Picture: Kaisa Luukannel / Visit Helsinki
ARCHITECTURE
The cityscape in Helsinki harmoniously combines Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau, Alvar Aalto and contemporary architecture. The buildings in the city centre present visitors with a fascinating journey through the changing styles of past centuries. Overall the city’s architecture is typified by Nordic minimalism and refinement. Helsinki’s districts each have their own style, the best examples being the historic city centre, Eira and Katajanokka.
The area around Senate Square forms a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. Thanks go to the genius of German architect Carl Ludvig Engel and the generous financial support of Russia’s tsars. The first buildings here appeared in the 1640s, including a church, cemetery and town hall. The jewel in the crown is the brilliant white cathedral known in Finnish as Tuomiokirkko. Between Senate Square and the Market Square is the Tori Quarter, which is home to lots of small boutiques and restaurants.
To balance the simple Lutheran cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral was built nearby in Katajanokka in 1862–1868. Uspenski Cathedral represents Helsinki’s Byzantine-Russian architectural heritage and is the largest Orthodox church edifice in Western Europe.
The Art Nouveau or “Jugend” movement flourished in the early 20th century and was given a unique National Romantic interpretation in Finland. Splendid Jugend buildings designed by the legendary architect trio Gesellius-Lindgren-Saarinen and Lars Sonck can be found throughout the city centre, including Jugendsali, Pohjola-talo (the former headquarters of the Pohjola Insurance Company) and the National Museum of Finland. One of Helsinki’s famous landmarks, the Central Railway Station was designed by Eliel Saarinen in the Functional style that succeeded the Jugend movement.
Wooden architecture is still as much a part of the Finnish soul as “sauna, sisu and salmiakki”. The freshest examples of contemporary wooden architecture are the Kamppi Chapel of Silence and the Kulttuurisauna “Culture Sauna”. The tradition of building out of wood can be admired in the districts of Käpylä, Kumpula and Puu-Vallila. The architecture in Käpylä represents Nordic Classicism of the 1920s, the other extreme of which is the monumental Parliament House designed by J. S. Sirén. The period of Functionalism that followed this is represented by the Olympic Stadium and Lasipalatsi.
The works of legendary Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, including Finlandia Hall, Kulttuuritalo and Rautatalo, are the most outstanding examples of Nordic Modernism.
Another design classic, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki, is the Temppeliaukio Church. Carved out of the granite bedrock, the church was designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma is itself a work of art that was designed by the American architect Steven Holl. Other fine examples of contemporary trends in architecture include the minimalistic steel and glass Sanomatalo, which stands alongside Kiasma, and the High Tech Center in the Ruoholahti district.
Helsinki is going through a fascinating process of renewal as former industrial and harbour areas, such as Kalasatama, Jätkäsaari and Kruunuvuorenranta, are being converted into new districts that will attract visitors too.
A stroll around Töölönlahti Bay is a great way of experiencing the city’s architecture in such landmarks as Helsinki Music Centre, Finlandia Hall, the National Opera and Kiasma. Visitors can also rent a bike and ride along the Baana, the new bicycle and pedestrian route that has replaced an old railway line, to enjoy the contemporary architecture in the Ruoholahti district.
It is easy to discover the splendid architecture in Helsinki’s districts on foot, by sightseeing bus or even by riding the 3T tram. Special architectural tours are also available.
BETWEEN EAST AND WEST
Throughout its 450-year history, maritime Helsinki has swung between the currents of Eastern and Western influences. The lifestyle in the second most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and fascinating habit cultures. Influences from both the East and West are visible in the city’s architecture, culinary culture, events, traditions and many other elements that are unique to the way of life in Helsinki.
Helsinki’s architecture is typified by Nordic minimalism and refinement, yet at the same time the styles of different periods can be clearly seen. The contrasts between Eastern and Western influences are most noticeable in the city’s two main cathedrals. The unostentatious Lutheran Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko) and the Byzantine-Russian redbrick Uspenski Cathedral with its golden cupolas compete for attention within a stone’s throw of each other.
Eastern and Western influences can also be tasted in Helsinki’s culinary culture. The oven-cooking traditions of Eastern Finland and the grilling culture of Western Finland are these days interwoven, and both are represented in the local cuisine. Eastern cultural traditions are also reflected in our love for preserved foods and our use of Northern grains, such as rye and barley. Rye bread is still the most popular type of bread at the dinner table in Helsinki.
