Helsinki Sompasaari And Nihti, May 2024
Music Track: Mare Tranquillitatis by | e s c p | escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Historical Background:
Originally an island, Sompasaari was connected to the mainland through land reclamation.
It became part of Sörnäinen harbor, and the entire harbor area was sometimes referred to as Sompasaari.
The harbor operations ceased in 2008 when they moved to the new Vuosaari harbor.
In 2016, Sompasaari was transformed into a residential area by digging the Sompasaarenkanava canal, which separates it from Kalasatama.
Name Origins:
The oldest documented name for the island was Sompeholmen in 1569.
Over time, it appeared as Sompareholmen, Sumparen, and Sumpörn in various maps.
The Finnish names included Sumparni and Sumppari.
The current Finnish name, Sompasaari, was established in 1928.
The Swedish name refers to a “fish swamp” and has its origins in an old fish market; the word “sump” comes from Low German.
Technically, the more accurate Finnish name would be Sumppusaari.
Recreational Use:
In the 1950s, Sompasaari served as a recreational destination for Helsinki residents, accessible by steamboat.
The island had summer cottages and a diverse plant life due to a garden established in the 1840s.
Today, only Korkeasaari and Mustikkamaa remain from the neighboring islands.
Nihti (known as Knekten in Swedish) is an island located in the eastern city center of Helsinki, Finland. Together with the neighboring Sompasaari, it forms a sub-area within the Sörnäinen district. Here are some interesting details about Nihti:
Historical Background:
Nihti was originally an island but was later connected to the mainland through land reclamation.
It became part of Sörnäinen harbor and served as an extension of the harbor area.
However, both Nihti and Sompasaari were eventually separated from the mainland by canals after the harbor operations ceased.
Nihti is currently being developed into a residential area for approximately 3,000 residents, with completion expected by 2030.
The construction phase began in July 2021.
Starting from 2027, Nihti will be part of the Kruunusillat tramway connecting the city center to Laajasalo.
The tramway will provide convenient access to Merihaka and Korkeasaari.
Recreational Past:
In the early 20th century, Nihti was home to W. A. Svensson, the harbor master of Sörnäinen.
Svensson was an avid gardener, cultivating flowers and fruits for sale at the market.
During summers, steamboats provided access to Nihti, and it was a popular destination for recreational activities.
Winter visitors enjoyed a sled hill extending onto the frozen sea, where four people could ride a sled together.
In 1913, the island’s old villa became the property of the Helsinki Yacht Club1.
Current Developments:
Nihti’s transformation includes residential buildings, a tramway connection, and a central role in public transportation.
The Kalasatama-Pasila tramway’s terminal station will be located in Nihti, making it a key hub.
Exciting times lie ahead for this evolving island!
23 май 2024
