Linnanmäki

In 1950, six Finnish child welfare organisations leased an area from the city of Helsinki for an initial period of three years in the middle of a recreational area consisting of two parks, where they set up an amusement park. The city extended the lease in 1953 and leased 5.37 hectares (13.3 acres) to the amusement park. In accordance with the city plan approved in 1956, the amusement park area was extended to over 7.2 ha (18 acres).[7] In 1957, the six organisations established the non-profit Children's Day Foundation, which to this day is still maintaining and developing the amusement park.[1] Today, the site covers 7.5 hectares.[2]

Linnanmäki is built on a hill and derives its name from Vesilinnanmäki (lit. 'Water Castle Hill'), the name locals gave to the hilly area in the early 20th century since it has two water towers, built in 1876 and 1938, respectively. Nowadays the water towers are no longer in operation and were disconnected from the grid in 2003.[8] However, the towers are protected in the zoning plan of the city and cannot be demolished. In the future, it is hoped that the towers will be used all year round to support amusement park activities.[8] The older, angular tower at the edge of the amusement park, the first and oldest water tower in Helsinki, currently houses the park's maintenance and storage facilities, while the newer, cylindrical tower dominating the park and its wider surroundings houses an indoor roller coaster called Linnunrata eXtra.

Since its opening in 1950, two people have died in amusement ride accidents at Linnanmäki, both caused by negligence on the part of the rider.[9][10] In 1953, an employee, a roller coaster brakeman, who was sitting in the front row after his shift on the last ride of the evening, did not attach the safety bar, fell off and was hit by the train. In 1985, a guest, a boy, also sitting in the front row, had managed to open the safety bar and stood up to wave to his friends. The boy had then accidentally fallen in front of the train that had run over him.[9][10]

Linnanmäki is located in the Alppila sub-district of Alppiharju, 2.5 km (1.6 mi) north of the city centre of Helsinki, the Finnish capital. The hill where the park is located has a nice view of the city. The park has no discernible theming and feels relatively compact and densely packed; the rides and attractions are in close proximity to one another. In addition to the amusement rides and attractions the park also contains the Peacock, a historical theatre built in 1957 and known for its musical productions. In addition to the park itself, guests can also visit the Sea Life aquarium, the only Sea Life centre in the Nordic countries, opened in 2002.

The park is open from April to October, while the theatre and aquarium are operational throughout the year. The park also featured Linnanmäen museo from 1996 to 2005, a museum facility which located next to the park's main entrance and housed several exhibitions every year.

The park is easily reached from the city centre by tram lines 3, 8, 9, and bus line 23.

Linnanmäki currently has 43 rides, along with many other non-ride based attractions.[3] The most notable ride in the park is Vuoristorata, a wooden roller coaster, opened in 1951. It is the most recognisable symbol of the park, and was one of the first permanent rides to be built at the park. Technically the oldest ride at Linnanmäki is Karuselli (a carousel), which was built in Germany in 1896 and has been at Linnanmäki since 1954.

Linnanmäki has eight roller coasters. Other major rides include three tower rides, a ferris wheel, a river rapids ride and spinning rides. The park also has a selection of family and kiddie rides.

Admission to the park is free, and most of the rides can only be ridden with the possession of a ride ticket, or the more popular wristband, which allows the wearer unlimited access to all of the park's rides for the entire day. As of 2013, the wristband costs the same for each customer, regardless of height.[11]

Linnanmäki also hosts various events and festivals every year, such as the popular iik!week Horror Festival[12] and traditional Carnival of Light (Valokarnevaali),[13] which are both held in the autumn.

Current rides

Kyöpelinvuoren hotelli, a dark ride and ghost train at Linnanmäki

The older water tower, built in 1876, houses maintenance and storage facilities. Front: Mustekala ride (Polyp, Octopus)

Paul Anka performing at the Peacock theatre in Linnanmäki, 1959

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  Hurjakuru
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  Kieputin
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  A view from the Panoraama observation tower
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  Water fountain
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  Maisemajuna
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  Vonkaputous
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  Rolle the Clown, mascot of Linnanmäki
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  Linnunrata and the water tower

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Linnanmäki.

• Official Linnanmäki website (in English)
• 20th Spinning Coaster set for Linnanmäki in 2008
• Photographs and video from Linnanmäki's major rides