Picturesque places in Helsinki and surroundings. Finland, Helsinki: attractions, photos and reviews of tourists
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. This is the most Big city country with a population of over 630,000 people. It belongs to the best, safest and expensive cities peace. The centers of Finnish and international business, science, culture and education are concentrated here.
The city has preserved sights and memorable places related to the history of the country, including neighboring countries Sweden and Russia.
It is considered a city preferred by tourists. It is visited annually by millions of tourists from Europe and other countries.
One of the oldest Finnish theaters was opened in 1880 by S.F. Gunot "Faust". In honor of Emperor Alexander II, it became known as the Alexander Russian State Theater.
The theater was built for the Russians, who lived in the city at that time. In the future, many prominent representatives of Russian and Finnish art performed on its stage. Initially, the repertoire consisted of opera performances. In the future, performances of other genres were staged here.
Location: Albertinkatu - 32.
This free museum dedicated to the history of the capital presents different periods of the city's development. Various exhibits and exhibitions tell about its development from a small town to the capital of the state. The departments of the museum located in different parts of the city are interesting. They give an idea of the life and life of representatives of different social strata, the development of public transport, electricity, and school education. In working with visitors, computer animation, projection, and virtual reality are widely used.
Location: Aleksanterinkatu - 16.
In August 2011, a musical culture center was opened in the city on the shore of the bay, which is called the Helsinki House of Music. It has a capacity for 1700 people Big hall and several smaller rooms. They are intended for chamber music, contemporary dance, musical experiments, folk music and jazz. There are several organs in the organ hall. The best Japanese specialists were engaged in the development of acoustic systems.
Location: Mannerheimintie - 13A.
In the historical center of the city, on the corner of Senate Square, there is the oldest two-story stone building in the capital. It was built in 1775 for the wealthy merchant Sederholm. Warehouses were located in his basements, an office and a shop on the first floor, his family lived on the second.
The mansion had several owners. In 1949 it was bought by the city municipality, which in 1985 gave it to the city museum. Today, the house is a branch of the city museum, introducing visitors to the life of merchants in the 18th century.
Location: Aleksanterinkatu - 18.
One of the favorite places for recreation of residents and guests of the Finnish capital for more than a century is the Winter Garden in the city center. This indoor greenhouse was created in the nineteenth century by Major General Jakob Lindfors.
In his will, he asked to make the entrance to it free. His will is steadily observed, and the townspeople freely visit the garden at any time, make appointments and dates here, admire exotic plants. The garden is especially popular in snowy cold winters.
Location: Hammarskjöldintie - 1A.
To the east of the capital, on the island of Korkeasaari, there is a year-round zoo beloved by Finns and guests of the country. The snow leopard was chosen as its symbol. zoo area over 22 hectares. This allows you to comfortably accommodate two hundred species of animals, a tenth of which are considered rare and endangered. In total, there are over two thousand animals and birds in this territory. There are also thousands of plant species growing here. Comes here every winter great amount people to participate in the ice sculpture competition.
Location: Mustikkamaanpolku - 12.
This is the name of the system of defensive fortifications located on seven rocky islands, which are called "Wolf Skerries". Bastions with guns, the necessary premises, a church, and moorings were built on the islands. Until the middle of the 20th century, it was intended to protect the city from the sea.
It is a common practice in the Finnish capital to use old industrial buildings for cultural projects. One of them is the cultural factory " Korjaamo”, which is located in a former tram depot in the city center. It has become one of the largest cultural centers of the country.
It includes theater and concert halls, exhibition galleries, shop, bar, cafe and tram museum. Every year an international festival of modern theaters is held here.
Location: Töölonkatu 51 a-b.
This one of the most visited museums in the country is also called the Center for Visual Culture. It is part of the Finnish National Gallery. The Art Nouveau building was opened in 1998. It is located on Mannerheim Square near the monument to this Finnish marshal. There are about four thousand works of contemporary art in the museum's funds. Permanent and temporary exhibitions of exhibits from the museum's funds are regularly updated here.
Location: Mannerheiminaukio - 2.
In Helsinki on Mannerheim Avenue is located National Museum, representing a huge number of unique exhibits on the history of Finland. The construction of the building for it was completed in 1910, and in 1916 the museum received its first visitors.
Many exhibits were found during excavations by archaeologists in the country. The exposition presents unique documents and photographs, collections of jewelry, weapons, coins, orders and medals, and other artifacts.
Location: Mannerheimintie - 34.
