Vantaa is a satellite town of the capital Helsinki. It is located in the southern part of Finland on the river Vantaanjoki, which has given the name to this city. Vantaa rounds the capital from the north and north-east and only 19 kilometers separate this city from Helsinki.
Some history of Vantaa
The first mention about Vantaa was in 1351. Its name was Helsing then. At that time Estonian Cistercian monastery Padise received the right to catch salmon on the river Vantaa from the Swedish King Magnus II.
In 1972 Vantaa ceased to be the agricultural community of Helsinki and officially joined the list of Finnish cities.
Modern Vantaa
Vantaa is a major trade, transport and logistics center in Finland and the fourth largest city in the country nowadays. The main microdistricts of Vantaa are Tikkurila (there is an administrative center), Kojvukula, Corso, Mujurmaki, Martinlaakso and Hakunila. Proximity to the capital works towards the constant technological and cultural development of the city.
Airport “Helsinki-Vantaa”
First of all Vantaa is known due to the largest airport in the country – “Helsinki-Vantaa”, which is one of 25 airports in Aviation Administration of Finland. Airport “Helsinki-Vantaa” takes on most of the international air transportation. Besides, there are many convenience stores, restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops on its territory.
Famous names in the life of Vantaa
In addition, Vantaa was glorified by the famous Finnish race drivers – Mikki Hakkinen, the winner of the championship of Formula 1, and Jyrki Jarvilehto. They lived in the microdistrict Martinlaakso and even attended the same school.
Sights in Vantaa
There are interesting sights and places for leisure in Vantaa as well as in any other city in Finland.
Research and Exhibition Centre “Eureka” is one of such places. It acquaints the visitors with the latest developments in science, engineering and high technology. “Eureka” is very popular among the younger generation.
After simple and accessible explanations of professional staff in this center, the visitors can drop in the restaurant “Archimedes” and have a meal.
There is, certainly, a place for the museum of aviation in the city with the airport. Tourists will learn the history of appearing and development of Finnish aviation there.
City Museum of Vantaa is located in the old building of railway station in Finland (1861). It will acquaint with the exhibits of local history.
Restaurant “King’s Salmons” is a favorite place for visitors and citizens of Vantaa. It is known not only due the refined cuisine, but also due some curious historical facts. The visitors of this restaurant will be able to appreciate the taste of traditional Finnish dishes of Tikkurila as well as to admire the picturesque scenery of the rapid Vantaankoski, the ancient ruins of mill and village storehouses.
The other sights in Vantaa are also worth of seeing: the museums of village architecture, of tractors and agricultural machinery, of peasant life, the Church of St. Lawrence and Nissbakk’s park of sculptures.
Shopping in Vantaa
Shoppers in Vantaa will be able to walk through the trade district, which is located near the city center. Large food supermarkets, department stores of clothing, footwear, accessories, furniture stores will delight ther customers with pleasant shopping. Such stores as “Euromarket”, “Prisma”, “Bauhaus” and “Gigantii” are the most popular with tourists, especially from Russia.
