Seurasaari
This week, Inside Out Helsinki is taking you to a special place ... Seurasaari island which is located northwest of the capital. The island is accessible by bridge and is best known for its wildlife, diverse nature and lack of population. On about a third of its area, it houses an outdoor museum which groups typical old buildings that come from different parts of Finland. They have not been built on site, but brought here. The museum was founded in 1909, it houses buildings and structures dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. If visiting old museum houses isn't your thing, you can relish in a walk in the forest, set up a picnic in a park or sit next to the seashore.
Seurasaari also has its own outdoor swimming area where you can swim in the nude (women's and men's areas are separated). The island has cafes with one right in the entrance after the famous bridge view. They offer traditional, good cinnamon rolls and coffee for instance, and savory dishes also if you happen to have a bigger appetite.
As Hannah explains what makes up the charm of the place:
My favorite part of the place is the animals - and they are friendly! You can spot squirrels, gooses, and many kind of little birds from great tits to great spotted woodpecker for example.
One really great tip for another kind of adventure is to book a canoe from Regatta Cafe (see our next post about the place) in Töölö and head to Seurasaari by water. You can definitely see parts of Helsinki from a completely different view!
Further information:
How to get there: From the city center take bus 24 towards Seurasaari (e.g. bus travels through Mannerheimintie and stops at Erottaja and Lasipalatsi). Seurasaari is the final stop and it leaves you straight in front of the bridge leading to the island.
The area is free of charge but some of the open air museums have an entrance fee. See more from their open air museum website.
Address: Seurasaari Island, Helsinki FI-00250, Finland
See also:
http://www.kansallismuseo.fi/en/seurasaari-openairmuseum
http://www.hel.fi/www/helsinki/fi/kulttuuri-ja-vapaa-aika/ulkoilu/mantereella-helsingissa-espoossa-ja-vihdissa/seurasaari
http://www.seurasaarisaatio.fi/homepage/
And make sure to check out this summer's art exhibition:
http://www.checkpointhelsinki.org/en/works/finnish-landscape
Uunisaari
One of the things we love most
about Helsinki are its islands. Small, secret islands where you can wonder and
feel like you are outside a city capital. Helsinki being a « sea
city », it’s not a surprise that one of Inside Out Helsinki's coup de
cœur is Unisaari, because of its easy access and proximity to the city. Despite
its small size, you can still find your peaceful quiet spot to relax
in. Located near the city centre, close to the harbour, the island
consists of two parts, separated by a narrow strait. The island covers
about 3 hectares. One of Uunisaari's particular charm consists in linking 4
different small islands together through bridges, breakwater, etc. So asides
from Uunisaari, you have Liuskasaari, Liuskeluoto and Sirpalesaari.
=> A little history : an oil boilery and paint factory once operated on the island. Coffins were also made here.
What
we love about Uunisaari are its many faces: you can either go swimming,
enjoy the sauna, sit on the rocks or beach, enjoy a cup of coffee at
Uunisaari’s restaurant, or take a stroll to other islands surrounding
it. What makes the place special
is its 360 view from which you can choose whether you want to look at
the sea, shore, harbor or other small islands.
Co-founder
Hanna Rast absolutely loves the island's old, industrial buildings and
small houses. You can still have that little sense of history, when the
oil boiler and paint factory used to operate on the island.
Further information
Uunisaari
Located in Southern Helsinki, south from Kaivopuisto
How to get there:
From the city center you can get closest to the place by Tram 3 (to Olympiaterminaali) or by busses number 18 (to Eira - final stop) or 24 (to Merikatu - final stop). By walking it's about 2,3 kilometers and takes about half an hour to get there.
During the winter season, from November to April, there's a pontoon bridge from the shore.
During the summer season there's a water-borne traffic operating from Kompassintori at Merisatama (Kaivopuisto) to the island.
Purna Yoga Helsinki
Located in the Kamppi neighborhood, Purna Yoga Helsinki, is not your average « come in, come out » yoga studio. Right away, upon entering the studio, you feel you are being taken care, both spiritually and physically. There is a sense of well being and utter peacefulness. The instructors take their time to talk to you, and you get a real authentic feeling of community.
What I love is the small number of students during the yoga classes. There are never more than 10 or max 12, and that is very important to me. I have bad memories of supposed yoga classes in Paris, where there were more than 25 students. Having a small class allows instructors to pay special attention to you, and also get to know you and your capabilities throughout their classes.