Since the end of the 19th century, this island in the city center has been extremely popular with residents of the capital. In 1909, a museum was opened here under open sky, which occupies almost a third of the island. Ancient wooden buildings were brought here from different regions of the country. They show the traditional building culture of the Finns and the way of life of representatives of different strata of society. The museum hosts folklore holidays and festivals, and other exciting events.
In 1969, a monument to him was unveiled in a picturesque park named after the outstanding Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It is a sculptural portrait of him, next to which is a composition of undulating pipes resembling elements of an organ. Symphonic works by J. Sibelius are popular all over the world. It is performed by the leading musical groups of the world. Smaller copies of the monument are installed at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris and the United Nations in New York.
Location: Sibeliuksen puisto, Mechelininkatu.
Incredibly popular amusement park Linnanmäki was opened in 1950 by the Finnish Children's Day Foundation. There are dozens of different attractions for all age groups, which are constantly updated. It was in this park that an ultra-modern oceanarium was built, in which marine animals from all over the world are displayed. It is visited by over a million people every year. Profits from this important social project are directed to charitable purposes.
Location: Tivolikuja - 1.
This is usually quiet place on weekends it becomes a real noisy and bustling market on the seashore. The square is not only a trading platform where you can have a good rest with a drink and a snack. This is an unusually picturesque place with a port, a presidential palace and a beautiful park.
Here you can admire the symbol of the Finnish capital - the bronze fountain "Sea Nymph". In addition, the obelisk of the Empress with a double-headed eagle stands on the square. It was placed here in memory of the visit of the Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna to the then Helsingfors, which took place in 1835.
This area is considered calling card capitals of Finland. It was arranged in the style of late classicism in the city center after the country became part of Russian Empire. The area is rich in architectural monuments.
A huge Nicholas Cathedral was erected here. In the 18th century, the stone house of Sederholm was built in this place. In 1894, a monument to Emperor Alexander II was erected in front of the cathedral in honor of the restoration of parliamentarism in the country.
This largest Orthodox cathedral in northwestern Europe was built in 1868, when Finland was part of the Russian Empire. A temple was built in the pseudo-Byzantine style and consecrated in honor of the Assumption Holy Mother of God. It is the cathedral church of the Helsinki Orthodox diocese. It stands on a high rock in the center of the city at the base of the peninsula. Thanks to the total height of 51 meters, beautiful panoramas of the city and the bay open from the platform in front of the cathedral.
Location: Kanavakatu - 1.
The country's oldest and largest university has 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It ranked 67 out of 500 world-class universities in 2015. It provides a high level of training of specialists in accordance with European standards of the Bologna process. In it, with a special computer program, all students' theses are checked for plagiarism. If it is detected, the student may be dismissed from the university for a year. Education at this university is free.
This is the name of the only museum in the country, created on the basis of a large collection of European masters of the XIV-XIX centuries, collected by a major beer producer N.P. Sinebryukhov. The gallery is located in a house built by him in 1842. Here are the works of prominent artists from England, Germany, Holland, Spain, Italy, France and Sweden. You can also get acquainted with home interior items, a cabinet of miniatures, and graphics. The museum's collection was replenished with gifts and other receipts.
Location: Bulevardi - 40.
In 1969, a Lutheran parish church was consecrated on the Temple Square of the capital, the interior of which was cut into the rock. This was conceived by Finnish architects to preserve the original landscape of the square. The temple has an unusual design, which attracts many architecture lovers here. Natural light enters it through a glass dome.
High quality acoustics is created by the raw rock surfaces. On one of the days in 2006, church hymns were held to the sounds of "heavy" rock. Music concerts are held here.
Location: Lutherinkatu - 3.
The capital of Finland - the quiet and peaceful city of Helsinki - attracts with its fresh sea air, magnificent architecture and wonderful sights. The Finnish capital is located very close to the Russian border, and low ticket prices and simple visa processing have allowed Helsinki to gain popularity among tourists. Although Finland is still a very young state in terms of independence, its capital has many cultural and architectural monuments antiquities. So let's take a look at the main sights of Helsinki in details.
1. Helsinki Senate Square
Acquaintance with the main sights of Helsinki, perhaps, is worth starting with the Senate Square. This place is the soul and heart of the city. It is here that all significant folk festivals take place: celebrations of Independence Day, New Year and May Day fireworks. On ordinary days, many locals and guests of the city walk on the square. The atmosphere of this place is filled with the Finnish spirit and is conducive to a leisurely walk.
