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Linnanmäki (Swedish: Borgbacken, colloquially Lintsi, lit.'Castle Hill') is an amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. It was opened on 27 May 1950 and is owned by the non-profit Children's Day Foundation (Finnish: Lasten Päivän Säätiö, Swedish: Stiftelsen Barnens Dag), which operates the park to raise funds for Finnish child welfare work. In 2023, the foundation donated €4.5 million, and so far has donated a total of over €130 million to this cause.[1]
Linnanmäki is the oldest and most popular amusement park in Finland.[4][5] It has many rides of different types and sizes,[6] and of the all Nordic amusement parks, Linnanmäki has the most rides in relation to the number of visitors.[4] It also has other attractions, including arcades, games, kiosks, restaurants and an outdoor stage on which different performers appear in the summer. The park is open from spring to autumn; the opening day is around May Day and the closing is in the third week of October. Linnanmäki is visited by over a million guests annually. In August 2006, Linnanmäki received its fifty-millionth visitor.[7]
History
One of the former water towers houses an indoor roller coaster, Linnunrata eXtra.
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) for the amusement park. In accordance with the city plan approved in 1956, the amusement park area was expanded to more than 7.2 ha (18 acres).[8] In 1957, the welfare organisations established the non-profit Children's Day Foundation, which continues to maintain and develop the amusement park.[1] Today, the site covers 7.5 hectares (19 acres).[3]
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 had two water towers, built in 1876 and 1938, respectively. The water towers are no longer in operation and were disconnected from the grid in 2003.[9] However, the towers are protected by the zoning plan of the city and cannot be demolished. In the future, it is hoped that the towers will be used year-round to support amusement park activities.[9] The older, angular tower near the perimeter of the amusement park—the 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.
Accidents
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.[10][11] 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 then fell in front of the train, which ran over him.[10][11]
The park
Vuoristorata, the main roller coaster, has been the most popular ride at Linnanmäki every year since its opening on 13 July, 1951.
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.
Rides and attractions
Linnanmäki currently has 42 rides, along with many other non-ride based attractions.[4] 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.[12]
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. The wristband allows the wearer unlimited access to all of the park's rides for the entire day, within the height limits of the rides. As of 2013[update], the wristband costs the same for each customer, regardless of height.[13] There is also a season pass available, with which a customer can have a personal wristband each opening day of the season.[14] In addition, separate priority boarding ticket is available for Taiga and Swingi, which allows the rider to skip the line through a separate entrance.
Linnanmäki also hosts various events and festivals every year, such as the popular iik!week horror festival[15] and traditional Valokarnevaali[16] ("Carnival of Light"), which are both held in the autumn and have been organized since 2016 and 2006, respectively. Until 2019, there was a big fireworks display at the end of the last day of the season, but since 2020 it has not been organized citing responsibility reasons.[17]
Mermaid hall
Linnanmäki mermaid hall. A male reporter is dropping during the photoshoot
Vedenneitohalli (English: Mermaid hall) was a dunk tank and one of Linnanmäki's most popular attractions in 1951–1980. It was owned and operated by Finnish fairground operator Lauri Seiterä with his wife Johanna.[18] Young female mermaid performers, dressed in swimsuits, would lie down on a platform above a pool behind a net. For a fee, visitors tried to hit a release button on a pole at the front of the net with a ball. When the ball hit the target, a lock at the top of the platform would open and the mermaid performer would fall into the water. In the 1970s, men were also being dropped after a women's organisation drew attention to the issue in the name of equality.[19]
Naisasialiitto Unioni, a Finnish women's organisation, considered the hall to be a demeaning place for women and in 1978 sent a letter to Linnanmäki's management. As a result, the hall was closed in 1980.[20]
Current rides
Kyöpelinvuoren hotelli, a dark ride at Linnanmäki.The older water tower, built in 1876, houses maintenance and storage facilities. Front: Mustekala ride (Polyp, Octopus)Paul Anka performing on the open air stage at Linnanmäki, 1959.
Custom coaster layout with theme design and construction by APW Group in the UK. Built inside a former water tower. Previously known as Space Express (2000–2003) and Linnunrata (2004–2015). For season 2016, optional virtual reality headsets were added to enhance the experience.
Launched roller coaster opening for the 2019 season. Custom layout, is the tallest (52 m, 171 ft), fastest (106 km/h, 66 mph) and longest (1,104 m, 3,622 ft) roller coaster in Finland. Taiga has two LSM launches, a top hat element and four inversions.[21] The track is located mostly in the area where Vonkaputous once stood, but has elements above Pikajuna and Tulireki, too. The station and queue building is constructed on the former site of Vekkula and Kotkot.
First and only operating e-Motion Coaster model. The gimmick of the ride are cars mounted on a suspension allowing them to rock back and forth and side to side.
