This article will present one of the interesting historical places of the capital of Finland with its magnificent architectural structures (Helsinki, the cathedral and much more). But first, let’s get to know the city itself and its main historical attractions.

General information about the capital of Finland

Helsinki is the largest Finnish city and the administrative center of Uusimaa (province). It is located in the south of the country, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). In total, 630.225 thousand people live in it, 10% of which are foreign citizens. The city contains many cultural and historical attractions, including Senate Square. Helsinki is also one of the most unique cities in terms of its geographical location.

Location

The main part of Helsinki is located on a granite peninsula located on the northern coast of the bay. In addition, there are numerous rocky islands and islets with small bays and passages around it, representing magnificent, unique natural landscapes.

Helsinki is of great interest to numerous foreign tourists and travelers. This city is great for both walking and cycling.

About the architecture of the city

Almost the entire square is surrounded by historical buildings built between 1818 and 1852, designed by the German architect Karl L. Engel. In total, more than 30 buildings were built according to his designs, and this number is only those architectural structures that were erected by him after Helsinki became the capital of the Duchy of Finland as part of the Russian Empire. In the 19th century, this city was even called the White Capital of the North due to its similarity with the style of buildings in St. Petersburg.

About some sights of the capital

Senate Square Helsinki is located in the central part of the city, in the Kruununhaka area and is undoubtedly the main attraction of the city. But besides this, there are many more wonderful historical places that attract a huge number of tourists and travelers from abroad. It is impossible to list and describe them, but some of them should be noted.

In the Katajanokka area (Cape Juniper), most of the structures and buildings were built in the 19th and 20th centuries. This once-former cape is dominated by the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe. This is the amazingly beautiful Assumption Cathedral.

In the Canavarante area (the canal embankment) there is a guest pier for yachts and boats, warehouses built in the 1800s. There are numerous shopping establishments and restaurants there.

There is also a museum street, Sofiankatu, in Helsinki, which is the only museum in the city that is open day and night. The entire amazing history of street construction and street equipment is presented here. The oldest building (Söderholm House), located in the historical part of the capital, is one of the branches of the city museum.

Senate Square (Helsinki): cathedral, photo, description

The square has its own unique history. In the 17th century, on the site of its current location there was a town hall, a market, a cemetery and a church. In 1812, Russian Emperor Alexander II proclaimed this city the capital of the Grand Duchy and gave the order to build a new urban center.

The entire territory is a unique complex, made in the neoclassical style. The main ones in it are 4 buildings, which were designed in 1822-1852 by K. L. Engel. These include the magnificent cathedral, the national library, the State Council building and the main building of the university.

Helsinki Senate Square (see photo above) has an amazing work of art on its territory - a magnificent cathedral built on a high hill. Its construction began in 1830. In 1840, after the death of the designer Engel, construction was continued by his successor Ernst Lohrmann. As a result, the cathedral was opened in 1852.

Initially, it was called Nikolaevsky, as it was dedicated to St. Nicholas (patron of sailors), which was also an expression of a kind of respect for Nicholas II, by whose order the cathedral was decorated with sculptures of the 12 apostles located on its roof (the work of German sculptors). They were cast in 1845-1847 and were installed on the cathedral in 1849. The statues are an impressive collection of zinc sculptures of international significance.

In the interior of the cathedral there are statues of famous historical figures: Martin Luther, Michael Agricola and Philip Melanchthon. In 1959, the building received the status of a cathedral, after which it became the main one not only in the city, but also in the country. Both ordinary and ceremonial services are always held here, in addition, the cathedral is always open to the public. Helsinki's Senate Square is quite popular among many tourists. Its address: Unioninkatu street, house 29.

Other attractions of the square

Senate Square houses a surprisingly large number of historically interesting architectural structures. Helsinki was once home to Swedish merchants. Their beautiful mansions (built in the 18th century) were built on the southern part of this historical zone. Among them, the oldest stone house in the capital, Cederholma (1757), stands out, which today houses a museum in its premises.

To the right of the cathedral is the State Council building, part of which was completed in 1822. It is intended for the Imperial Senate and for the current government. Above the central entrance there is a beautiful room in the Empire style - the Presidential Hall (formerly the Throne Hall). There is no public access for citizens to this building.

In addition to all of the above, Senate Square in Helsinki also housed the central building of the university (1832 - the year of construction). The main building of the university is presented in its original form (the same classrooms and main hall).

A bronze monument to the famous Russian Emperor Alexander II (author - Walter Runeberg, built in 1894) was also installed on the square in connection with the special attitude of the Finnish people towards him. As noted above, the Russian emperor granted autonomy to the Finns. The statue is surrounded by a sculptural group: “Peace”, “Law”, “Light” and “Labor”.

