Old Church Park — Attraction in Helsinki sub-region

This is a must stop for history people like me! This is an old Plague Cemetery from 1710 with some of the graves still intact from 19th century. The park is also known as Ruttopuisto; The Plague Park. The plague epidemic in 1710 killed 2/3 of Helsinki's population. This emergency cemetery was build next to a mass grave, which was located at the crossroads of Bulevardi and Fredrikinkatu streets, left (south-west) from Vanha Kirkkopuisto park. I have marked it down on a map into my photos of Vanha kirkkopuisto for all fellow history geeks.

It's not a big park, it's nothing fancy but it is super unique both from history's and parks' point of views. How many old cemeteries with intact graves turned into casual and cozy parks are there? Not many!

Vanha kirkkopuisto/Ruttopuisto is at its prettiest during autumn time when the leaves turn into different shades of red, orange and yellow....

The old church park or the park of old church or "ruttopuisto" (aka "the plague park" as it's called in spoken language) is a popular place to hang around during summer. Winter is an inflation season at this park. People tend to be inside during winter for some strange reason.

Ruttopuisto is liked especially among young people and students. They can spend relatively long periods of time here drinking stimulant beverages and eating various kind of outdoor food. Some of these younglings like to play certain kind of games and wearing usually colorful overall gilded with chevrons - this usually happens in autumn when schools start.

Ruttopuisto (or plague park) got its name from the history of this area. There was a raging plague in Helsinki area at 1710 and around this spot was a graveyard where at least 1185 victims of this...

Pleasant Helsinki Central Park with quaint Evangelical Lutheran Church. Also known as "Plague Park" in reference to the nearly 1200 victims who perished in the outbreak of 1710 and who were interred in the vicinity. However in 1829 the larger Hietaniemi Cemetery opened resulting in the Old Church burial site becoming redundant, although 48 gravestones recorded as far back as 1790 are still evident here. Nowadays visitors can stroll around its crushed stone paths or relax on benches midst Beech, Ash and Ornamental Apple trees and admire splendidly kept rose bush beds, obviously more to be appreciated during...