Pitkäniemi

Hubby worked all day with boat maintenance tasks. In the evening we had a walk in the Pitkäniemi area in Nokia.

Pitkäniemi has been a mental hospital area built by the government in the end of the 19th century. In January 2024 wards moved from Pitkäniemi to the Tays hospital's central campus. 

Pitkäniemi was then one of the largest building projects in Finland and purposed to provide mental health services to entire Western Finland. 

The common supposition in the 19th century was that dwelling in nature and working outdoors is the best way to cure mental illnesses. The beautiful park were also added soon after buildings to Pitkäniemi.

29 hospital buildings designed by Magnus Schjerfbeck. The operation of the psychiatric hospital was self-sufficient well into the mid-20th century and wood was needed to heat the buildings, which was obtained from the hospital's own forest. Logs and other heavy loads were brought to the hospital along the watercourse by ship. From the hospital pier, small railway tracks led and heavy loads and woodwork was transported to the buildings.

Pitkäniemi area is a well-preserved and solid sample of public architecture in the later 19th century. In the picture is the administrative building (that was called Hallintola) and it was built as a reception and work space for doctors. On the second floor were the residences of doctors, deputies and housekeepers, and on the south wing was the church hall.

Birds have occupied the area. There were Canada Geese, Gulls protecting their chicks and swallow nests in the swimmers dock booth.


+16,7°C, partially sunny