Helsinki's Senate Square contains a lot of rather interesting historical information.

Monument to Alexander the Second

This sculptural work is one of the few surviving pre-revolutionary monuments to the Russian Emperor - the great Tsar-Liberator.

It is the best achievement of Finnish sculptural art of the 19th century. The great sovereign is depicted here in the same appearance that he had at the time of his speech, which spoke of granting Finland those very rights of autonomy (1863). The Finnish people, as a sign of gratitude to their liberator, raised money on their own to erect a monument to the emperor.

The height is 3.23 meters, and it stands on a pedestal made of red granite. As a result, its total height is 10.67 meters.

The date of gaining autonomy is carved on the pedestal of the monument.

About the location of the square

Senate Square (Helsinki) houses a surprising number of interesting architectural structures on its territory. How to get there to see all this splendor?

This square represents the center of Helsinki. From the main train station it is located approximately 2 blocks in an easterly direction. You can also get there by tram, the stops of which are also nearby.

The square from the central port is approximately 2.3 kilometers. If you go on foot, it is advisable to follow Bulivardi Street. By metro you need to go from Ruoholahden station to Kaisaniemen. From Russia (St. Petersburg) a minibus runs every day, which can take anyone directly to Senate Square.

Conclusion

Senate Square as a whole, like almost all its architectural structures, is one of the most famous and remarkable symbols of the capital of Finland. The main square of Helsinki is the religious, political and social center of the country.

In the summer, Senate Square is filled with people due to the various concerts and festivals held there. But especially magnificent celebrations are held on the city’s birthday (June 12) and during the Helsinki Festival, which takes place here every year. All of them are amazingly colorful, spectacular and mesmerizing performances that are worth seeing.

Three central squares of the Finnish capital: Senate, Trade and Station. They have always been of interest to tourists, since many architectural monuments and attractions are concentrated on them. We will pay a little attention to each of them and get to know them better.

Senate square

Senate square

The main features of the panoramic view that opens from the steps of the Cathedral took shape in the first half of the 19th century. In 1812, Helsinki was proclaimed the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland. And the new capital had to live up to such a high status. To design the central square of the city, the German architect Karl Ludwig Engel was invited, who in the 20-30s. In the 19th century, he designed a number of official buildings that make up the main ensemble of Senate Square.

To find out where everything is, let’s take the Cathedral as a starting point. This monumental building took 22 years to construct. Initially, the cathedral was called St. Nicholas and was dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. It was also a way to express respect to the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, who presented a painting by Timofey Andreevich von Neff to decorate the altar of the temple. Later the cathedral was renamed the Helsinki Cathedral.

Address of the Cathedral: st. Unioninkatu, 29.

Architecture

At first, Engel was the architect, but he died in 1940, and the building was completed by another architect, Ernst Lohrmann. Construction was completed in 1852. The roof of the cathedral is decorated with figures of the 12 apostles, and inside there are statues of Martin Luther (the founder of the Reformation), Philip Melanchthon (a humanist and theoretician of Lutheranism) and Michael Agricola (the bishop who translated the Bible into Finnish).

Events

Various festive events take place on the square in front of the cathedral, the most spectacular of which is the celebration of Lucia's Day. Every year on December 13, Lucia, the Queen of Light, is chosen from among 10 candidates, crowned with a crown of burning candles, and the festive procession begins.

The cathedral is open daily from 9.00 to 18.00 (from June to August from 9.00 to 24.00). The entrance is free. From time to time, the cathedral hosts official events, during which entry is closed to tourists.

Directly in front of the cathedral there is a monument to the most respected Russian emperor among the Finns - Alexander II, under whom Finland introduced its own currency - the mark, and the Finnish language received the status of a state language along with Swedish. Walter Runeberg, the author of this project, depicted the emperor in the uniform of a guards officer. He makes a speech, and around him are four allegorical figures: “Law”, “Peace”, “Light” and “Work”.

What kind of buildings surround Senate Square?

If you stand on the granite staircase of the cathedral facing the square, then to your left will be the State Council building - another Engel project. Previously, the Senate was located here (hence the name of the square), and now it is the seat of the Finnish government. The Prime Minister's office is located on the second floor. Visitors are not allowed here.

To the right of the cathedral you will see the main building of the University, designed by Engel in 1832. Like the State Council building, it is made in the neoclassical style and repeats the same proportions and composition. Next to the university building, on Unioninkanu Street, is the University Library. This building is rightfully considered one of Engel's most beautiful works.

