Published in: Helsingin Uutiset, 1st of August, 2004

- THE MEMORIAL TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HELSINKI, IS HIDDEN IN THE OLD TOWN

- In the old town, near the busy Koskelantie, the history of Helsinki is hidden in the bushes. The memorials to the establishment of Helsinki, are not part of the normal tourist attractions and people living in Helsinki, don't normally walk here. If you are looking them, you'd better take a map into your hands, so that you are able to find the remote Kirkkorinne and it's memorials. The city of Helsinki was established in 1550 at the entrance of Vantaanjoki. By the order of Gustav Vasa, the King of Sweden-Finland, the negotiations to move the middle class from Rauma, Ulvila, Tammisaari and Porvoo to the newly established village, started in 12th of June 1550. The city of Helsinki erected a memorial in 1950, to celebrate it's 400 years of history. The memorial, which is made out of dark granite, was designed by the sculptor Yrjö Rasola. The memorial has a text: "To this place, the King Gustav Vasa, established the city of Helsinki in 1550" The memorial is made out of three pieces. Along with the bigger stone sculpture, is a smaller stone which has the text, in which Gustav Vasa ordered the middle class to move to Helsinki. Additionally, there's a plague, which contains a relief from the Helsinki town plan, during the years 1550 to 1640. This was the time, when the city was located at the entrance of Vantaanjoki.

- From the same area in old town, you can also find a memorial to the first church and graveyard in Helsinki. The only thing that remains from the church, is the foundation of the church and the stone fence, that surrounds the place. At the beginning of the last century, few graves were also discovered during the archeological diggings. The only thing that remains from those, is the reconstructed tombstone of the Dutch merchant, Hans van Sanden. Hans van Sanden who died in 1590, was among the few wealthiest people from the middle class in Helsinki.