The class always starts with a special meditation and spiritual session, where we focus on redirecting our energy and on allowing it to flow. One of principles of Purna Yoga is to not make a distinct separation between body-mind-soul, but to work with all three of them. This is a very important part of the lesson, as it allows you enough time to get prepared for the more “physical” aspect of the yoga lesson, and leave your worries and everyday concerns at the doorstep. The second aspect of classes focuses on Asanas, and Pranayamas (breathing exercises). The instructors I work with are always very attentive to our movements, and correcting us gently throughout the sessions to make sure we weren’t harming ourselves or misaligning our poses. My teachers are mainly founder Tove Palmgren and Nicola Moberg. Both are amazing. I particularly like Tove’s philosophy on yoga:
“No matter where you live, yoga is one of the oldest methods of self-improvement on the spiritual, mental and physical level. It has existed for thousands of years. Simply that should speak for itself. However, much today is called yoga, which more resembles gymnastics or other forms of physical activities. People confuse asana with yoga. Asana is only a part, a small part of what yoga really is. Purna Yoga is special because it addresses all aspects of life. It consists of asana (the physical exercises) and pranayama (breathing exercises), a special dynamic meditation (Heartful meditation), nutrition and applied philosophy (adapted to modern life) and lifestyle.”
After over twenty years of teaching Ashtanga yoga, Tove Palmgren’s path in Purna Yoga started when the studio she then co-owned ended up hosting Aadil Palkhivala (aka founder of Purna Yoga) for a 5-day workshop. About a year later, she left the studio to her business partner, and went to Bellevue, WA, USA, to start her teacher training in Purna Yoga. Upon returning to Helsinki she created Purna Yoga Helsinki.
Practicing yoga at Purna Yoga Helsinki, has helped me not only completely heal my knee, but confront my first Finnish winter, and was one of the factors in my falling in love with this city.
=> Inside Out Helsinki “coup de coeur” : instructor Nicola Moberg teaches special pre and post natal classes, where you can come with your baby :).
The last part of the classes are done on the yoga wall, and help realign your spine, and hips, and work without gravity. This part is very special, and extremely helpful as a dancer, when dealing with different body “issues” (e.g. lower back or knee pain).
=> Good to know : Purna Yoga also hosts teaching sessions. They will be hosting for example a 200 hour teaching session in June. The studio also hopes to complete the first ever 500 hour teaching session with founder Aadil Palkhivala and his wife Savitri in 2016.
Here are a few words from other co-founder Hanna Rast’s point of view on Purna Yoga:
« A few thoughts when I photographed Purna. It was such an intriguing experience to be an observer in Purna. Tove's presence and strength were empowering. The class started with relaxed meditation bound with memories to let go and continued to asanas. As a photographer, I found it in many ways to be almost like dance. The class took many good surprising turns and I found so many photographic scenes and images to capture. What was one of the best part was that I felt very welcomed. So even though I'm not as experienced as Emilie is in yoga, Purna would definitely be a place where I would go to if I would like to start to take classes - just based on the experience during the photo session »
Further information
Purna Yoga
Address: Purna Yoga Helsinki
Fredrikinkatu 67 E 42
00100 Helsinki
Website: http://www.purnayoga.fi/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PurnaYogaHelsinki
Contact: +358 50 3533970
Nuuksio national park
If you feel like getting the experience of Finnish wilderness, but have limited options in terms of traveling around and in Finland, Nuuksio national park is a great option for you. You will encounter beautiful landscapes, breathtaking lakes and forget you are only about thirty km of Helsinki.
Founded in 1994, the Nuuksio national park is about 45 square km and covers the municipalities of Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Vihti. It is the closest national park to the capital and its name is derived from the district of Nuuksio in Espoo.
The national park is located in the most western part of the Nuuksio lake district. About a dozen of endangered or soon to be animal and plant species inhabit the lakes and forests of the region. The most famous of them, is the Siberian flying squirrel who is also the park’s emblem.
Bears, wolves, lynx and elk also inhabit the area, but your chances of getting up close and personal with one of these friendly beasts are virtually nil.
There are three marked trails for hiking as well as areas for barbecue, camping, and smoke sauna. All of these are located on lakes’ banks.
=> Good to know: you can also enjoy cross-country skiing, picking berries and mushrooms.
In addition to the four camping spaces, it is also possible to rent cabins and cottages near the main entrance.
=> To reach the park from Helsinki, the quickest solution is to take the train from Helsinki railway station to Espoo center and then take 85A bus.