Well, at the farthest end of the square (as seen from the steps of the cathedral) are the houses of wealthy merchants of the 18th century. Now it houses various city institutions, and on the lower floors there are shops, restaurants and cafes. The oldest building of them is the Sederholm House (this is a two-story small mansion on the corner of the square), there is a museum of merchant life and temporary exhibitions are held there.

In 2005, Senate Square gained its own “voice”. Every day at 17.49 a 5-minute musical composition is broadcast, which is best heard near the monument to Alexander II.

Station Square (Rautatientori)

This is where the acquaintance with Helsinki begins for all those who arrived in the Finnish capital by train. The station building itself certainly deserves attention; it is one of the main symbols of the city. The station began operating in 1919. Its architecture is unique: a structure decorated with pink granite, on one side it is crowned by a massive tower, and on either side of the main entrance there are huge figures with lanterns in their hands. In the station building you can find a pharmacy, shops, a tourist information point (where there are all kinds of maps and tourist brochures), several cafes.

Let's hit the road

To the right of the railway station there is a bus stop, from where most regular buses depart, including those going to the airport, as well as a taxi stand.

For shopping lovers

Opposite the station you will see the most controversial building in the center of Helsinki – Makkaratalo, which means “sausage house”. The building received this name because of the ledge surrounding it (there is a parking lot there). Shops were located on the lower floors, and offices were located on the upper floors.

By the way, about shops. Station Square can well be considered as a starting point for shopping in the capital's department stores. Directly through the underground passage from the station you can get to Sokos, Kamppi and Forum. There are also various shops in the underground passage itself.

Culture

On Station Square stands a beautiful castle-like building made of gray granite, topped with a red roof. This is (Kansallisteatteri). In its repertoire you can almost always find plays by the Finnish playwright Alexis Kivi (his monument is located near the theater). Directly opposite, on the opposite side of the square, is the Athenaeum art museum. And behind the National Theater is the large Kaisaniemi Park (it includes the university botanical garden, in whose greenhouses many tropical plants grow).

Trade area (Kauppatori)

This is perhaps the busiest place in Helsinki. In summer, here you can buy berries, fruits and vegetables grown by caring farms, try local delicacies, and also find the largest selection of souvenirs and handicrafts in the capital. In October, the Silakkamarkkinat Herring Fair is held annually here, where you can taste a wide variety of fish dishes. And in winter there is a Christmas market. At any time of the year, tent cafes are open where you can have a cup of coffee and a snack.

Opening hours:

Mon.-Fri. 6.30 – 18.00

Sat. 6.30 – 16.00

Sun. (only in summer) 10.00 – 17.00

Attractions around

Nearby attractions are also worth noting.

In front of the square is the fountain "Havis Amanda" (Sea Nymph). This sculpture was made by Ville Wallgren and installed here in 1908.

Not far from the square is the Palace of the President of the Republic. For some time it housed the Finnish residence of the Russian emperors, and since 1919 this building became the palace of the presidents of independent Finland.

Adjacent to the shopping area is the Esplanade Park (Esplanadin puisto), where it is so pleasant to stroll in the summer in the shade of large trees. At the beginning of the park there is the famous Kappeli restaurant, and opposite it is the Espa summer theater, whose outdoor stage often serves as a concert venue in warm weather.

Very close to the square (Kanavakatu Street, 1) is the Assumption Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in Western Europe. It was built in the pseudo-Byzantine style by the Russian architect A. M. Gornostaev in 1868.

Senate Square in Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

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The square in the form in which it appears to us now was formed at the beginning of the 19th century. The late classical style of the architectural buildings in this corner of Helsinki gives it a striking resemblance to St. Petersburg. It is no coincidence, since the main buildings surrounding the square were designed and built after the annexation of Finland to the Russian Empire, when a strict and majestic Empire style reigned in its capital. Almost all the buildings of that time were created by order of the government by the architect of German origin, Karl Ludwig Engel.

Historical excursion

After Finland was granted autonomy in 1812, it was decided to move its capital to Helsinki and rebuild it in a new style to enhance the status of the former provincial town. In the main square, the old buildings with the Church of St. Eleanor were demolished, and the solemn Cathedral of St. Nicholas was erected on a hilly eminence.

Construction dragged on for almost 22 years, and the architect Engel never lived to see its completion.

On both sides of the Cathedral, the square was built up in the mid-19th century with the buildings of the Senate and the University, then the National Library appeared.

In 1894, a monument to Alexander II was erected in the center of the square, thanks to whose reforms Finland received autonomy and Finnish was declared the state language. After 1917, when the country gained final independence, the cathedral was renamed, and in 1959 it became a cathedral.