In addition to Uspenski Cathedral, there are many other sights in Helsinki related to the tsarist era. Monuments such as the Tsarina’s Stone in the Market Square, the statue to Alexander II in Senate Square, Russian boutiques and restaurants such as Saslik and Bellevue provide an exotic eastern edge to the otherwise western culture of Helsinki.
The Finnish language itself acts as a boundary of sorts between East and West. Finnish belongs to neither the Western Romance languages nor to the Eastern Slavic languages but is based on its own Fenno-Ugric heritage. Naturally, the cultural influences of both East and West have left their mark on our language in the form of numerous loan words, but despite the force of foreign trends and rulers the Finnish language remains very different.
Helsinki also serves as a bridge between East and West, particularly in terms of travel. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport offers direct flights not only to Europe and the USA but also to many Asian destinations. There are also daily train connections to St. Petersburg and Moscow. The sea surrounds Helsinki from the South, East and West, connecting Helsinki to many other cities along the coast of the Baltic Sea.
MARITIME APPEAL
Helsinki’s maritime silhouette is part of the national landscape of Finland. The proximity to the sea can be sensed everywhere in Helsinki, which is surrounded on three sides by water. Helsinki has almost 100 kilometres of shoreline and around 300 islands. Many of the islands are open to the public for recreational purposes, and they can be easily reached from the mainland by ferry. The archipelago offers endless opportunities for experiences throughout the year.
Helsinki’s South Harbour (Eteläsatama) is a hub for ferry services and one of Europe’s most beautiful harbours. International cruise ships generally tie up at the cruise terminal in Hernesaari with connections to the Market Square by ferry in summertime.
The Market Square is the main base for local water traffic. Regular guided sightseeing cruises, as well as lunch and dinner cruises, are offered throughout the summer, allowing visitors to admire the city and its shoreline from the sea.
In the heart of the archipelago is Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is open year round. The fortress islands offer lots to see and do for visitors of all ages: bastion walls, cannons, tunnels, museums, cafés and restaurants. The municipal ferry to Suomenlinna also operates in wintertime and is a fun experience in itself.
In summertime, ferries from the mainland operate to Helsinki Zoo on the island of Korkessaari, the recreational islands of Pihlajasaari and Uunisaari, and the charming historical town of Porvoo. Hop on-hop off ferries also operate from the cruise terminal in Hernesaari around the southern peninsula to the Market Square and onwards to Tokoinranta.
Wealthy residents built summer villas on the islands off the coast of Helsinki in the 1800s. The island of Pihlajasaari was one of these villa islands that is now a recreational area that is very popular among sunbathers. The smaller island of Uunisaari also has a swimming beach and is located just three minutes from the mainland by ferry. The island of Harakka is rich in plants and birdlife.
Helsinki has several high-quality island restaurants, such as NJK, Särkkä, Saaristo, Boathouse, Saari and Savu, that are easy to get to by ferry from the mainland. Helsinki’s maritime heritage and the Baltic Sea are reflected in the local cuisine. Seafood and participating HelsinkiMenu restaurants serve the best seasonal seafood dishes, including burbot and burbot roe in wintertime, perch, whitefish, pikeperch, salmon, herring and crayfish in summertime, and Baltic herring and vendace in the autumn. Coffees can also be enjoyed in a maritime setting aboard the historical lighthouse ship at the Halkolaituri Quay in summertime and aboard the tall ship by the Market Square in wintertime.
Kalasatama, Jätkäsaari and Kruunuvuorenranta are former harbour areas that are being converted into new residential and commercial districts, offering visitors a unique perspective on the city’s maritime past, present and future.
Long walks by the sea are a part of the local culture in Helsinki. Helsinki’s islands and coastline are perfect places to enjoy the fresh air and swimming. The most popular swimming beach is Hietaniemi, or “Hietsu” as it is known locally. Here you can swim and sunbathe, as well as play volleyball or minigolf. Visitors can try an authentic Finnish sauna on the island of Uunisaari or in the brand new Kulttuurisauna “Culture Sauna” that opens beside the sea in Hakaniemi in spring 2013.
