The Olympic Stadium (Helsinki, Finland), with its amphitheater-like stands and a tower soaring into the sky, is not the most famous, but very important and noteworthy attraction of the Finnish capital. Tourists are attracted by sports and music events, quiet parks located around, and, of course, the highest observation deck in the city. In addition, there is a spacious and convenient parking lot near the stadium, where you can park your car for free and go explore the city center.
Location
The address of the Olympic Stadium: Helsinki, Teele district, Paavo Nurmen street, building number 1. You can get here by public transport: tram or bus, or you can walk without haste in half an hour or an hour on foot. The stadium is located just two kilometers from the central station, two and a half kilometers from Senate Square, and three from the South Port.
Description
The stadium was designed in the style of functionalism by two Finnish architects Toivo Jantti and Yurye Lindegren in the early thirties of the twentieth century. They endowed their offspring with simple, flowing architectural lines and an elegant tower, which became the highlight of the building. The height of the tower was specially chosen; it repeats up to a centimeter the record (72.71 meters) set at the 1932 Olympics by the Finnish lance thrower Matti Järvinen.
The width of the bowl of the Olympic Stadium (Helsinki) is 159 meters, a length of 243 meters. The maximum attendance (70,435 fans) was recorded during the 1952 Olympics, when the stands were equipped with benches. Subsequently, the stadium was reconstructed several times, the lighting system was updated, canopies appeared over the central stands, protecting people from rain, benches were replaced with individual seats, which reduced the total capacity to 41 thousand.
History of the Olympic Stadium (Helsinki)
The idea of building a large stadium in Helsinki was formed in the first quarter of the twentieth century, when Finnish athletes announced their bright victories in various competitions. Finnish sports functionaries raised the issue of hosting the largest international championships and even the Olympics, announcing their readiness to create infrastructure and stadiums for the competition.
As a result, Finland received the right to host the 1940 Summer Olympics, and in 1938 the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki was also built. However, a world war broke out on the planet, the states did not have time for sports, all competitions were postponed indefinitely. Nevertheless, justice triumphed, the efforts of the Finns were not in vain.
1952 Olympics
The summer games were held in Helsinki in the summer of 1952. The opening of the Olympics, the main competitions and the closing ceremony took place at the Olympic Stadium, followed by up to 70,000 people. The Olympic torch brought to the stadium and lit the fire during the Games. Runner Paavo Nurmi - the greatest Finnish athlete who is still the world champion in the number of Olympic awards among athletes, he has 9 gold and 3 silver awards. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the stadium is located on Nurmi Street, and in a nearby park there is a monument to this outstanding athlete.
The Helsinki Olympics became the debut for the USSR team. Soviet athletes performed triumphantly and took second place in the overall medal standings, winning 22 gold medals, 30 silver and 19 bronze ones and declaring themselves to be a great sports power. There is an interesting incident related to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. The 1952 games have not been officially closed so far. The fact is that the Swede Siegfried Edström, who was the president of the IOC at that time, forgot to say the words obligatory in the closing speech: “I declare the Games of the Fifteenth Summer Olympics closed.”
Other sporting events
After the Olympics, the stadium did not stand idle; major competitions continued to be held on it. In 1957, the field was turned into an ice rink for the World Ice Hockey Championship, which the USSR team won. But the construction remained an ideal platform for athletics championships: in 1971, 1994, 2012 the world championships in athletics were held here, in 1983, 2005 - the European championships. The stadium is the home arena for the country's national football team.
Olympic Stadium Tower (Helsinki)
The high white tower erected together with the stadium in 1938 not only gives the structure a distinctive and easily recognizable appearance, but is also rightly considered one of the most significant landmarks in the Finnish capital. Helsinki's guests are primarily interested in its observation platform, where visitors are picked up by a high-speed elevator.
For safety, the playground is fenced with a net, so you can climb it with children. To visit the tower it is better to choose a sunny day, then it offers a particularly amazing view of Helsinki. Far below, at a glance lies the Gulf of Finland with leisurely gigantic ferries and diving boats, you can also easily see the nearby islands and the Sveaborg fortress. And of course, the entire historical center of the city is visible in detail: the Senate Square, the station, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Assumption Church, Market Square and much, much more.
Currently, another reconstruction is underway at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki), it is closed for visits, but authorities say that in 2019 its work will resume in full, tourists will again be able to admire the city from a height of seventy meters.
Most likely, the mode of operation of the tower will not change. Before the reconstruction, she received visitors from 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays, from 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. For an adult, a ticket cost 5 €; for children 6-17 years old - 2 €; children under 6 years old were admitted to the site for free; a family ticket for two adults and three children cost 12 €. For reference: 1 € is about 75 rubles.
Interesting Facts
- In addition to the most important football matches and athletics competitions, music concerts are held at the Olympic Stadium (Helsinki). During the year, the stadium is visited by several hundred thousand fans, tourists and music lovers.
- The Museum of Finnish Sports is located here, the exposition of which is dedicated both to the achievements of Finnish athletes and the history of the stadium. The museum is located next to the tower, a family ticket to the observation deck includes free admission to the Sports Museum.
- A cozy and inexpensive by Finnish standards hostel is located on the territory of the stadium overlooking a picturesque park. Stadion Hostel accommodates guests in sixty furnished rooms, it offers residents - kitchens and shower rooms on each floor, vending machines with snacks and drinks, laundry facilities, an outdoor terrace, free parking, a souvenir shop, a 24-hour reception.
- Within walking distance from the stadium are public transport; the shops; Pizzerias Cafe; restaurants