicwith their friends and families. Fancifulcostumes,loud music, and excessive consumption ofalcoholic beveragesis the routine for a Vappu picnic. It is customary for all attendants who have graduated from the Finnish matriculation exam to wear their student caps at the picnic. A yellowed student cap is taken as a sign of prestige.

Since the mid-1970s, it has been common to hold a few concerts in the park during the summer, withclassical music,but more oftenpopandrock music,and usually featuring Finnish artists.

Kaivopuisto also includesKaivohuone,a famousrestaurantandnightclubdating from the 1830s, theUrsa Observatory,and theVilla Kleineh,the oldest villa in the area.

In 2020, traditional May Day festivities in Kaivopuisto have been cancelled in favor of online events.

Gallery

• 
  People having a Vappu picnic in Kaivopuisto.
• 
  The Kaivopuisto park during a summer concert in 2005.
• 
  The Kaivopuisto park in early winter.
• 
  Kaivohuonein September 2021.
• 
  TheEmbassy of the United States
• 
  TheUrsa Observatory
• 
  Illustration of Kaivopuisto (Ulrikasborgs brunnspark) inFinland framstäldt i teckningaredited byZacharias Topeliusand published 1845-1852.

See also

• Ullanlinna