(Text: Visit Helsinki)
The cityscape in Helsinki harmoniously combines Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau, Alvar Aalto and contemporary architecture. The buildings in the city centre present visitors with a fascinating journey through the changing styles of past centuries. Overall the city’s architecture is typified by Nordic minimalism and refinement. Helsinki’s districts each have their own style, the best examples being the historic city centre, Eira and Katajanokka.
The area around Senate Square forms a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. Thanks go to the genius of German architect Carl Ludvig Engel and the generous financial support of Russia’s tsars. The first buildings here appeared in the 1640s, including a church, cemetery and town hall. The jewel in the crown is the brilliant white cathedral known in Finnish as Tuomiokirkko. Between Senate Square and the Market Square is the Tori Quarter, which is home to lots of small boutiques and restaurants.
To balance the simple Lutheran cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral was built nearby in Katajanokka in 1862–1868. Uspenski Cathedral represents Helsinki’s Byzantine-Russian architectural heritage and is the largest Orthodox church edifice in Western Europe.
The Art Nouveau or “Jugend” movement flourished in the early 20th century and was given a unique National Romantic interpretation in Finland. Splendid Jugend buildings designed by the legendary architect trio Gesellius-Lindgren-Saarinen and Lars Sonck can be found throughout the city centre, including Jugendsali, Pohjola-talo (the former headquarters of the Pohjola Insurance Company) and the National Museum of Finland. One of Helsinki’s famous landmarks, the Central Railway Station was designed by Eliel Saarinen in the Functional style that succeeded the Jugend movement.
Wooden architecture is still as much a part of the Finnish soul as “sauna, sisu and salmiakki”. The freshest examples of contemporary wooden architecture are the Kamppi Chapel of Silence and the Kulttuurisauna “Culture Sauna”. The tradition of building out of wood can be admired in the districts of Käpylä, Kumpula and Puu-Vallila. The architecture in Käpylä represents Nordic Classicism of the 1920s, the other extreme of which is the monumental Parliament House designed by J. S. Sirén. The period of Functionalism that followed this is represented by the Olympic Stadium and Lasipalatsi.
The works of legendary Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, including Finlandia Hall, Kulttuuritalo and Rautatalo, are the most outstanding examples of Nordic Modernism.
Another design classic, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki, is the Temppeliaukio Church. Carved out of the granite bedrock, the church was designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma is itself a work of art that was designed by the American architect Steven Holl. Other fine examples of contemporary trends in architecture include the minimalistic steel and glass Sanomatalo, which stands alongside Kiasma, and the High Tech Center in the Ruoholahti district.
Helsinki is going through a fascinating process of renewal as former industrial and harbour areas, such as Kalasatama, Jätkäsaari and Kruunuvuorenranta, are being converted into new districts that will attract visitors too.
A stroll around Töölönlahti Bay is a great way of experiencing the city’s architecture in such landmarks as Helsinki Music Centre, Finlandia Hall, the National Opera and Kiasma. Visitors can also rent a bike and ride along the Baana, the new bicycle and pedestrian route that has replaced an old railway line, to enjoy the contemporary architecture in the Ruoholahti district.
It is easy to discover the splendid architecture in Helsinki’s districts on foot, by sightseeing bus or even by riding the 3T tram. Special architectural tours are also available.
BETWEEN EAST AND WEST
Throughout its 450-year history, maritime Helsinki has swung between the currents of Eastern and Western influences. The lifestyle in the second most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and fascinating habit cultures. Influences from both the East and West are visible in the city’s architecture, culinary culture, events, traditions and many other elements that are unique to the way of life in Helsinki.
Helsinki’s architecture is typified by Nordic minimalism and refinement, yet at the same time the styles of different periods can be clearly seen. The contrasts between Eastern and Western influences are most noticeable in the city’s two main cathedrals. The unostentatious Lutheran Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko) and the Byzantine-Russian redbrick Uspenski Cathedral with its golden cupolas compete for attention within a stone’s throw of each other.
Eastern and Western influences can also be tasted in Helsinki’s culinary culture. The oven-cooking traditions of Eastern Finland and the grilling culture of Western Finland are these days interwoven, and both are represented in the local cuisine. Eastern cultural traditions are also reflected in our love for preserved foods and our use of Northern grains, such as rye and barley. Rye bread is still the most popular type of bread at the dinner table in Helsinki.
