The Huutoniemi hospital area is located east of the city in the corner formed by Huutoniementie and Yhdystie. The area borders the Aaltopuisto residential area on its eastern edge. The psychiatry unit of Vaasa Central Hospital, the Novia University of Applied Sciences and two daycare centres are located there. Parking areas can be found, for example, on the west and south edges of the area. The area has extensive green spaces, mostly divided only by narrow roads. The area’s hospital history dates back to the 1920s and gives it a distinctive character. The different phases and development of the area create layers both in the building stock and in the surrounding green areas.
The cultural history of the Huutoniemi hospital area that is still visible today is closely linked to the operation and development of the psychiatric hospital on the site. The first buildings were erected in the 1920s. At that time, a birch avenue was also planted in front of the main entrance of the so-called Old Pavilion. The avenue no longer serves as a thoroughfare, but the birch avenue—shortened from its original length and with occasional gaps—still exists.
The hospital area has expanded and the number of buildings gradually increased up until the 1980s. Changes to the buildings have continued since then as well; for example, the building at the area’s northeast corner has received an additional wing. The green environment of Huutoniemi Hospital has also developed into a varied and distinctive setting. It offers interesting sights around every corner for visitors, so it is worth keeping your eyes open while walking in the area.
When visiting the area you can, depending on your interest, walk along the roads that run through and around the hospital area and admire the impressive buildings and the diverse woody vegetation. All roads in the area are accessible. Those who are able-bodied can, for example, try to find a lost orchard among the trees behind the present daycare Pax. The area also has charming gazebos, but unfortunately they are not accessible.
You can visit the Huutoniemi hospital area at any time of year. There is plenty to see throughout the growing season. In particular, check the beautiful red blossoms of the rose-hawthorns in June in front of the Old Pavilion. Many other ornamental shrubs — such as rhododendrons, mock-oranges, lilacs and roses — also decorate the hospital area in summer. In spring you can admire the cherry blossom around the chapel as well as yellow anemones and Siberian squills on the lawns in the western part of the area. Also of interest are, for example, the soft, downy leaves of certain woolly-leaved plants near the chapel and two old horse chestnut trees along the trimmed birch avenue leading to the building at the area’s northeast corner. The area hosts some seventy different woody plant species, so there is plenty to explore.