After you've seen all those basic tourist sights in Helsinki, it's time to check out something bit unusual and different. Do you love cemeteries? What about dark history? Murder mysteries? You are lucky - Helsinki can offer something for all of those!
Old Church Park (Ruttopuisto)
The Old Church Park is also known as a ”Plague Park” as during the plague epidemic in 1710 bodies were buried in the surroundings of the park. You will find some old tombstones and mausoleum of Johan Sederholm, who was an merchant from Helsinki. During the years the mausoleum has also been used as an temporary morgue.
In summer, lot of people gather to this park for drinks and picnics.
Location details
GETTING THERE
The cemetery and park are located between Lönnrotinkatu and Bulevardi in the city centre.
OPEN
24/7.
Hietaniemi Cemetery
Established in 1829, Hietaniemi Cemetery is Helsinki's oldest Lutheran cemetery still in use and is located in city centre. Hietaniemi Cemetery draws a good amount of tourists and visitors, as it includes a large military cemetery section (soldiers fallen in the wars against the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in the Winter War 1939–1940, the Continuation War 1941–1944 and the Lapland War 1944-1945). Also the tombs of the unknown soldier and Marshal C.G.E. Mannerheim can be found from Hietaniemi. Other notable sections of the cemetery are the cemetery of the Finnish Guard, the Artist's Hill and the Statesman's Grove. Visit the old part of the cemetery for seeing creepy, old tombstones!
Location details
GETTING THERE
The cemetery is located within walking distance from Kamppi. In case you are coming somewhere else, tram number 8 brings you right in front of the cemetery entrance and Old Chapel.
OPEN
Gates open daily 7-22, year around.
Suomenlinna Fortress
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is one of the seven Unesco World Heritate Site in Finland. In early 20th century the island experienced unfortunate dark times, when the biggest Finnish Civil War prison camp was located there with over 8000 prisoners. These days, it is a bit touristy, but you should definitely pay a visit - it's an important part of Finland's history, and the fortress with tunnels and small caves is fun to explore or to take gloomy shots for that full time satanist's travel photo album. For war history enthusiastics, Suomenlinna is a must visit.
Suomenlinna offers a lot to explore and the paths are bit rought - so you might want to put on good boots.
Location details
GETTING THERE
Take ferry from the Market Square - the journey takes around 15 minutes one way.
OPEN
Every day of the year. Please note the ferry schedule when planning your visit.
Lake Bodom
Most metalheads might find Lake Bodom familiar from Children of Bodom's name and famous song - however, the place not only inspired one of Finnish metal music's corner stone, but a psychotic murdered back in the 1950's. Three kids were brutally murdered in here during a summer night - there was one survivor, but the crime still remains unsolved.
Would you dare to camp here?
Location details
GETTING THERE
Take Y-train to Espoon keskus (station), then bus number 86 from there - get off on the stop called "Oittaanranta". The journey from Helsinki city centre takes around an hour.
OPEN
24/7.
Kruunuvuori Ghost Town
For a twist of creep, head to Kruunuvuori. It's a place of abandoned, old villas and summer houses in Eastern Helsinki.
The villas date back to late 19th and early 20th century and were abandoned around 1960's. Since then, they have been standing there, alone, rotting, which makes the area quite interesting to visit - especially after dark.
"Take only photos, leave only footprints" is good to keep in mind when visiting this site.
Location details
GETTING THERE
Take metro to Herttoniemi station and continue from there with bus number 88 to the last stop. From there, it's a short walk to the forest, where you'll find a path that leads to Kruunuvuori.
OPEN
24/7.
Horror walks in Helsinki
If you are interested in creepy, unusual history and legends you've come to the right place - Helsinki is full of them. Ghosts do wander around the city centre - which is, by the way, basically built over old cemeteries.
Take a creepy crawl with Happy Tours Helsinki to hear more about Helsinki's dark past, or take a journey to the history by yourself by wandering around the city, examining symbolism and hunting ghosts.
Location details
GETTING THERE
Helsinki Horror Walks start from Hotel Katajanokka. Please see updated information on starting location from their website!