What to see

The main decoration of the square, the Cathedral with snow-white columns, is crowned with a greenish dome, and in the corners there are 4 turrets, also ending with domes. On the pediments of the porticoes, facing 4 sides, there are zinc figures of the 12 apostles.

From the side of the square, a wide multi-step staircase leads to the church, but the main entrance is on the left, so the crosses on the domes are turned not to the south, towards the viewer, but to the western side.

In good weather, local residents and numerous tourists like to gather and make appointments on the stairs. From here there is a good view, and on days when concerts or performances are organized on the square, the staircase serves as a kind of amphitheater for spectators.

The center of the square is occupied by a bronze statue of Alexander II, dressed in a military uniform. It is installed on a granite pedestal surrounded by allegorical figures of Peace, Labor, Light and Law. Since 2005, every day, at exactly 17:49, you can hear the square “singing”: a composition mixed from the ringing of bells, the sound of the organ of the Cathedral, and the chimes begins to sound. It is best heard at the foot of the monument.

Every day, at exactly 17:49, you can hear the square “singing”.

In the southern part of the square, houses of wealthy merchants of the 18th century have been preserved. In one of them, the Cederholm House, there is a Museum of Merchant Life, and exhibitions are also periodically held.

Anyone lucky enough to be in the square on December 13th will be able to watch the beautiful coronation ceremony of the Queen of Light, Lucia, who is chosen from 10 contenders. The Queen in a white robe, crowned with a crown of burning candles, begins a solemn procession, leaving the cathedral. This celebration dates back to the pagan traditions of the Normans.

Practical information

Address: Helsinki, Unioninkatu 29.

You can get there by metro to Kaisaniemi station or by trams No. 1, 1A, 3B, 7A, 7B.

Senate Square has long been in full swing with life, because since the 17th century there has been a market, a town hall and a city church located here. However, it received its majestic appearance much later - in the 19th century, when it became part of the Russian Empire, and the city was declared the capital.

Having conceived a global reconstruction, Emperor Alexander II commissioned the engineer Johan Ehrenström and the architect Carl Engel to design a number of public buildings that would give a worthy appearance to the new capital. So in the 1820s the construction of the “Senate” architectural ensemble began. Since Carl Engel died in the 1840s, his work was continued by Ernst Lohrmann, and in particular he completed the construction of the Cathedral.

How to get there

Senate Square is located in the Kruununhaka district, where most of the city's administrative buildings are located.

Address: 00170 Helsinki, Finland.

You can get here:

• Tram

  Routes No. 2, 4, 5, 7, 7Р to the Senaatintori stop;

• Tram

  Routes No. 3, 6, 6E, 9 to the Kaisaniemenkatu stop;

• Bus

  Route No. 17 to the Ritarihuone stop;

• Metro

  To Kaisaniemi station (University of Helsinki).

Senate Square on the map

Monuments

One of the important attractions of the square is the monument to Alexander II located in the center. The Russian emperor earned the respect of the Finns not only through the large-scale construction of palaces, but also because during his reign the Finnish brand appeared, and the Finnish language became the official - state language. Architect Walter Runeberg depicted the ruler at the moment of delivering a speech, and around him on small pedestals he installed four statues: Legality, Labor, Light and Peace.

There are several steps leading up to the monument, there is a bright flowerbed directly in front of it, and colorful lampposts along the perimeter. This place is very popular among tourists because it produces wonderful photos with the cathedral building in the background.

Architectural style

Senate Square is currently considered one of the best examples of neoclassicism in the world. Moreover, it is the most complete and well-preserved example of this style.

Its architectural ensemble consists of the Cathedral, the National Library, the University of Helsinki and the State Council. All four buildings form a harmonious composition - the real pride of the White Capital of the North, as Helsinki is often called. This ensemble is considered the best achievement of Carl Ludwig Engel, who simply miraculously managed to fit it into the complex, hilly landscape.

Attractions nearby

Cathedral- the central building of Senate Square, built in 1852. Initially, the temple was dedicated to St. Nicholas, which is why even now it is sometimes called Nikolaevsky. On its roof are statues of the 12 apostles, and the entrance is decorated with a majestic colonnade.

State Council- a beautiful palace to the left of the cathedral, built in 1822. Today it houses the Cabinet of Ministers of Finland, and previously housed the Senate.

University And National Library- two buildings to the right of the cathedral, complementing the Council in size and color scheme. They were completed in 1832 and underwent reconstruction after World War II.

Söderholm House- a small mansion in a row of old 18th-century houses located at the far end of the square. It is interesting as the oldest stone building in the Finnish capital.