In addition to Uspenski Cathedral, there are many other sights in Helsinki related to the tsarist era. Monuments such as the Tsarina’s Stone in the Market Square, the statue to Alexander II in Senate Square, Russian boutiques and restaurants such as Saslik and Bellevue provide an exotic eastern edge to the otherwise western culture of Helsinki.
The Finnish language itself acts as a boundary of sorts between East and West. Finnish belongs to neither the Western Romance languages nor to the Eastern Slavic languages but is based on its own Fenno-Ugric heritage. Naturally, the cultural influences of both East and West have left their mark on our language in the form of numerous loan words, but despite the force of foreign trends and rulers the Finnish language remains very different.
Helsinki also serves as a bridge between East and West, particularly in terms of travel. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport offers direct flights not only to Europe and the USA but also to many Asian destinations. There are also daily train connections to St. Petersburg and Moscow. The sea surrounds Helsinki from the South, East and West, connecting Helsinki to many other cities along the coast of the Baltic Sea.
MARITIME APPEAL
Helsinki’s maritime silhouette is part of the national landscape of Finland. The proximity to the sea can be sensed everywhere in Helsinki, which is surrounded on three sides by water. Helsinki has almost 100 kilometres of shoreline and around 300 islands. Many of the islands are open to the public for recreational purposes, and they can be easily reached from the mainland by ferry. The archipelago offers endless opportunities for experiences throughout the year.
Helsinki’s South Harbour (Eteläsatama) is a hub for ferry services and one of Europe’s most beautiful harbours. International cruise ships generally tie up at the cruise terminal in Hernesaari with connections to the Market Square by ferry in summertime.
The Market Square is the main base for local water traffic. Regular guided sightseeing cruises, as well as lunch and dinner cruises, are offered throughout the summer, allowing visitors to admire the city and its shoreline from the sea.
In the heart of the archipelago is Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is open year round. The fortress islands offer lots to see and do for visitors of all ages: bastion walls, cannons, tunnels, museums, cafés and restaurants. The municipal ferry to Suomenlinna also operates in wintertime and is a fun experience in itself.
In summertime, ferries from the mainland operate to Helsinki Zoo on the island of Korkessaari, the recreational islands of Pihlajasaari and Uunisaari, and the charming historical town of Porvoo. Hop on-hop off ferries also operate from the cruise terminal in Hernesaari around the southern peninsula to the Market Square and onwards to Tokoinranta.
Wealthy residents built summer villas on the islands off the coast of Helsinki in the 1800s. The island of Pihlajasaari was one of these villa islands that is now a recreational area that is very popular among sunbathers. The smaller island of Uunisaari also has a swimming beach and is located just three minutes from the mainland by ferry. The island of Harakka is rich in plants and birdlife.
Helsinki has several high-quality island restaurants, such as NJK, Särkkä, Saaristo, Boathouse, Saari and Savu, that are easy to get to by ferry from the mainland. Helsinki’s maritime heritage and the Baltic Sea are reflected in the local cuisine. Seafood and participating HelsinkiMenu restaurants serve the best seasonal seafood dishes, including burbot and burbot roe in wintertime, perch, whitefish, pikeperch, salmon, herring and crayfish in summertime, and Baltic herring and vendace in the autumn. Coffees can also be enjoyed in a maritime setting aboard the historical lighthouse ship at the Halkolaituri Quay in summertime and aboard the tall ship by the Market Square in wintertime.
Kalasatama, Jätkäsaari and Kruunuvuorenranta are former harbour areas that are being converted into new residential and commercial districts, offering visitors a unique perspective on the city’s maritime past, present and future.
Long walks by the sea are a part of the local culture in Helsinki. Helsinki’s islands and coastline are perfect places to enjoy the fresh air and swimming. The most popular swimming beach is Hietaniemi, or “Hietsu” as it is known locally. Here you can swim and sunbathe, as well as play volleyball or minigolf. Visitors can try an authentic Finnish sauna on the island of Uunisaari or in the brand new Kulttuurisauna “Culture Sauna” that opens beside the sea in Hakaniemi in spring 2013.
(Text: Visit Helsinki)
Picture: Tomi Laurila/Visit Helsinki
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Picture: Joel Rosenberg/Visit Helsinki
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