Vanhakaupunki
Gammelstaden | |
|---|---|
 Position of Vanhakaupunki within Helsinki | |
| Country |  Finland |
| Region | Uusimaa |
| Sub-region | Greater Helsinki |
| Municipality | Helsinki |
| District | Central |
| Area | 0.32 km2 (0.12 sq mi) |
| Population (1/1/04) | 225 |
| • Density | 703/km2 (1,820/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 00560 |
| Subdivision number | 27 |
| Neighbouring subdivisions | Toukola, Kumpula, Käpylä, Koskela, Oulunkylä, Viikki |
Vanhakaupunki (Finnish: [ˈʋɑnhɑˌkɑu̯puŋki]; Swedish: Gammelstaden) is a neighbourhood of the city of Helsinki, Finland, to the north of Toukola. It is also the name of a district of the city, which contains the neighbourhood and its surroundings. The name (meaning "old town") comes from the fact that Helsinki was originally founded in the Vanhakaupunki area. The Swedish name Gamla Helsingfors (meaning "Old Helsinki") appears in the new Helsinki foundation document from 1639, as the city was moved to its later location, and the forms Gamla staden or Gammelstaden came into use after this. The Finnish translation of the name only started appearing in the late 19th century. The current names were established as official in 1909. The neighbourhood was named Vanhakaupunki in 1959.