2. Cathedral
The main religious landmark of Helsinki is St. Nicholas Cathedral. This is one of the three buildings located along the perimeter of the Senate Square. The facade of the building is very similar to appearance St. Isaac's Cathedral, which is located in northern capital Russia. Moreover, the temples were even built in the same period. Inside, the cathedral is simple and modest. In the underground part of the shrine, you can visit the crypt, which serves as a venue for exhibitions and concert performances.
3. Market Square
The busiest place in Helsinki is the Kauppatori market square, which is located right on the shore of the bay. Every year, thousands of tourists come here for the annual Herring Festival, which has been celebrated for more than 4 centuries. main decorations market square are the bronze fountain "Sea Nymph" and the obelisk of the Empress, installed in honor of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna in 1835. Kauppatori is the heart of the city, where everyone can buy a memorable souvenir and enjoy delicious delicacies.
The sea fortress of Sveaborg, which has survived to this day, has become one of the most valuable historical sights of Helsinki, which every tourist should visit. It was erected in the middle of the 18th century, at a time when Finland was still part of the Swedish state. For a long time, Sveaborg was an important port fortification of the city. Now famous people are here. historical museums Helsinki, which attracts many tourists every year.
5. Church in the rock
A rather atypical religious attraction not only in the capital of Finland, but throughout Europe (and possibly the world) is the Church in the rock. This shrine cannot boast a long history - it is just over half a century old - or a magnificent architectural structure. The founders of the church were of the opinion that the shrine should be modest and a little with rough features. A dome was placed on top of the funnel from the explosion in the rock - this is how the Finnish temple of the “new type” appeared, which tourists also like to visit.
6. Esplanade Park
Almost in the very central part of the capital, the Esplanade linden park is located - a great place in Helsinki for walking and family vacation. Tree planting was planned in 1812, and ten years later the park was laid out. A wonderful linden grove gives its coolness on hot days and pleases strollers with its appearance.
On the territory of the Esplanade there are restaurants, cafes and a concert venue, which very often hosts various jazz, blues, folk and rock festivals. The symbol of Espa is also the original fountain, decorated with sculpture beautiful girl- Havis Amanda or "sea nymph" in Swedish.
7. Zoo in Helsinki
Korkeasaari Zoo is the best place in Helsinki for tourists who decide to visit the capital of Finland with the whole family. In it you can see over a hundred species of representatives of the animal world and about a thousand species of plants. A visit to the zoo can take a long time, which will not be in vain and will bring a lot of impressions to visitors.
8. Linnanmäki
Another top attraction in Helsinki for families with children is Finland's oldest amusement park, Linnanmäki. The opening of the park took place in the middle of the last century, and it is still very popular both among the residents of the capital and among tourists who come here. Visitors to this place will find several dozen exciting attractions for all ages (including infants), an aquarium, a cinema, a theater, many shops, cafes and other entertainment venues.
9. Sea Life Marine Center
The Sea Life Maritime Center is a wonderful place in Helsinki, where visitors are literally immersed in an amazing realm underwater world while being in the city center. Sea Life is located in close proximity to Linnanmäki, which will allow you to go for a walk to the aquarium after visiting the amusement park. Big number The inhabitants of the underwater world - from jellyfish and coral fish to sharks - delight children and adults in equal measure. Be sure to visit this place!
10. Design Museum
A separate branch in contemporary museum art is design. As one of the oldest of its kind, the Design Museum in Helsinki was well ahead of its time. At a time when design was just emerging as an independent discipline, thematic exhibitions were already held in this museum. Today, the museum's exposition continues to present magnificent design creations to the public and is not going to slow down.
11. Museum of Contemporary Art "Kiasma"
Quite an unusual attraction in Helsinki among the museum "inhabitants" can be called the Kiasma Museum. In fact, it is more like a union of many areas of modern and traditional art. In total, here you can see 25 expositions, each of which is dedicated to a certain type of art. At the entrance you can get an electronic guide that supports all languages, with the help of which it will be easier for the visitor to understand the exhibitions and find those of interest.
12. National Museum of Finland
The most interesting places to visit in Helsinki include the National Museum of Finland. This is a real treasure trove of art and culture of the country. The architecture of the museum is made in the beautiful style of a medieval Finnish castle. The expositions cover all periods of the life and development of the state. Here you can visit permanent and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the culture, history and ethnicity of Finland. For tourist groups from Russia, Russian-speaking guides and guides work in the museum. This is the first attraction you need to visit in Helsinki if you want to get acquainted with the culture of Finland.
13. Ateneum
The Ateneum Art Museum is a true gem of the capital of Finland. The museum building is located directly opposite the central railway station. The exposition is presented by works of both Finnish and foreign masters.
