We’re now approaching the darkest time of year here in Finland, and as I’ve always been interested in my home town’s dark history, what could be more intriguing than its cruelest practices: executions.
Like in many European cities, in Helsinki too, execution sites were used in past centuries to deal with the most deranged and dangerous criminals. The definition of “deranged and dangerous” was also much broader than it is today, so a lot of execution sites were needed. Church held a powerful role in society, and parts of the Old Testament, Books of Moses to be exact, remained embedded in legal statutes until 1734. Incest, adultery, bigamy, and bestiality were the causes of many death sentences.
Many of the infamous execution sites can be found right in the centre of Helsinki, so this makes up as a nice little downtown stroll.
Senate Square
In the 18th century, individuals who had received sentences were still hanged and executed at the Senate Square, which was then called the Great Square.
Senate Square may have been a suitable place for the punishments. The somber sight of those facing their final judgment created a powerful, dramatic spectacle, intended to serve as a deterrent.
These public executions, staged in front of gathered crowds, were meant to steer citizens away from a criminal path by demonstrating the consequences – in the harshest possible manner – through public executions for the audience that came to witness them.
Where? Senate Square
Tähtitorninmäki
These days a popular site for enjoying May Day festivities or winter sledding, the slopes of the Observatory Hill (Tähtitorninmäki) have seen some more horrifying days.
In the 1600s the hill had both a pillory and an execution site. The old trees on that hill have seen their fair share of atrocities.
Where? Tähtitorninvuori
Freda 54
In the 1800s there was a public execution site at what is now Fredrikinkatu 54 in the Kamppi district, approximately at the corner of the movie theater complex Tennispalatsi. The last executed was Helena Margareta Nystedt in 1819 for murdering a skipper’s widow. In need of money, Nystedt had stolen the widow’s silverwear and burned her house, resulting in the widow’s death. The sentence was cruel: decapitation and cutting of hand and burning. Not sure in which order that was executed.
Where? Fredrikinkatu 54
Linnankoskenpuisto
At the end of the 18th century, Töölö was still a forested area, a suburb in a sparsely populated part of the town. Here, at the corner of Töölönkatu and Linnankoskenkatu, was an execution site until the beginning of the 19th century. Today, you can try and sense the dark stories while enjoying an evening walk in the quiet park.
Where? Linnankoskenkatu
Gallows and beheading site in Siltavuorenmäki
When Helsinki was moved to Vironniemi in 1640 on the order of Count Per Brahe the Younger, the main execution site was probably moved to Kruununhaka, Siltavuorenmäki. This was the outskirts of town at the time, near a main road, which made it an ideal place for the executioner to do his work. However, execution was a big event, and townspeople arrived in droves to watch the delivery. The last execution took place here in the 1720s. Though according to legend, there was still a gallows on Maurinkatu in the early 1800s.
Where? Northern end of Maurinkatu
Gallows rock in Arabia
The oldest execution site in Helsinki was erected along the Arabianranta shoreline in 1550. Helsinki did not have its own executioner at the time, so executioners from Turku and Hämeenlinna travelled to Helsinki to do the job. In addition to thieves, such as the weaver Kutoja-Yrjö in 1625, and many murderers, many nobles connected to Sigismund III were also hanged here. Today you will find the Bokvillaninpuisto park here.
Where? Hämeentie 125
Execution site in Lestimäki, Suutarila
Lestimäki in Suutarila, Northern Helsinki, was an execution site in the 1700s. It is included in a map of the land and forests belonging to the Parish of Helsinki in 1776. At the time, Lestimäki was a remote location that was used for the execution of major criminals.
Where? Lestikuja 3
See all sites on a map
Sources (in Finnish):
Kirkko ja kaupunki: Pääkaupunkiseudulta löytyy vanhoja, merkitsemättömiä mestauspaikkoja (Read here)
Stadissa.fi: Varjojen Helsinki – Teloituspaikat Helsingissä
Artova.fi: Hirsipuunkallio
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