Helsinki is the capital of the Scandinavian country of Finland. Located on the Gulf of Finland, this city can be called modern with beautiful historic elements including a number of imposing churches and cathedrals. Anyone visiting Helsinki will notice that life for a big city is quite pleasant and friendly. Despite its location on the water, Helsinki has to deal with relatively cool winters, with the thermometer usually also staying below freezing during the period from December to February. If you want to visit this beautiful city, it is better to choose the summer. Precisely because the contrast between summer and winter is quite large for the Finns, many outdoor events are held in the summer months, which makes the city extra attractive for a visit at that time. So you can enjoy the summer carnival of Helsinki, where samba schools bring a piece of Brazil to Finland. Check topmbadirectory for how to get to Finland.
Helsinki ‘s Top 10 Things to Do
#1. Helsinki Cathedral
It took no less than 22 years to build the Senate Square to make the Helsinki Cathedral what it is. A beautifully majestic church with beautiful dome and small domed towers. The statues of the twelve apostles are distributed over the four entrances that the church has. On sunny days, the steps in front of the church are almost completely filled with people enjoying the view. Concerts and exhibitions are regularly organized in the crypt.
#2. Senate Square
The beautiful and colossal Senate Square is actually called Helsinki’s main square. Here you will find the mighty beautiful Dom Church with the University of Helsinki in the east. The Senate building is again opposite the university. The National Library of Finland is also located on this square. All these buildings were designed in neoclassical style by Carl Ludvig Engel. The square is graced at the central point by the beautiful statue of Tsar Alexander II. Check simplyyellowpages for mass media and culture of Finland.
#3. Uspenski Cathedral
In the center of Helsinki in the Katajanokka district is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in Western and Northern Europe. This is the red brick Uspenski Cathedral. Inside you can admire a beautiful iconostasis. This church is a clear confirmation of the Russian influence on Finnish history.
#4. Roihuvuori water tower
Helsinki has a number of water towers that used to supply the inhabitants with water. The most special is the Roihuvuori water tower which can be found in the east of Helsinki. It is 52 meters high and has a tank capacity of 12,600 m³. In the evening the water tower is illuminated
#5. National opera with three symphony orchestras
Although the building of the Finnish National Opera does not look very special, it is recommended to visit an opera or ballet performance. The quality and perfection that the staff of about 735 people manage to put away is sublime. About 20 different operas and 110 ballet performances are staged annually.
#6. Central Station
In the center of the city of Helsinki you will find the huge central station. Here it is a coming and going of different trains and meters. About 20,000 passengers pass through this station every day. Important features of the building are the green bell tower and the statues with lamps at the entrance. The President of Helsinki has his own space in the station. The lounge area is approximately 540 m².
#7. National Museum
To get a good idea of the history of Finland, you should definitely visit the National Museum. Here, history from the Stone Age to the present is clearly displayed. You will find many objects from the different eras. The museum is housed in a beautiful building on the Mannerheimintie.
#8. Temppeliaukio church
The architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen started a very special building in 1968. They have worked a massive granite rock from the inside into a church where classical concerts are regularly given. The rock walls give a very special acoustics which makes this location unique. The ceiling is finished with a copper dome which can be seen from the outside like a flying saucer. The church is nicknamed ‘the Rock Church or Church in the Rock’.
#9. Seurasaari Open Air Museum
A nice and separate museum can be found on the island of Seurasaari. This is where the open-air museum of Seurasaari is located, where you can taste the peaceful old atmosphere and traditions of Finland. The museum was founded in 1909 and gives you a good idea about the old Finnish houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these wooden houses can be admired in this museum. There is also a mill and Karuna church.
#10. Esplanade park
Right in the heart of Helsinki is the delightful city park Esplanade. This beautiful resting place in the hustle and bustle is wonderful to come to yourself. All kinds of events are organized in summer. On weekends it is crowded with locals. There is a small kiosk where you can buy some refreshments and the Kappeli restaurant.