A walk along Senate Square will not leave anyone indifferent. And if you take a map with you, it will be easy to continue the walk to other attractions of Helsinki - for example, to the House of the Estates and the House of the Nobility, located within walking distance. Also nearby are the City Museum, Esplanade Park and the beautiful Gulf of Finland embankment. You won't be bored in the historical center of the city!

Today we will talk about the capital of Finland - the city of Helsinki. And also about how to get to the city, what sights to see over the weekend and how to save money on your trip.

Helsinki was founded in 1550 by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa. Over the course of almost four hundred years of history, the city, like the whole of Finland, passed either to Russia or to Sweden, until finally, in 1917, Finland achieved independence.

The Finnish name Helsinki (Helsinki) and the Swedish Helsingfors (Helsingfors) are both official names of the city in these two languages.

Now just over 600 thousand people live in Helsinki, and it is also constantly in the top of the best, comfortable, safe, but at the same time the most expensive cities in the world. If you are planning to visit Helsinki for the first time, then this series of articles should definitely help you.

Sights of Helsinki

Briefly about what you can see in Helsinki in two days in our three-minute video. Read a more detailed story below.

Walking around Helsinki, a Russian tourist can discover the city both as an incredibly familiar place and as an absolute foreign place. The official languages ​​here are Finnish and Swedish; it is also not difficult to communicate with Finns in English. Russian speech is also found, but mainly from tourists (usually from St. Petersburg).

You can start traveling around Helsinki from anywhere! For convenience, I will divide our two-day budget trip into several articles: “Attractions of Helsinki”, “” and “”.

Länsiterminaali West Terminal

The historic center of Helsinki is located on a peninsula with a heavily indented coastline. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Gulf of Finland, so it is not surprising that Helsinki is the largest port in Finland. Helsinki is connected by sea trade and transport links with Estonia, Sweden, Germany, Poland and Russia.



People who prefer to travel by private car can transport their iron horse between countries by ferry.


The port area of ​​any coastal city will undoubtedly be on the list of attractions. There are trams and buses from the West Terminal, stop Bunkkeri.


Monumental and decorative work “Horizon”. The design of the metal work was presented by professor and designer Hannu Kähönen: “The length of this monument corresponds to the average depth of the Baltic Sea, which is only 54 meters. In this way I wanted to illustrate the vulnerability of the Baltic Sea. I hope that this work will shine and sparkle as a symbol of the clean Baltic Sea"


In Helsinki you can find many pleasant little things, for example, a shiny ball by the water and not a single cigarette butt around!


Or this strange pissing man (also in the western port), it seems to me that he came from another planet. In fact, this is a portable fountain; in winter, of course, it does not work, but in summer it is placed near the water.

Kalevankatu street

From the western terminal to the center of Helsinki it’s just a stone’s throw away. Of course, you can get there by public transport, or you can walk for 20 minutes, for example, along Kalevankatu Street.
As you move away from the port, the houses will take on a more and more picturesque appearance:

Hotel Torni (free observation deck)

Hotel Torni was built in 1931 and remained the tallest building in Finland for 40 years. "Torni" is translated from Finnish as "tower".

Hotel Torni is one of the main attractions of Helsinki, because from here you can admire the city from a bird's eye view for free.

Hotel address: Yrjönkatu, 26.




We enter the hotel, go straight to the elevator and go up to the 12th floor! If the elevator button doesn't work, it means the bar is still closed. Go to the reception and ask in English: “When can you go upstairs?” They understand perfectly where you are going and why, and answer with a smile and kindness. We were told that the bar would open from 14.00.

On the 12th floor you already have a panoramic view of the city, but through glazing. There are also soft chairs and you can use the toilet for free (also with panoramic windows). The bar is located above. To get there, we climb a narrow twisted staircase, go out onto the summer terrace and admire Helsinki!


Helsinki is a low-rise city, so the 12th floor is enough to see it all at a glance. In the photo below on the right in the distance you can see a tall white and blue building - this is the port where we came from.


And this is where we are going to go: to the white temple, another port and other attractions.

Kamppi Chapel

The Kamppi Chapel (chapel of silence, chapel of silence) is a very unusual representation of a chapel in our (Russian) view: this chapel does not even have a cross, and the shape is somehow strange.

Kamppi Chapel was built in 2012 and belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. This is such a quiet, warm and bright place where everyone can come and relax from the bustle of the city, and the chapel staff also provide psychological assistance to everyone in need.

Working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-20:00; on weekends 10:00-18:00.
Address: Simonkatu, 7




The chapel is the embodiment of nature. It is completely made of wood (walls, ceiling, benches), it seems that the rays of the sun are breaking through the roof (which is often missing in cloudy Helsinki), pillows in the form of stones, sand.

Station square Rautatientori

The station square is also a kind of landmark of every city. Perhaps this is where your journey will begin. In any case, there is also something to see here.