Ukko
Maurer Söhne / SkyLoop XT 150
Steel roller coaster
2011
Currently the second tallest and fastest roller coaster in Finland.
Designed by Valdemar Lebech, one of seven operating roller coasters to feature brakemaster. Received ACE's "Coaster Classic" award in 2001.
Major rides
Name
Manufacturer / Model
Opened
Notes / Info
Autorata
Gebrüder IHLE Bruschal / Autoskooter ES-GP
1981 (renewed 2007)
Bumper cars. Originally the ride had its own canopy, but it is now located beneath the ferris wheel, where it moved in 2007. This is the third bumper car ride at Linnanmäki.
60 metres (200 ft) tall compressed air powered launch tower. Previously known as Space Shot (1999–2003).
Rinkeli
Technical Park / Ferris Wheel 32
2006
Ferris wheel, 32 metres (105 ft) in diameter, replaced old ferris wheel from 1964.
Swingi
Intamin / Gyro Swing
2024
Frisbee type pendulum ride. The ride is 24 metres (79 ft) high with a maximum swing height of 42 metres (138 ft), and it has a 40 passenger gondola. Replaced Kieputin (Top Spin).
Viikinkilaiva
Zierer / Viking
1981
Swinging ship ride, moved to current location in 2002. Previously known as Viking (1981–2003).
Family rides
Name
Manufacturer / Model
Opened
Notes / Info
Hepparata
Gebrüder IHLE Bruschal / Derby
1982
Galloping horse ride, moved to current location in 1998. Also known as Ratsastusrata (1982–1997).
HipHop
Moser Rides / Spring Ride 5+5
2000
Family tower ride, moved to current location in 2004.
Dark ride, theming designed and produced by Farmer Attractions Development in the UK. Kyöpelivuoren hotelli replaced old Kummitusjuna (ghost train) attraction, and the facade was the only thing that was reused for the new attraction.
Lohikäärme
Zierer / Dragon
1998
Oriental themed carousel. Previously known as Dragon (1998–2003). Relocated from Planet FunFun where the ride operated 1991–1995.
Pellen talo
Gosetto / Fun House
2018
Transportable funhouse mounted on a 16-metre (52 ft) semitrailer. This temporary attraction is installed at the park until new Vekkula funhouse is built. After that the attraction is moved into a Finnish traveling funfair.
Poppis
Gosetto / Party Dance
2016
Carousel with joysticks to rotate the gondolas.
Propelli
Zamperla / Magic Bikes
2016
Carousel with gondolas that can be elevated by pedaling. One gondola is designed to be accessible by a wheelchair, and the lifting is operated using a hand crank.
Circus-themed dark ride. Produced by Rex Studios in the UK. It replaced Around the World, produced by APW Group in 1997, and uses the same track and cars.
Kiddie rides
Name
Manufacturer / Model
Opened
Notes / Info
Helikopteri
BN Performance Rides / Elitoys
2006
Helicopter themed tower ride.
Kuuputin
Manorplan Leisure / Stellar Swings
2003
Small carousel with lunar theme.
Merirosvolaiva
Modern Products / Junior Pirate Ship
1988
Small swinging ship ride. Previously known as Pirate (1988–2003).
Muksupuksu
Zamperla / Rio Grande
1967 (renewed 1997, 2007)
Kiddie train ride circulating the water tower on 215 metres (705 ft) long track. Current Zamperla train installed in 1997. Station renewed in 2007. Original track by Paul Scwingel from 1967. Previously known as Pienoisrautatie (1967–2003).
Pienoiskaruselli
Claudio Sartori
1966
Small carousel with automotive theme.
Pilotti
Technical Park / Baby Aviator
2010
Kiddie airplane ride.
Rekkaralli
Zamperla / Convoy
1995 (renewed 2019)
Convoy truck ride. Station and track were renewed and cars were repainted in 2019.
Rumpukaruselli
SBF Rides / Clown Cups
1991
Small carousel with music theme.
Vankkuripyörä
Zamperla / Mini Ferris Wheel
1996
Small ferris wheel with Western theme. Previously known as High Chaparral (1996–2003). Moved to current location in 2011.
Attractions
Name
Manufacturer
Opened
Notes / Info
Kammokuja
Rex Studios
2003
Walkthrough horror attraction, features 3D elements.
Motelli
Linnanmäki
2021
Walkthrough horror attraction, featuring live actors. Built inside the watertower in a space previously used for storage. Motelli is open only during the Iik!week horror festival in September and the Carnival of Light event in October.