The museum opened its doors to everyone at the end of the 19th century. The building was designed by renowned architect Theodor Höyer. With its appearance, the structure resembles a luxurious palace in Italy. And the museum got its name in honor of the Greek goddess Athena, who patronized cities, sciences and crafts.
14. Seurasaari
The country, located on the peninsula, is simply obliged to have a bewitching nature! And Finland is no exception to this rule. beautiful island Seurasaari is located in the west of the capital and is connected to it footbridge. This is one of the most popular places in Helsinki among tourists and travelers who are invited to visit the open-air museum and admire the local beauty surrounded by squirrels. Yes Yes! There are an incredible number of these animals here, and rest in their company becomes very exciting.
15. Helsinki's Old Covered Market
An atypical representative of the “bazaar business” in Helsinki is the old market. He settled down in beautiful building which was built in the 19th century. The design of the building is quite unusual - it was built without the use of glass and concrete. But you can buy almost everything inside: be it food or even a national outfit, in addition to which you will also be helped to pick up something from antiques. Enough interesting place for a visit to Helsinki, where city everyday life is in full swing.
16. Serena Water Park
Truly, one of the best attractions in Helsinki was the Serena Water Park. It is the largest tropical water park in the entire Scandinavian territory. It is located in the suburbs of Helsinki, which is just a few minutes drive from the city. The water park is divided into two halves: an open one, which works only in summer, and a closed one, which receives visitors all year round. In "Serena" you can take a steam bath in the sauna, swim in the pool, and also frolic on entertainment attractions.
17. Kaivopuisto Park
The charming Kaivopuisto park is located in the central part of Helsinki on the picturesque coast of the Gulf of Finland. The park is the oldest in the city, as it was founded in 1830 as resort area recreation for aristocrats. The Kaivonuone restaurant, which has been preserved since those times, is very popular among visitors.
The highlight of the park is the Ursa Observatory. On summer days, you can watch the sun through special filters, and in winter you can admire the stars through a telescope.
18. Museum of Natural History
The Natural History Museum is a research institution at the University of Helsinki. The Natural History Museum consists of three main thematic sections, and its impressive collection includes about 9 million specimens of organisms, which were collected not only on Finnish soil, but also in other countries.
The museum was founded in 1870. The building in which the exhibits are now located was previously a lyceum, and then it was bought out and nationalized. The exposition of the Museum of Natural History was designed in the form of four sections: "Bones Tell", "Life Stories", "Nature of Finland" and "The World of Nature". Visiting this place in Helsinki will be very interesting and informative.
19. Sibelius Park
In the Taka-Töölö area is one of the most unusual and most visited attractions in Helsinki - Sibelius Park. The park was named after the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, the author of the country's unofficial anthem. The design of the monument is simply amazing. The monument consists of welded pipes, resembling an organ, and a bronze head of the composer located separately. The author of this unique project is Eila Hiltunen, and the monument itself was opened in 1967. The extravagant and impressive monument skillfully conveys all the beauty, strength and power of the music of the great Sibelius.
20. Assumption Cathedral
Located in Helsinki, the Assumption Cathedral is the largest Orthodox shrine in the northwestern part of Helsinki. European continent. The architecture of the beautiful temple is made in the style of the late Middle Ages. The interior decoration of the attraction is striking in its uniqueness: for example, the pillars are made of solid granite blocks. And the walls and ceiling of the temple are decorated with thematic paintings. There are no seats or benches, so services are held standing up. In general, it will be interesting for fans of sights of this kind to see the Assumption Cathedral in Helsinki.
0Even the capital of Finland, rich in sights, can sooner or later get bored with experienced travelers. In this case, for new impressions, you should go to the suburbs of Helsinki. contemporary art and wild nature in Espoo, medieval architecture in Porvoo, the most romantic park in Finland in Hämeenlinna and the landscapes of Lake Tuusula, famous by Finnish artists - we present four routes around the Finnish capital.
Routes around Helsinki
1. Espoo: explore modern art and spend the night in a national park
The city of Espoo, west of Helsinki, is famous for its high standard of living. It is here that the offices of the largest Finnish corporations are located. However, it is worth going to Espoo not only on a business visit, but also for cultural values, for example, to the Emma Museum of Contemporary Art. It features more than two thousand works by artists from Finland and other countries. Although the museum was founded about 10 years ago, the collection began to form as early as the 1950s, and the artworks themselves date back to the 20th and 21st centuries.
