The history of this site begins in 1829 when the wooden Holy Trinity Church, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, was built. The city`s first cemetery emerged around it. However, in the 1910s, the cemetery was closed, the church was dismantled, and a park was established in its place. The memory of the original church lives on in the name Park of the Old Church (Vanha kirkkopuisto).
The more somber nickname—"Plague Park" (Ruttopuisto)—has even deeper roots. In 1710, when Finland was part of the Swedish Kingdom, a terrible plague epidemic swept through Europe. It did not bypass Helsingfors (the old name for Helsinki). A specific site outside the then-small city was allocated for the mass burial of plague victims. This very location later became the territory of this park. Thus, the land here holds the memory of two historical layers: the victims of the great epidemic and ordinary townspeople of the 19th century.
What to See in the Park: Memorials and Symbols
There are no lush flowerbeds or noisy cafes here, but there are dozens of old tombstones, monuments, and sculptures located among the shady alleys.
Plague Victim Memorial (Ruttomuistomerkki): The park`s central monument is a solemn granite stele, topped with a cross and a wreath. It was erected in 1910, designed by Walter Jung, and commemorates the tragedy of 1710.
Old Graves: Around the park, you can see preserved tombstones from the 18th-19th centuries from family plots. Many belonged to Swedish-speaking burghers, officers, and merchants—the city`s elite of that time. The inscriptions on the stones, often in Swedish, are fading with time but enhance the sense of connection to the past.
Memorial to the Fallen in the Civil War (1918): One of the most important monuments is dedicated to the "Whites" (the bourgeois forces of the Russian Empire) who died in the fratricidal conflict. The austere monument with a figure of an angel and the names of the fallen is a reminder of a complex and painful period in the history of independent Finland.
Elis Sedercreutz Monument: Notable is the monument to the well-known doctor who selflessly helped the sick during the cholera epidemic in the 1860s.
"Pelican" Sculpture: A symbolic bronze sculpture depicting a pelican feeding its young with its own blood. It is an ancient Christian symbol of self-sacrifice and love, fitting perfectly into the atmosphere of the place.
Remains of the Old Church Foundation: An observant eye will notice contours laid out on the ground—these are the traces of the foundation of that very Holy Trinity Church, which gave the park its name.
Atmosphere and Visiting Tips
Old Church Park is not for entertainment but is a memorial and historical site. It is a place for a solitary stroll, reflection, and an introduction to Helsinki`s history.
Best Time to Visit: The Park is beautiful in any season. It is particularly atmospheric in late autumn when fallen leaves cover the old stones, or on a quiet summer evening when the slanting rays of the sun illuminate the monuments.
How to Find It: The Park is located in the Kamppi district, not far from Mannerheimintie street. The nearest attractions are the Kamppi Chapel of Silence and the Kamppi Shopping Centre. Address: Simonkatu, 00100 Helsinki.
Old Church Park (Vanha kirkkopuisto) is a historically significant area in the center of Helsinki. Visiting it allows for a structured understanding of key events in the city`s history: from the mass burials during the 1710 plague epidemic to the functioning of the first city cemetery in the 19th century.