4D virtual reality cinema, current system installed in 2005. Original theatre building from 1996, original seat system was relocated to Wasalandia (2006–2016). The film changed in every two years. Previously known as Virtuaaliteatteri (1996–2001), Lintsi-Kino (2002–2006) and Kino (2007–2015). Cinema was closed 2020–2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. In 2022–2023 the space was used for live action theatre productions; a stage was built in place of the projection screen and speakers, and the signage was changed from Cinema to Pieni näyttämö ("Small Stage").
Kehrä
Emiliana Luna Park / Enterprise
2009
2023
Enterprise ride made in Italy. The ride was closed in June 2023 and it has since been standing but not operating. The ride is currently waiting for a spare part, a hydraulic cylinder.[22]
Sukelluskello HA-1
Budgast
2014
2020
4D virtual reality attraction. Previously known as Haipeli (pre-opening) and Haihyökkäys (2014). The attraction was closed 2020–2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and it has not opened since. The entrance, queue area and signage have been removed.
Removed rides and attractions
Name
Manufacturer / Model
Opened
Closed
Notes / Info
Apollo
Claudio Sartori
1986
1997
Small carousel. Replaced by Pallokaruselli. Relocations: Tykkimäki (1998–2011), Wasalandia (2012–2016).
Around the World
WGH / Suspended Monorail
1997
2004
Dark ride, also known as Nukketalo (2004). Produced by APW Group in the UK. It was replaced by Taikasirkus, which uses the same building and cars.
Autorata
1950
1964
First bumper car ride at the park, also known as Radioautorata. Replaced by the second Autorata (1965). Relocated to Tivoli Seiterä (1965–?).
Autorata
Gebrüder IHLE Bruschal / Autoskooter ES-SB
1965
1980
Second bumper car ride at the park. Relocations: Kalajoki fairground (1982–1984), Tykkimäki (1986–2004). Replaced by the current Autorata.
Replaced by Mustekala (Polyp), which was relocated to Brakedance's property due to the construction of the Sea Life aquarium and installation of Kahvikuppikaruselli. The ride was sold to a German showman Georg Sonnier.[23]
Calypso
Schwarzkopf / Calypso II
1967
1974
Replaced by Enterprise. Relocations: Särkänniemi (1975–1984), Tykkimäki (1986–present).
Replaced by Breakdance. Relocated to Tykkimäki (1988–2006). The ride was then bought by Nokkakivi where it was in storage. As of 2013, the ride is owned and operated by a showman Rene Lauwers in Belgium.[24]
Enterprise
Schwarzkopf / Enterprise III
1975
1998
Replaced by Space Shot (Raketti). Relocated to Tykkimäki (1999–2017).
Replaced by Cortina Jet. This ride was rented from Gröna Lund to operate for one season.
Formularata
1968
1995
Car circuit. Replaced by Virtuaaliteatteri (Kino). Relocated to Rocka al Mare funfair in Tallinn, Estonia, where it operated for some time.
Helsinki-pyörä
De Boer
1964
2005
Ferris wheel, previously known as Boston-pyörä (1964–1972). Replaced by Rinkeli. Relocated to Tykkimäki (2007–present).
Hully Gully
Bennett / Satellite
1972
1972
Trabant style spinning ride. This ride was rented from Swedish Skoghs Tivoli to operate for one season.
Hully Gully
Claudio Sartori / Hully Gully
1984
1985
Small carousel. Replaced by Apollo. Relocations: Tykkimäki (1986–2008), Nokkakivi (2010–present).
Hurlumhei
1952
1959
Funhouse, the predecessor of Vekkula.
Ipanarata
1971
1989
Kiddie roller coaster, replaced by City Express (Pikajuna).
Kapteeni Kidin merirosvolaiva
1970
1973
Pirate ship themed walkthrough area featuring a jungle gym.
Katapultti
Schwarzkopf / Katapult
1992
1993
First of five Katapult roller coasters built. This unit was a prototype, originally manufactured in 1980. It had been operating in at least three different locations before arriving at Linnanmäki.[25] The ride operated for two seasons and then it was removed due to continuous technical problems and sold. Replaced by Top Spin (Kieputin).
Replaced by Magia. Kieppi was one of only three HUSS Boosters ever built, and the sole park model. The ride was sold to Löffelhardt, a company which operated it as Ghost Rider in funfairs around Germany. As Kieppi was a park model intended for permanent installation, the ride's base was modified and retrofitted on a semitrailer.
Relocated to Särkänniemi, where it was in storage for some time.
Kieputin
HUSS Maschinenfabrik / Top Spin
1994
2022
Previously known as Top Spin (1994–2003). Repainted for the 2009 season. The ride was removed after the 2022 season and most of it was scrapped; some parts of the ride were sold abroad as spare parts. Replaced by Swingi.
Kivikylä
1966
1969
A walkthrough area themed around the Flintstones. The pond in the middle of the area with small rowing boats was spared, and it was in place until Tulireki was built for the 2004 season.