Nevertheless, the Finns themselves consider Espoo the main tourist attraction national park Nuuksio. It is located a little north of the city - away from the center. However, a bus runs regularly to the park (route 85 A). The southern part of Finland and especially the capital region is dotted with numerous cities, highways, railway lines and other benefits of civilization. Nuuksio Park is one of the few oases of untouched nature in this part of the country. More than 30 kilometers of hiking trails run through its territory, special places for lodging for the night are equipped and areas for rock climbing are provided. It is not surprising that the residents of Helsinki and nearby cities themselves enjoy visiting Nuuksio Park.
Espoo has several large department stores, malls and outlets located nearby. The most famous shopping center is Espoontori, located in the city center. In a multi-storey complex, you can find almost any range of goods: electronics, food, clothes and perfumes and much more. Espoo is also home to one of the two metropolitan area Ikea stores. There is also a Stockmann here.
How to get there:
- By car: From Helsinki to Espoo, you can take highway number 1. Travel time is about half an hour.
- By train: Trains to Espoo depart from Helsinki Main Station every 20 to 30 minutes. Travel time is about 25 minutes.
- By bus: Kamppi has city buses to Espoo. Travel time 35 minutes.
2. Tuusula: watch the sunsets over the lake and listen to the blues
A small place north of Helsinki is known throughout the country. This is one of the cultural centers of Finland, where composer Jan Sibelius, artists Pekka Halonen and Eero Järnefelt and many others lived and worked in the 19th century. They have chosen one of the most picturesque corners Southern Finland - around Lake Tuusula, on the banks of which there are both small villages and detached houses. Tourists are attracted by the untouched nature, the purity of the lake, as well as the numerous cultural events that take place in Tuusula every summer. For example, the blues festival at the end of June, as well as the Night of the Arts in August.
How to get there:
- By car: from Helsinki on road 45. Travel time is about half an hour.
- By Bus: There are buses from Helsinki to Tuusula several times a day. Travel time is 40 minutes.
3. Porvoo: walk along the route of Alexander I and drink coffee in an old barn on the river bank
50 kilometers east of Helsinki is one of the oldest cities in Finland -. The historical center located here is one of the largest in the country - more than 250 houses of various eras. A walk along the old cobbled streets will take you to Finland of the late Middle Ages and Swedish rule. Of great interest is the Cathedral of the XV century, which was destroyed many times, restored and rebuilt. All significant events in the life of the temple and the city are reflected on the outer wall of the bell tower. The lower part is made of medieval masonry, which with every meter takes you to a later era - up to the 18th century. Inside the cathedral there is a functioning organ that plays twice a week - on Wednesdays and Thursdays at noon.
The history of Finland is inextricably linked with Porvoo. It was here that Alexander I proclaimed the accession of the country to the Russian Empire. During his visit, the Russian Tsar stayed in one of the oldest buildings in the city, Porvoo Castle, which is also worth seeing.
Porvoo stands on the banks of the mouth of the Porvoonjoki River. Even under the Swedes, wooden barns were built at the very edge of the water. Today they are considered one of the symbols of the city. The barn houses cafes, restaurants, as well as museum expositions.
To the north of the historical center of the city there are fortress hills - part picturesque park Maarin. These fortifications served the ancient inhabitants of these lands as early as the Iron Age. Now the paths and footbridges have become a favorite place for walking, surrounded by centuries-old trees. In addition, it is worth visiting the Town Hall and the museum located in it, the house of the merchant Holm, the bishop's house, and also look at the local market.
How to get there:
- By car: from Helsinki along highway No. 7, from St. Petersburg along the same highway through the Torfyanovka checkpoint.
- By bus: departing from Helsinki several times a day (sometimes every half an hour). Travel time - from 1 hour.
4. Hämeenlinna: see the medieval castle and take a musical tour of the Sibelius Museum
An hour's drive from Helsinki is the 50,000th city of Hämeenlinna. It has a long and rich history, and therefore is full of a wide variety of attractions. The most famous is the fortress of Häme. It is the date of its foundation that is considered the birthday of the city. Since the end of the 13th century, this fortification has guarded the eastern borders of Sweden. It was rebuilt many times to keep the fortress in line with the latest fortification trends of different eras. Häme lost its military importance only in the first half of the 19th century, when it was converted into a prison. Today there is a museum on its territory.
The first years of the life of the most famous Finnish composer, Jan Sibelius, are connected with Hämeenlinna. It was here that he was born, and in the house where he grew up, a museum is now open. During excursions, live music is usually played: the pianist performs the best compositions of Sibelius.
Aulanko Park was opened in Hämeenlinna over 100 years ago. The green zone is located between two picturesque lakes - Vanajavesi and Aulangojärvi. As early as the 19th century, many pavilions, pavilions, fountains and even a real castle, created based on fortifications medieval Europe.