Helsinki Central Railway Station was built in 1904-1914. in the style of northern modernism. It is an architectural monument. The front side of the building is decorated with giant stone atlases as tall as the building itself.

There is a metro station under the railway station building. And literally across the road is the Helsinki bus station.


In winter, there is a skating rink on the station square itself.


The Finnish national theater Suomen Kansallisteatteri was built in 1902 (and was founded much earlier - in 1872 in the city of Pori, Finland). The theater building periodically hosts performances based on the works of Russian classics: Chekhov, Tolstoy, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Gorky, Uspensky.

In front of the theater building there is a monument to the Finnish writer Aleksis Kivi, the founder of realistic literature in the Finnish language.


Opposite there is an equally impressive building - the Ateneum Museum. This is the central art museum of Finland, named after the ancient Greek goddess Athena. The building was built in 1887. The museum's fund includes more than 20 thousand exhibits.


Since February 10, 2017, asylum seekers from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and their supporters have set up a tent city in front of the museum and said they will not leave until the authorities stop the deportation of refugees from Finland.

Mikonkatu street

Mikonkatu Street is filled with shopping and business centers.




There is also a very interesting corner house in the style of national romanticism of Finland, built in 1900. This was the first building in Finland that was designed for a trading company. The house is decorated with images of medieval women surrounded by forest.


Mikonkatu street goes straight to the Esplanadin puisto park.

Park Esplanadinpuisto

The Esplanade Linden Park (Esplanadinpuisto) was laid out in the very center of Helsinki in the 1830s. The alley of trees was included in the city development plan back in 1812. Of course, it’s better to walk here in the summer, but now we’ll just admire the sights of the surrounding area.


The Swedish Theater (an inconspicuous white building) appeared on this site in 1827. Then it was a wooden building. In 1866 and 1936 was rebuilt. Performances are conducted in Swedish.

Monument to the Finnish poet Johan Ludwig Runeberg, who wrote in Swedish about the ordinary Finnish people. The monument, made by the poet's son Walter Magnus, was erected in 1885 in the center of the Helsinki linden garden. It is interesting that the monument is not signed; supposedly everyone already knows to whom it is dedicated. At the bottom of the monument is the Virgin of Finland (Suomi-neito) with the Finnish anthem.


Restaurant Kappeli, similar to a museum. It appeared here back in 1840 in the form of a small counter and has since “grown” into a restaurant. The place is definitely touristic: there is a restaurant, a cafe, a bar, a summer terrace, a fountain and other goodies. I can’t recommend or dissuade, since we didn’t go inside.


Fountain “Havis Amanda”, which means “sea nymph” in Swedish. According to Finnish sculptor Ville Wallgren, a young maiden emerging from the sea perfectly symbolizes Helsinki. The sculpture was cast in Paris in 1906 and installed only in 1908.


Esplanade Park is located between two thoroughfares Eteläesplanadi (South Esplanadi) and Pohjoiesplanadi (North Esplanadi). The houses along these streets were built in the 19th century.

Grönqvistin talo, built in 1882-1883.


Hotel Kämp, built in 1887.


Both of these buildings were built according to the designs of the same architect. Similar buildings can be found both in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in many other cities of Russia. For example, the house of E. A. Dernova (St. Petersburg, Gorokhovaya St., 61), or the apartment building of K. B. Korpus (St. Petersburg, Gorokhovaya St., 16), located on the same street.

A huge inscription “My Helsinki”. Glows at night.

Kauppatori Market Square

Kauppatori Market Square is still a market place. Local residents buy fresh vegetables and fish here, and tourists buy souvenirs. Since 1594, a herring fair has been held annually in October on the market square. The market is open on weekends in the first half of the day.

Tram and bus stop: Kauppatori


The market square is adjacent to the bay, you can stroll along the water, admire the boats and ferries, or even sail to the island of Suomenlinna (I’ll tell you about it a little further). Someone opens restaurants in old ships:


Parking lot with the cutest turtles.


I think it’s inhumane to put stakes in skulls, even if they’re just figurines, it looks simply creepy.


The Empress Stele (Keisarinnankivi) is installed in the very center of the Market Square. The stela with the double-headed eagle was installed in 1835 after the visit of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, to Helsinki. The coat of arms of Finland with a lion is depicted on the eagle’s chest - a symbol of Finland’s entry into the Russian Empire. During the revolution of 1917, when Finland gained independence, the double-headed eagle was dropped. It was installed again on the obelisk in 1972.


The Assumption Cathedral can be seen in the background.


And pay attention to the buildings around the Market Square - typical St. Petersburg, except for the atypical visors and blinds on the windows.