Kotkot
Modern Products / Track Ride
1993
2017
Farmhouse themed kiddie track ride. Moved to its last location in 2001, cars and theming renewed in 2004. Previously known as Hokkus Pokkus (1993–2003).
Kummitusjuna
1950
2012
Ghost train attraction that was present at the park since the beginning. First version was imported from Denmark and owned by Svend Jarlström. In 1959, it was relocated to its most recent location. For 1973 the attraction was thoroughly renewed, new track system by Schwarkopf was installed and theming was painted by Willy Willumsen. During 1973–1977 it was known as Satujuna ("Fable Train"), and featured more family friendly theming. From 1978 onwards, the ghost train theming returned. The facade and theming were renewed for 1986, and the name changed to Kauhulinna ("Horror Castle"). Next facade update followed in 2006, and the name changed back to Kummitusjuna. The attraction was demolished after the 2012 season; only the facade was reused for the new dark ride.
Lasten maailmanpyörä
Claudio Sartori
1979
1995
Kiddie ferris wheel. Replaced by High Chaparral (Vankkuripyörä). Relocated to Nokkakivi (2007–present).
Lasten mustekala
Barbieri / Juvenile
1990
1996
Small carousel. Relocated to Tykkimäki (1997–present).
Loch Ness
1951
1953
Small carousel.
Meteoriitti
Modern Products / Major Orbit
1990
1999
Small carousel. Replaced by HipHop. Relocated to Tykkimäki (2004–present).
Miniautot
Claudio Sartori
1978
2017
Kiddie bumper cars, moved to its last location in 2014. Replaced by Pellen talo. The ride was in storage, until it was sold at auction in 2022.
Replaced by Polyp (Mustekala). Subsequently scrapped.
Naurutalo
Linnanmäki
1967
2002
House of mirrors. Originally located on the ground floor of a restaurant building in the middle of the park. For season 1992, the attraction was moved to the space under the office building. The mirrors are still present at the park, located in the underpass near the last Naurutalo location.
Octopus
Eyerly Aircraft Company / Octopus
1951
1954
Replaced by Suihkio.
Pallokaruselli
Zamperla / Samba Balloon
1997
2015
Replaced by Propelli. Relocated to an unknown foreign amusement park.
Safari-themed dark ride built in the winter of 1982–1983 in a space of about 630 square metres (6,800 sq ft) cut out of a warehouse under the former water tower, featuring large sideways-moving cars with loudspeakers and mechatronic puppets seen along the track. The track was manufactured by the German animatronics company Christian Hofmann GmbH. The popularity of the ride, which in the early years attracted long queues, waned over the years, and part of the track was redesigned for the 1995 season as Indiana's Adventure, an Indiana Jones-themed dark ride, by APW Group.[26] Soon, however, popularity began to wane again, and in 1999 it faced its final season. In 2000, the ride was replaced by an indoor roller coaster Space Express (since renamed to Linnunrata eXtra). All the animatronics were sold abroad, and the cars were in storage at the park for some time.
Salaisuuksien talo
Sparks Creative
1989
1996
Funhouse featuring audiovisual effects, later known as Ihme ja kumma (1995–1996). It was replaced by Around the World (Nukketalo) in 1997. Partly relocated to Tykkimäki under the name Mysteerio (1997–2015).
Previously known as Rainbow (1984–2003). The ride was removed after 2009 season and it was in storage for a few years, but it was ultimately scrapped in 2014. The sun face was saved and it is on display at the park.
Sokkelo
Linnanmäki
2007
2011
Glass maze walkthrough, replaced by a gift shop.
Suihkio
Kaspar Klaus / Roto-Jet
1955
1986
Replaced by Mustekala. Relocated to Tykkimäki (1987–2011). Subsequently scrapped.
Relocated to Särkänniemi (1975–present). This ride was bought by Särkänniemi in 1974, but since the park did not open until 1975, the ride was rented to Linnanmäki to operate for one season.
Vauhtihirviö
Linnanmäki
1950
1952/57
Tilt-a-whirl ride. There were two identical rides at the park, named Vauhtihirviö 1 (operated 1950–1952) and Vauhtihirviö 2 (1950–1957).
A dunk tank. A popular attraction where spectators could throw balls at a pole that caused a mermaid performer to fall into water. It was closed in 1980 because it was considered degrading to women.[20]
Vekkula
Linnanmäki
1961
2017
Funhouse, original concept designed and built by Linnanmäki. The last facade designed and built by Rex Studios in 1995. Demolished after 2017 season due to the building to be in a condition beyond repair. Will be replaced by new Vekkula elsewhere in the park.
Second and last water roller coaster built by Premier Rides, first Premier Rides roller coaster built in Europe. Demolished after the 2017 season due to technical unreliability and excessive downtime.