How to get there:
- By car: from Helsinki, take route 3. Travel time is about 1 hour.
- By train: A train to Hämeenlinna leaves from Helsinki Central Station several times a day. Travel time - from 1 hour.
The capital of neighboring Finland, the city of Helsinki, is a great destination for a holiday or weekend getaway. The road will not take much time, and there are so many sights that every traveler will find something interesting for himself in this city. The trip will also be exciting for children, as Helsinki also has enough entertainment for them. So, below is a list of the main attractions of the capital of Finland on the map and a list with a description.
Map of attractions in Helsinki
If you prefer to use printed maps, I suggest download map of Helsinki with attractions(download pdf)
And for those who are used to interactive maps, I propose to "walk" around the city with the help of such a map.
View Sights of Helsinki on a larger map
List of attractions in Helsinki
Senate square- this central square Helsinki, rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century in the neoclassical style. The state, municipal, church and academic life of the city was concentrated here. The main buildings that make up the ensemble of this square were designed by the architect of German origin Karl Ludwig Engel.
Cathedral- the main Lutheran church of the Helsinki diocese, located on the Senate Square. It was solemnly opened on February 15, 1852 and was originally called Nicholas Cathedral, in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of trade and navigation, who was the patron saint of Tsar Nicholas I. After Finland gained independence, it became known as the Great Church, and in 1959 received its the current name is the Cathedral. (Unioninkatu st., 29)
Monument to Emperor Alexander II– erected in 1894 on Senate Square, a monument to the Russian emperor, who significantly expanded Finnish autonomy, presented Finland with the constitution of 1863 and put the Finnish mark into circulation.
City Hall and surrounding areas– the streets located south of the Senate Square were built in the 1700s, and then updated by K.G. Engel during the construction of a new city. The Bocca House with a colonnade, rebuilt in 1818, was the city hall at that time. Over time, the building lost its significance and now the Virka Galleria is located here and Finnish design products are traded. Until the 1900s, these quarters were the center of trade, and now they house various commercial premises and restaurants.
Market Square or Market Square – main square Helsinki, where you can buy various souvenirs and market delicacies. In the local language, it is called Kauppatori. (South Port)
Havis Amanda- a bronze fountain with a naked nymph, installed in 1908 on Trade area cities. (Crossing Unionin-katu, North Esplanade and South Esplanade)
Esplanade Park (Esplanadi) – oldest park Helsinki, favorite place recreation for citizens and tourists. The Espa theater operates here in the summer. Along the linden alley of the park, you can find several monuments to Finnish writers and poets.
Assumption Cathedral- the main Orthodox church in Helsinki, made of red brick. Located on a hill near the waterfront. The architect of the church was A.M. Gornostaev, the project was completed in 1868. The Assumption Cathedral is still the largest and most significant Orthodox church in Northwestern Europe. (St. Kanawakatu, 1)
Presidential palace- a building renovated by K.G. Engel, was intended to accommodate the Russian imperial family. During the years of independence, it was used as the residence of the President of the Republic. Now, significant receptions are sometimes held in the palace, and at other times it is open to tourists. (St. Pohjoisespanadi, 1)
Fortress Suomenlinna- built by the Swedes in 1748 on the islands near Helsinki (regular ferries run to the fortress), the fortress served for many years as a defense against enemies. Site in Russian.
Central railway station– opened in 1919, the station is one of the brightest works of Finnish architecture.
