Linnanmäki

Linnanmäki

Location Helsinki, Finland
Coordinates 60°11′18″N 024°56′25″E / 60.18833°N 24.94028°ECoordinates: 60°11′18″N 024°56′25″E / 60.18833°N 24.94028°E
Owner Lasten Päivän Säätiö
Opened May 27, 1950
Operating season April to October
Area 75,000 square metres (810,000 sq ft)
Rides
Total 43
Roller coasters 6
Water rides 2
Website www.linnanmaki.fi

Linnanmäki (Swedish: Borgbacken, colloquially Lintsi, literal translation Castle Hill) is an amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. It was opened on May 27, 1950 and is owned by non-profit Lasten Päivän Säätiö (Children's Day Foundation). Linnanmäki has 43 different rides of different sizes.[1] It also has other attractions, such as arcades, games, kiosks, restaurants and an outdoor stage on which different performers appear in the summer. In 2006, the park welcomed its 50th million visitor.

In 2007 Linnanmäki had 1.2 million visitors.[2]

Vuoristorata is the most popular ride in Linnanmäki. Opened in 1951, it is the last side friction roller coaster to be built

The Park

This city park is located just north of the city center of Helsinki. The park is located on a hill (Linnanmäki in Finnish means Castle Hill) with nice views of the city. The park feels rather compact and has no discernible theming; the rides and attraction are in close proximity. In addition to the amusement park there is a Sea Life Aquarium located near the entrance (additional charge). The monorail offers a view of the park; the Panorama Tower has excellent views of the city scape and beyond. The clown Rolle-Clown is the park´s mascot.

The park is easily reached from the city by tram nr 3, 8, 9 and bus nr 23.

Rides and attractions

Linnanmäki currently has 40 rides, along with many other non-ride based attractions. Probably the most notable ride in the park is the Wooden Roller Coaster or Vuoristorata in Finnish. This is the most recognisable symbol of the park, and was one of the first rides to be built at the park. The oldest ride in Linnanmäki is Karuselli (a carousel), built in 1896.

Linnanmäki also has many other big attractions, including Raketti, or "Rocket" (formerly Space Shot), which is a standard upwards-launched free fall tower, built in 1999 by S&S Power. Other roller coasters in the park include Tulireki, Linnunrata (an indoor roller coaster built inside a water tower, with a space theme), Pikajuna, and Finland's first water coaster, Vonkaputous.

In May 27, 2011, a new rollercoaster, named Ukko, was opened.

Roller Coasters

Ride Name Type Opening Year Manufacturer Additional Information
Kirnu (Churn) 4th Dimensional 2007 Intamin Reaches a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) on a 142 m (466 ft) long track and a height of 25 m (83 ft); height limit 1,4m. Zac spin ball coaster, car 4+2.
Linnunrata (Milky Way) steel sit down, enclosed 2000 Zierer Reaches a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) on a 360 m long track (1181ft) and a height of 7 m (23ft); height limit 1,2m. Force Custom model, train 2x10. Built inside a water tower.
Pikajuna (Express Train) steel sit down 1990 Mack Rides Reaches a speed of 37 km/h (23 mph) on a 293 m long track (961ft) and a height of 7 m (23ft); height limit none / 1,2m alone. Powered Custom model, train 2x20.
Salama (Lightning) spinning sit down coaster 2008 Maurer Söhne Reaches a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) on a 420 m long track (1378ft) and a height of 17 m (56ft); height limit 1,2m. Extended SC3000 model, car 2+2.
Tulireki (Fire Sleigh) steel sit down 2004 Mack Rides Reaches a speed of 58 km/h (36 mph) on a 336 m long track (1101ft) and a height of 16 m (54ft); height limit 1,2m. E-motion model, car 2x3.
Ukko (The god of sky and thunder, the overgod in Finnish mythology, literally Old Man) steel sit down 2011 Maurer Söhne Reaches a speed of 105 km/h (65 mph) on a 150 m long track (492ft) and a height of 46 m (151ft) with 2 inversions (including a 46 m SkyLoop); height limit 1,4m. SkyLoop xt-150 model, car 2x6.
Vuoristorata wooden sit down 1951 Svend Jarlström Reaches a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) on a 960 m long track (3149ft) and a height of 23 m (75ft); height limit 1,2. Train 2x11, designed by Valdemar Lebeck.

Water Rides

Other Rides

Kiddie Rides

Removed rides

General Information

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, which allows the wearer access to all of the park's rides for the entire day. As of 2013, the wristband costs the same for each customer, regardless of height.[3] The park also contains the "Peacock Teatteri", a theatre known for its musical productions. In addition to the park itself, guests can also visit a Sea Life Centre.

In 2007, a new roller coaster was built. It is a "Zacspin" model, known as Kirnu, and was built by Intamin, of Switzerland. Other changes for 2007 include the movement of the Autorata into the new space under the Rinkeli Ferris Wheel. In 2008, Linnanmäki put up a new rollercoaster Salama ("Lightning") above the Hurjakuru water ride. It was built by Maurer Söhne. Its speciality is spinning cars. For the summer 2014, Linnanmäki is getting a new 75 meters tall free fall tower "Kingi" ("The King") by Moser Rides.

Gallery of images

References

  1. ↑ "Linnanmäki – The Amusement Park: Rides". Retrieved 2012-05-29.
  2. ↑ "Matkailukohteiden kävijämäärät 2007". Finnish Tourist Board. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  3. ↑ Linnanmäki prices, 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Linnanmäki.