Sipoonkorpi is a unique nature destination in Helsinki with a vibrant history. Read more and come for a visit in the national park.
Sipoonkorpi National Park was established in 2011. The region contains traces of the oldest known settlements in Southern Finland, and forests which remain largely in their natural state.
Sipoonkorpi region consists of 5400 hectares of forests, from which 2300 hectares inside the borders of Sipoonkorpi National Park. Altogether the region is the largest unbuilt and untouched forest area in Metropolitan Helsinki.
The national park was established following a joint initiative from FANC, Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, the largest non-governmental organization for environmental protection and nature conservation in Finland, and from Natur och Miljö organization, a local nature preserve group. In 2011 The Finnish parliament passed the law and the national park was established.
Sipoonkorpi region is a unique nature destination, with meadows, fields and pastures, and true wilderness areas. It is a known human settlement since there he 13th century, with ancient rock and wood carvings.
Hindsby village, an ancient settlement near Helsinki
Hindsby is located in the southern part of Byabäcken creek valley. It is theorised the first settlers arrived here from Northern Finland after the turn of the second millennia and started burning the forests in order to create pastures. In the 11th century more settlers arrived most likely from areas now known as Sweden, and these settlers begin farming the lowlands.
Hindsby farm dates back to 15th century, and in 16th century the Hovgärd mansion was built and the farm included in the mansion's properties. Farming and domestic animal raising continue in Hindsby today. The farm is owned by private entrepreneurs since 1990s.
Bergström croft dates back to 18th century
Near Ängesböle camping area lies the Bergström croft, which tells a fascinating story about the way of life in 18th century Finland. During the 1700s peasants were given the right to build crofts on mansion lands, a welcome exchange of hard physical labour for tax benefits and more independence from the mansion masters. The Bergström croft is most likely a result of such an agreement between the Bergström peasant and the Hovgård mansion lord.
The croft culture, even if it progressed the peasants' rights, was still seen as exploiting the peasantry, and a modern land reform was announced in Finland in the early 20th century.
A wilderness near Metropolitan Helsinki
Even though a lot of forest were subjugated to lumber industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, large untouched forests still remain in Sipoonkorpi. This is due to the complex owning rights of the forests and the rocky terrain, on which the forests sit. It was simply easier to cut down those forests which sat on lower and more even terrain.