Assumption Cathedral

The Assumption Cathedral (Uspenski katedreeli) was built in 1868, during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, when Finland was part of the Russian Empire. This is the largest Orthodox cathedral in Northern and Western Europe. The cathedral and adjacent houses stand on a separate island, to which there is a bridge from the Market Square - this is where the Katajanokka district begins (translated as Juniper Cape). If you have a couple of free hours, take a walk around Katajanokka and admire the interesting houses in the Finnish Art Nouveau style.




The white building in front of the cathedral is the headquarters of the Stura Enso company. This is a Finnish-Swedish timber company, one of the largest in the world. Its roots go back to 1288.

Suomenlinna Island or Sveaborg

Suomenlinna - translated from Finnish as “Finnish Fortress”, Sveaborg - translated from Swedish as “Swedish Fortress”. This is a bastion system of fortifications on the islands, now a museum and residential area. Why two names? The fortress was built in the 18th century, when Finland belonged to Sweden; after gaining independence, the Finns renamed the fortress Finnish. But, since Finland left two main languages, two names were assigned to the fortress.

How to get there? Getting there is very easy: a ferry departs from the Market Square to the island literally every hour. Ferry tickets are sold at the terminals at the pier. Minimum ticket price (round trip) for a 12-hour walk = 5 €. Daily passes for public transport are also valid on the ferry.

If you sail in the evening, make sure there is a return ferry, otherwise you will have to spend the night on the island. Also in the evening, cafeterias, shops and museums will be closed there.

Ticket terminals:




Ferry to Suomenlinna-Sveaborg:


There are wooden benches on the ferry, which even in winter are not enough for everyone. There is a deck exit, but in winter it is closed. The swim is very short, about 15-20 minutes.


View of Helsinki from the island:


Shore barracks or Main Gate. Date of construction - 1868-70.




Suomenlinnan kirkko, also known as the lighthouse church. This Orthodox church was built in 1854 on the orders of Nicholas I as a garrison church for Russian soldiers. Later it was rebuilt into a Lutheran church.


Military Museum:


Several bridges span the neighboring island of Susisaari (Wolf Island):






It is much more interesting to walk around the island of Susisaari, because it was the most fortified part, which means that beautiful bastions, passages and labyrinths have been preserved here.




The walls are built from natural stone. You can walk freely in all open tunnels. In good weather, it will be interesting to spend almost the whole day on the islands, since the territory is much wider than that shown in this article: beautiful rocky shores, many corridors inside stone walls, hilly meadows and a beautiful view of the Baltic Sea. It is important to note that on the islands in the bastions there are free toilets that are open even late in the evening.




The “Big Courtyard”, where the administrative center of the fortress and the commandant’s house were located. Most of the original buildings were destroyed by artillery of the Anglo-French fleet during the Crimean War in 1855; during restoration, only the first floors were preserved.


In the center of the “Big Courtyard” is the grave-monument of Augustin Ehrensvärd, the builder and first commandant of the Sveaborg fortress.


And these are residential buildings on the islands:

Senate square

Senate Square is located in the central part of the city in the Kruununhaka area, which translates as “calling card”. From Senate Square it is a stone's throw to Market Square and two steps to the railway station.

Tram and bus stop: Senaatintori

The absolutely symmetrical square was designed by the Finnish architect of German origin, Karl Ludwig Engel. Construction was carried out during the period when Finland became part of the Russian Empire: 1818-1852. Now it’s clear why the whole square evokes a feeling of déjà vu:


Carl Ludwig Engel clearly drew inspiration from Russia, especially St. Petersburg.

The snow-white Cathedral (an almost exact copy of St. Isaac's Cathedral) is the main cathedral of the Lutheran Church of Finland and the main dominant feature of Senate Square.


Strictness and minimalism are what distinguishes the interior decoration of the Lutheran cathedral from the Orthodox one: white walls, white columns, white statues of Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon and Michael Agricola. The only thing that decorates the temple inside is a small altar and a beautiful organ, made in 1967 at the Danish factory Marcussen & Son.


Opposite the cathedral:
A luxurious monument to Emperor Alexander II, erected in 1894. At the foot of the pedestal there are figures that represent “Law” (Lex), “Peace” (Pax), “Enlightenment” (Lux) and “Labor” (Labor).
The number 1863, fixed at the bottom of the monument, indicates the year in which Alexander II granted the constitution of autonomous (at that time) Finland.


Mansions of Swedish merchants of the 18th-19th centuries, the oldest among them is the Söderholm house, which now houses a free museum. The remaining merchant houses are now given over to offices, restaurants and shops.


