Vanhankaupunginselkä

Welcome to Van-han-kow-poon-gin-sel-ka, the Old City Bay. As we stand at the very edge of this sprawling, reed-fringed estuary, we are looking at the geographical and historical cradle of Finland’s capital. …

We now approach the foundation monument of Hel-sin-kee, a solemn marker that pinpoints the exact location of King Gustav Vasa’s ambitious, yet ultimately flawed, urban experiment. This modest stone structure serves as an anchor…

Listen closely as the sound of rushing water grows dominant. We have reached the Vanhankaupunginkoski, the Old Town Rapids. …

Turning our attention to the eastern bank of the rapids, we encounter the striking, red-brick architecture of the historic hydroelectric power plant, which now houses the Museum of Technology. This handsome industrial building,…

Leaving the industrial heritage behind, we now step onto the wooden boardwalks that lead into the Pornaistenniemi nature reserve. Notice how the ground beneath us becomes soft and yielding. …

We continue our journey by walking along the narrow, floating boardwalks that stretch out toward Lammassaari, which translates to Sheep Island. This is perhaps the most magical, immersive experience the Old City Bay has to offer. …

Our final specific destination in this wetland archipelago is Kuusiluoto, a smaller island connected to Lammassaari by an extension of the boardwalk system. As we cross over to this rocky outcrop, the landscape shifts…

As our tour of the Old City Bay concludes, let us pause and reflect on the extraordinary narrative embedded in this landscape. We began our journey at the stone monument marking the audacious, flawed vision of a sixteenth-century…