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma- this museum contains paintings, spatial works and other exhibits of contemporary art from various countries since the 60s of the XX century. (pl. Mannerheiminaukio, 2)
National Museum of Finland– opened in 1916. The museum contains an interesting exposition dedicated to the history of Finland. In the halls of the museum, the exhibits are placed in chronological order, so that one can trace the development of Finland since ancient times. The museum building resembles a stone castle with a high tower. (pr. Mannerheimintie, 34)
Natural Science Museum– The University of Helsinki houses its zoological collections in a classic four-storey mansion. Here you can see dinosaur bones, landscape models, stuffed animals and representatives of the deep sea of the Baltic Sea. The building is easily recognizable by the figure of an elk standing near the main entrance. (Pohjoinen Rautatiukatu St. 13)
Church in the rock Temppeliaukio- one of the most famous sights of Helsinki. Two architect brothers created the project of the church in the 60s of the XX century, having decided to choose pieces of rock as a building material, which were very often found on the streets of the city. To implement the idea, they had to blow up the rock, and then cover the remains with a dome. Good acoustics, which turned out in Temppeliaukio, allows you to hold music concerts within its walls. (Luterinkatu street, 3)
Parliament building- a massive building, the facade of which is finished with red granite, is one of the most famous in Finland and was built in 1925-1931 of the XX century in the style of classicism. It contains meeting rooms for 200 members of parliament and an impressive library. Guided tours are organized inside. In front of the entrance there is a monument to the first president of the republic K.Yu. Stolberg. (Prospect Mannerheimintie, 30)
Botanical Garden of the University of Helsinki was opened in 1829. Several hundred different plants have been collected in the wonderful garden, some of which are grown in greenhouses. (Unioninkatu street, 44)
Monument to Sibelius- located in the park of the same name. It was opened in 1967 and dedicated to the famous Finnish composer Jan Sibelius. Represents several hundred connected metal pipes. Nearby is the bronze head of the composer. (St. Mishelininkatu, 38)
ATENEUM Art Museum- National Gallery of Finland. Many works of Finnish art from 1750-1960 are collected here. (st. Kayvoka-tu, 2)
Finnish National Theater- erected in 1902 on Railway station square in the national romantic style. Accommodates about a thousand spectators.
Museum Island Seurasaari- a unique place in the western part of Helsinki, very popular with the townspeople. There is an open-air museum here, which contains restored old buildings from all over Finland. You can get acquainted with the life of Finnish peasants and find out what things were used locals over a hundred years ago.
Zoo Korkeasaari- one of the oldest in Northern Europe. Located on the island of Korkeasaari, which can be reached either by bus number 11 from the railway station, or by ferry from the Market Square (from May to September-September). Website?
SEA LIFE Aquarium- a huge marine center, consisting of several aquariums and an oceanarium with a capacity of 250 cubic meters. Located in Linnanmäki Amusement Park. Here you can see a variety of representatives of marine fauna from tropical seas to the Baltic waters. Visitors pass in a glass tunnel under sharks and other representatives of the ocean depths passing by. Website
Linnanmäki amusement park- the oldest amusement park in Helsinki, which contains more than forty different attractions for children and adults. It also has a cinema, museums, a Ferris wheel and playgrounds. Website
Serena Water Park- located in the suburbs of Helsinki. The water park is quite large, built in a tropical style. Guests are provided with a standard set of high-quality water park entertainment: scary and not very slides, an artificial wave pool, various pools, saunas and cafes. Website
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Although many people say that there is absolutely nothing to do in Helsinki, I recommend not to believe such unfortunate travelers. The city is wonderful and perfect for a short trip to Europe. I hope that the Helsinki sightseeing map will help you spend your time usefully and very interestingly ( review of my trip to Helsinki).
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The memory of the most popular Finnish composer of his era, Jan Sibelius, is greatly honored by the inhabitants of the country. After all, he wrote not only many pieces of music, but also the unofficial anthem of the country. By the way, it was banned during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II. Therefore, the authorities approached the creation of the monument with all responsibility. The famous Finnish sculptor Eila Hiltunen worked on it for ten years.
By the way, from the very beginning, it evoked far from the most unambiguous emotions among the residents of the city and tourists. But over time, the townspeople understood the master's idea, understood her vision of the composer's image.
The monument is a composition of 580 pipes. The wind hums through them, reminding that the image of nature played a huge role in Sibelius's music. And nearby is a sculptural portrait of a musician.
Helsinki Zoo
The zoo in Helsinki occupies an entire island in the eastern part of the Finnish capital. Here you can see animals and birds from different parts of the world. The zoo is combined with botanical garden, on the territory of which about 1,000 species of flowers, trees and shrubs are grown.
The zoo is home to about 200 species of animals that live here in their natural environment. There are pavilions of Africa and Amazonia with tropical monkeys and parrots. A huge territory of the zoo is given to ungulates. The zoo also shows films and gives lectures about animals. In the park, on special machines, you can press a button and find out how, for example, a skunk and other animals smell.
Get to the island of Korkeasaari (" high island"), which gave the name to the zoo, you can take the route 170, then turn onto the island of Kulosaari, and from there the signs Korkeasaari or Zoo will lead to the zoo's free parking.
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Metro Helsinki
The subway in Helsinki has one feature that distinguishes it from all other subways in the world - it is the northernmost in the world. In addition, the metro in Helsinki is the only one in Finland.
Its construction began in 1969, and the first train went in 1982.
The subway consists of one line, which is divided into two directions. The total length of the Helsinki Metro is 22.1 kilometers. And although this is a fairly short length, the subway does its job perfectly - you can cross the entire capital of Finland in just 20 minutes. The metro has 17 stations, mainly connecting the eastern districts of Helsinki.