To the west of the cathedral:
Helsinki University. From 1640 to 1827 The university was located in the city of Åbo (now Turku) as the Royal Academy of Åbo. After the fire in 1827, by decree of Emperor Nicholas I, the university was moved to Helsinki and renamed the Imperial Alexander University (in honor of the late brother of Alexander I). After the declaration of independence of Finland, the university began to be called the University of Helsinki.


The National Library of Finland is the country's oldest library and simultaneously serves as a university and national library.


To the east of the cathedral:
The State Council building (Government Palace), where the country's government still works. In the same building there is a very important room - the Presidential Hall, in which the President of Finland approves the laws of the country.

Despite the fact that the photographs were taken from different angles, you can see that the university building is an exact copy of the State Council building, except that there is no clock.


Helsinki University Museum Arppeanum and National Bank of Finland Museum Suomen pankin rahamuseo. These are two free museums, they stand opposite each other on the right side of the cathedral.

Church in the rock Temppeliaukion (entrance fee)

Temppeliaukion Church (Tempeliaukion kirkko) is a Lutheran parish church inside a rock, built (so to speak) in 1969.

The developers of the unusual church were the architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. They based their project on the idea of ​​harmony between the rock and the building, and maximum preservation of the rocky surface. Obviously, the best solution was to place the church inside the rock, rather than building one next to the other.

The public did not immediately accept such an unusual project; there were both indignations and protests; Some were afraid of the strange appearance of the church, others were afraid of the high cost of construction. However, soon after the completion of construction, the new church was filled with visitors, they began to write laudably about it in foreign magazines, and to this day the “temple in the rock” is considered one of the best Finnish buildings. In 2004, Temppeliaukio Church was declared a protected architectural monument.

Address: Lutherinkatu, 3 (Etu-Töölö district)
Opening hours: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 17:00, Sun from 10:45 to 17:00

From the outside the church looks like a rock. If you don’t know that this is a church, you can pass by.




The entrance looks like the entrance to a bunker.


Entrance to the church is paid = 3 €.

There is another door installed inside the church, next to which two girls stand with a cash register and give out these round ticket stickers, they are scattered throughout the church, both inside and outside. If there are a lot of people, and there are almost always large crowds of tourists, you can take advantage of the opportunity.


The inside of the church looks simply magnificent: solid stone walls, light falling through the roof. But it took 22 km of copper wire to wrap the roof.

Due to the excellent acoustics (thanks to the untreated stone), concerts are often held in the church.


You can go up to the second floor. The organ was manufactured by the leading organ building company in Finland - Veikko Virtanen OY, but the design was developed by brother architects.


Candles in the temple:


Not far from the church in the rock we saw a parking lot in the rock :)

Mannerheimintie street

Mannerheimintie street is the central avenue of Helsinki. It starts at Esplanadinpuisto Park and goes 5.5 km to the north of the city.

One of the most important museums in Helsinki, the National Museum of Finland (Suomen kansallismuseo), is located on this street. The museum's exhibitions represent the entire history of Finland: from the Middle Ages to the present day. Those who have visited the museum highly recommend it. Entrance for adults – 10€.

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00, Mon – closed
Address: Mannerheimintie 34




The building was built in 1910 according to the project of Finnish architects.


Not far from the National Museum of Finland is the Helsinki Music House (Musiikkitalo). The building was built in 2011 and is Helsinki's main concert house with several halls and a luxurious foyer.


In the courtyard of the building there is a funny composition “Singing Trees”. The creative idea is based on the poem “The Pike Song” (Hauen laulu, 1928) by the Finnish poet Aaro Hellakoski, in which a pike climbs a tree and sings.


The hall is decorated with a modern sculpture “Gaia”.


Even if you don’t plan to go to a concert, you can visit the House of Music as a “transit point”: you can warm up, sit and relax, use the toilet and Wi-Fi.

How to get from Russia to Helsinki

There are many ways to get from Russia to the capital of Finland, I will list only direct directions:
1. Planes fly non-stop to Helsinki from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.
2. There is a direct train from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
3. You can get there by direct bus from St. Petersburg.
4. You can also take a ferry from St. Petersburg to Helsinki.

We were traveling to Helsinki from Moscow with transfers:
First, take the Lux Express Special night bus to Tallinn (Estonia). Buses with soft folding seats, the bus also has a coffee machine, sockets at each seat, a toilet, Wi-Fi and tablets with various entertainment.


Then take the Mega Star ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Finland.


So the trip turned out to be less tiring and more varied, we even had time to walk around Tallinn.

We also returned from Helsinki on Lux Express buses, only through St. Petersburg.
Also, do not forget that to visit Finland you need a Schengen visa.