Make sure you check out Finland’s “every man’s right”, about the dos and don’ts in Finnish wilderness: http://www.nationalparks.fi/hikinginfinland/rightsandregulations
For more information:
Nuuksio Customer Service number +35840 163 6200
Arkadia International Bookshop
Trying to put Arkadia International bookshop in a box, is impossible.
Of course, as its name indicates, it sells a multitude of second hand books, in excellent shape. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.
It what other bookstore, can you sip delicious Russian tea, play pool, isolate yourself in a Chapel made of books, find a whole entire section on the Vietnam war, or play the piano?
Arkadia is truly Ali Baba’s cavern. And what’s pleasurable is that it remains uncluttered and clean, which adds extra depth to its soothing atmosphere. The owner, Ian, who is British and French, has a special way of storing books, in boxes, according the author’s name, and invites readers to open the boxes and “be curious”.
If you are afraid of reptiles, don’t be taken aback by the presence of a friendly snake, which was given to the bookstore by two scientists after a conference they had given in Helsinki.
=> Good to know: Arkadia hosts weekly events - from art performances, to lectures and poetry readings. Its' rich programming is always original and well organized and is a perfect way to meet fellow Helsinkiers.
We were so enchanted by the bookstore that we decided to make a small video, the first in a new video series that will be incorporated here and there on Inside Out Helsinki, on Arkadia, and share a special little story behind the bookshop. Watch, and maybe you will meet your match here, who knows?
Address : Nervanderinkatu 1100, Helsinki, Finland
Telephone:
Ian Bourgeot: +358 59 325 1829
Liisa Bourgeot: +358 50 532 7296
Opening hours:
Tues-Fri : 12 to 7 pm
Sat : 10 to 6 pm
Closed on Mondays and Sundays
Uutela Nature area, Vuosaari
Uutela
is a nature park in Vuosaari, Helsinki. Even though it's surrounded by
the sea on three sides, Uutela offers a variety of views and sites from
shores to thick forests. The easiest way to get there is to take the
subway to Vuosaari station and then either walk or take the bus 90K.
On
your way to the nature site, you pass Aurinkolahti's beach and small,
idyllic marina where people keep their boats. Just near the entrance to
the nature park dwells café Kampela, which offers you fish soup and
baked goods. When entering Uutela's nature park area you will walk along
an about 4 kilometres long trail that encircles the whole area. Along
the way, you will find diverse vegetation and landscapes such as forests
of different variety, cliffs, shores and meadows.
Uutela
is large enough to contain the Skatta farm – one of several farms
within the boundaries of Helsinki. Due to these facts, it does not come
as a surprise that Uutela is popular among hikers and outdoorsy people
thanks to it's rich and variable landscape. One could even say that it
offers the city dwellers a getaway with easy reachability when one is in
the mood for a little break from the city.
From
the link below (in Finnish only) you will find further information on
Uutela's history and the specific species habiting in the area. The
PDF-version also includes a map where you can see the trail and
campfires, the farm and so on. http://www.hel.fi/hel2/HKR/esitteet/uutela_fi.pdf Uutela is an around the year place to visit and we warmly recommend that you visit it during all the four seasons!
Winter Garden // Talvipuutarha
Helsinki - especially for people who are used to living in crowded international capitals such as Paris or New York - is already quite a peaceful and calm city in itself. Streets are wide and traffic jams are rather unheard of. And hey, what's not to love about Helsinki being a seaside city?
If you are however in need of an extra bit of calm and peacefulness, InsideOut Helsinki has just what you need. The Helsinki Winter Garden (in Finnish: Helsingin Talvipuutarha) is a greenhouse open to the public located near the Eläintarha Park north of Töölönlahti in Helsinki. It's a beautiful and relaxed place, perfect for days when you feel like escaping the city.
The greenhouse was designed by architect Gustaf Nyström and built for General Jakob Julius af Lindfors. The garden opened to the public in 1893.
=> Insider tip: The winter garden has many small hidden spots, with tables and chairs, where you can retreat and find you very own special little "garden spot", and experience the place's tranquility. You can also bring your own food with you and arrange a little picnic or brunch if you feel like it!
The winter garden houses a wide variety of plants, including more than 200 plants in three different locations: in the palms room, in the western wing and in the cactus room.
You know those dreary long Helsinki winters where the sun just appears to be hibernating? Escaping to the winter garden is a great day to fight those winter blues, as a summer-like atmosphere prevails year-round.
Aside from its gardens, you can stop and enjoy its fountain and pond full of Koi carps.