It is noteworthy that there are no turnstiles here, just as there is no separate ticket for traveling on the metro - in Helsinki there is one ticket for all types of transport.
For tourists, there is the Helsinki Card, it is valid from 24 to 72 hours and guarantees free travel to public transport capital Cities.
By the way, some metro stations (Vuosaari, Rautatientori, Kamppi, Itä keskus) have exits directly at shopping centers which is quite convenient.
The university was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as the Royal Academy in Turku. In 1828 he was transferred to Helsinki - closer to the administrative authorities. In 1944, some university buildings were destroyed by Soviet bombing.
The campus consists of four parts, each of which has its own research direction. The central campus (Keskustakampus) houses the faculties of the humanities and social sciences, theology and law, as well as the branch of the open university. Medical students study at Meilahti. Mathematicians, geographers, geologists and meteorologists are located on the Kumpulan campus. Agricultural students as well as pharmacists and veterinarians study at Viikki. In addition, the university has a number of regional seismological stations. And in January 2012, a new Center for Russian Studies began its work at the university.
According to the Times, the university has lowered its position and since 2012 it is no longer among the hundred most prestigious universities in the world, and takes 30th place in a hundred European universities.
Helsinki Central Station
The building of the railway station in Helsinki is the most famous piece of Finnish architecture in the world. It was built in the Northern Art Nouveau style by the architect Eliel Saarinen.
The first railway station in Helsingfors (Helsinki) was built in 1861. With development railways, the growth of industry and trade, the passenger traffic increased significantly, with which the old building could no longer cope. In this connection, in December 1903, a competition was announced for the design of a new station building and administrative building. Eliel Saarinen's project received the first prize.
Construction began in 1905. The administrative building was completed in 1909, the station - in 1914. Slightly renovated, it was opened as a railway station in 1919. Construction cost 7 million Finnish marks.
Contemporaries accepted the station with a bang, and not only in Finland, but also in other countries. Modern structures were used in the building, in particular, reinforced concrete vaults of the entrance vestibule. The layout of the building is simple and convenient - it is impossible to get lost there. This generally dryish architecture is enlivened by figures on the sides of the main entrance, with lanterns in their hands (sculptor Emil Wikström). The building is decorated with a clock tower 48.5 meters high. One of the walls of the restaurant hall is decorated with a painting by the artist E. Jarnefelt depicting Lake Pielisjärvi.
Assumption Cathedral
Uspensky Cathedral located in the historic center of Helsinki, Finland. The height of the temple is 51 meters. It is the largest Orthodox cathedral in Northern and Western Europe. It was designed by Russian architect Alexei Gornostaev in the pseudo-Byzantine style - the building is made of red brick, topped with spiers and gilded domes with crosses. Such a very original view for Finland has its own explanation - during the construction of the temple, Finland was part of the Russian Empire. Named in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Assumption Cathedral was built from 1862 to 1868. During this time, Gornostaev managed to die, so the architect Varnek completed the construction of the temple, who, however, did not make practically any changes to the project. The consecration of the temple took place on October 25, 1868. Remarkably, all funds for the construction of the cathedral were collected with the help of voluntary donations only.
In 2006, the domes of the cathedral were reconstructed and re-gilded.
Almost half a million tourists visit the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin every year.
National Museum of Finland
The National Museum of Finland is located in Helsinki.
Three Finnish architects - Gesellius, Saarinen and Lindgren - worked on the creation of the project for this building. The museum was built at the beginning of the last century. Construction began in 1905 and completed in 1910. In 1916, the first visitors came to the museum. The museum building has become a vivid example of national romanticism in architecture.
Museum visitors get acquainted here with the history of Finland from the Stone Age to the present day. The museum presents collections of coins, medals and orders, jewelry, weapons and much more. Most of the exhibits were found in Finland during archaeological excavations.
You can visit the museum free of charge every Thursday from 17:30.
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Natural History Museum Helsinki
The Museum of Natural History at the University of Helsinki is located in the center of the capital, not far from the Kamppi metro station. It occupies a four-story mansion built in a classical style. The building can be easily recognized by the sculpture of an elk, which is installed to the right of the entrance.
The museum building houses 4 permanent exhibitions, the items of which can even be touched. The halls contain zoological collections, all types of landscape, various skeletons of ancient creatures, as well as objects that tell about evolutionary theory.
Initially, the museum building was intended for a Russian school for boys, and during civil war here was the headquarters of the army. In 1923, the University of Helsinki bought the building and housed its zoological collections.
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