Global InformationMikonkatu information
Mikonkatu (Swedish: Mikaelsgatan) is a street in central Helsinki, Finland, leading north from the Esplanadi Park to the Kaisaniemi Park, mostly converted into a pedestrian street in 1992.
Mikonkatu was named in 1820 after Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich of Russia (1798 - 1849), brother of Emperor of Russia Alexander I. The street was built into its current length and form in 1830. The Finnish name of street was Mikaelinkatu from 1909 to 1928.[1]
There are tram tracks on Mikonkatu, going along the eastern edge of the Helsinki Railway Square to Kaivokatu. Trams travelled on this Vilhonkatu - Mikonkatu route in both directions until 1950, when a new route along Kaisaniemenkatu was opened from Kaivokatu towards Kaisaniemi. The trams travelled from Kaisaniemi to Kaivokatu along Vilhonkatu and Mikonkatu until 1994, when the tram track along Kaisaniemenkatu was widened to two lanes. The Vilhonkatu - Mikonkatu route is still used for tram traffic on special occasions.
A two-lane, partly self-intersecting tram track was built on Mikonkatu between Aleksanterinkatu and Kaivokatu in early 2009. Once the Helsinki central service tunnel is ready, it will replace the service traffic on Mikonkatu.[citation needed]
There are plans to cover the part of Mikonkatu between Aleksanterinkatu and Pohjoisesplanadi.[2]
- ^ Terho, Olavi et al. (ed.): Helsingin kadunnimet, p. 122. Publications of the city of Helsinki 24, 1970, Helsinki.
- ^ Mikonkatu aiotaan kattaa Esplanadin ja Aleksanterinkadun väliltä, Helsingin Sanomat 26 April 2007.