=> Good to know: At the end of the greenhouse, there is a mural painted in 1893 by Salomo Wuorio.
Further information:
Address:
Hammarskjöldintie 100250 Helsinki
Opening hours:
Tue 9am-3pm, Wed–Fri 12pm-3pm, Sat–Sun 12-4pm. Rose garden open in summer daily at 7am-9pm.
Telephone:
+358 (0)9 3103 9985
No stairs, premises accessible by wheelchairs.
Kruunuvuori's abandoned villas
It's hard to write an article on Kruunuvuori villas - one of Helsinki’s oddest and most treasured secrets, which will alas not be there for much long longer - without thinking of Charles Dickinson's Miss Havisham's abandoned mansion. After being left at the alter, the estranged character lets time be the sole master of her house and mind:
“It was spacious, and I dare say had once been handsome, but every discernible thing in it was covered with dust and mould, and dropping to pieces. The most prominent object was a long table with a table-cloth spread on it, as if the feast had been in preparation when the house and the clocks all stopped together. An epergne or centre-piece of some kind was in the middle of this cloth; it was so heavily overhung with cobwebs that its form was quite indistinguishable". Great Expectations
“It was spacious, and I dare say had once been handsome, but every discernible thing in it was covered with dust and mould, and dropping to pieces. The most prominent object was a long table with a table-cloth spread on it, as if the feast had been in preparation when the house and the clocks all stopped together. An epergne or centre-piece of some kind was in the middle of this cloth; it was so heavily overhung with cobwebs that its form was quite indistinguishable". Great Expectations
Kruunuvuori is an entire neighborhood of abandoned villas in the middle of the forest with only companion the slow inevitable passing of time.
Inside Out Helsinki recommends taking advantage of this marvel, before the city tears down the villas for a new construction project. Go there during the warm months with a picnic, some good hiking shoes, and imagine yourself set back to another era.
How to get there:
Take a metro towards either Mellunmäki / Vuosaari and jump off on Herttoniemi
Then from Herttoniemi take a bus 88 to Kaitalahti, which is the final stop
Walk til the end of the road called Päätie, where you can find a forest road beginning on the right.
Yrjönkatu's Swimming Pool / Yrjönkadun Uimahalli
Good to know : The swimming pool has separate days for men and women (Women: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun. Men: Tue, Thu, Sat). Also, swimming in the nude is the norm here.
Further
information :
Address:
Yrjönkatu 21b, 00120
Helsinki
Entrance hours:
Women
Monday
1st floor 12 pm -
8 pm
2nd floor Closed
Wednesday
1st floor 6:30 am - 8 pm
2nd floor 2 pm -
8 pm
Friday
1st floor 6:30 am -
8 pm
2nd floor 2 pm -
8 pm
Sunday
1st floor 12 pm -
8 pm
2nd floor 2 pm -
8 pm
with swimming card for
the disabled
1st floor 10 am -
11 am
Men
Tuesday
1st floor 6:30 am -
8 pm
2nd floor 2:00 pm -
8 pm
Thursday
1st floor 6:30 am - 8 pm
2nd floor 2:00 pm - 8 pm
Saturday
1st floor 8 am -
8 pm
2nd floor 2 pm -
8 pm
Sunday
with swimming card for
the disabled
1st floor 8 am -
9 am
Exceptional opening
hours
Sat 6.12 Independence
Day closed
Tue 23.12 day before
Christmas Eve 1st floor open 6:30 am - 3 pm 2nd floor closed
Wed 24.12 Christmas
Eve closed
Thu 25.12 Christmas
Day closed
Fri 26.12 Boxing Day
closed
Wed 31.12 New Year´s
Eve 1st floor open 6:30 am - 3 pm 2nd floor closed
Thu 1.1 New Year´s Day
closed
Tue 6.1 Epiphany open
Charges
1st floor
Wardrobes
Adults
- one visit
€5
- 10 visits or 1 month
€42
- season card
€126
Others
- one visit €2.50
-10 visits or 1 month
€21
- season card €63
Personal customer card
(10 visits, 1 month or season card) €3
Cabins
Adults
- one
visit €5.40
- 10 visits or 1 month
€48
- season card €144
Others
- one visit €2.70
- 10 visits or 1
month €24
- season card €72
Personal customer card
(10 visits, 1 month or season card) €3
2nd floor cabins
(swimming in 1st floor pool)
Adults
- one visit €14
Others
- one visit €7
Includes: swimming, sauna (steam, electric or wood-heated sauna) and cabin with
bed, towel, bathrobe, seat cover
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