Esplanadi

Esplanadi ( _sv. Esplanaden) is the collective name for two parallel streets and a park between them, located in the centre of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It is colloquially called "Espa".

The two streets constituting Esplanadi are officially named Pohjoisesplanadi (Swedish: Norra esplanaden), the northern street, and Eteläesplanadi (Swedish: Södra esplanaden), the southern street. To the north of Pohjoisesplanadi is Aleksanterinkatu, and at the eastern end is Kauppatori, the Helsinki market square and harbour. The park was originally opened in 1812.

The very big green park area between the two streets is very active in summer, when many Helsinkians come to hold picnics in the park. There are also numerous live music performances on a special outdoor stage in the park. There is a statue of Johan Ludwig Runeberg by his son Walter Runeberg in the park.