The capital of Finland is a relatively young city,which was founded in 1550. For almost four centuries of its existence, Helsinki was occupied by the Russians several times. Moreover, at the beginning of the 19th century, after the Russo-Swedish War, this city, almost completely destroyed, was rebuilt according to the plans of a Russian architect. That is why the central part of Helsinki and some of its architectural monuments are very reminiscent of St. Petersburg. If you want to go abroad, but your financial resources do not allow you to visit, for example, Central Europe or South America, or you do not have time to get a visa, Finland, and in particular the capital of this republic, is an ideal solution. Firstly, such a trip will not require very long flights, and secondly, you will be able to immerse yourself in the magical European atmosphere, while feeling that you are not so far from home. If you consider yourself an art connoisseur, love the refined style and charm of northern legends, you should also boldly go to Helsinki: the sights of this city, especially its architectural ensembles, will be able to give aesthetic pleasure even to the most demanding travelers.
Architectural monuments of the city
The main attraction of Helsinkiis considered to be the Senate Square, located in the city center, along the perimeter of which is one of the most majestic architectural ensembles of the city in the Empire style. The Assumption Cathedral is also located here - one of the largest Orthodox churches in Europe. Another work of architectural art is the Cathedral, built on the model of the Kazan Cathedral. In addition, the Senate Square is home to the main building and library of the local University and the oldest building in the city - the house of the merchant Sederholm. Such a concentration of various historical and architectural monuments in the city center will help you to see several attractions at once in a short time, and spend the free time on other entertainment. If the Senate Square does not satisfy your craving for viewing interesting and unusual buildings, you can go to the City Hall, which, together with the adjacent blocks, creates a rather unusual impression.
Souvenirs and other small pleasures
You can make souvenirs for your family and friendsbuy at the Market Square, which is also a unique landmark of Helsinki. The most famous and largest market in the city is located here, where you can buy absolutely anything. Not far from the Market Square on the embankment is the old indoor market, which is a meeting place for all Finnish gourmets. In addition to small confectionery and meat shops in the European style, you can find specialized shops here that sell national Lappish delicacies. If you get tired of exploring the local beauties, you can relax with a cup of tea in one of the street cafes located here, or visit a Japanese restaurant.
For connoisseurs of art
The capital of Finland includes more than three hundredislands, so more than a third of its total area is occupied by parks and squares, where you can always walk, enjoying the clean northern air. One of the most popular parks is the Esplanade Boulevard, located in the city center. In winter, this unique natural landmark of Helsinki pleases the eyes of visitors with unusual light effects, and in the summer, famous and just starting their career performers perform on the concert stage of the park. In addition, in this city you will find more than 70 different museums and art galleries that can diversify the rest of all art lovers. If you do not consider yourself one of them, then you can also visit one or several museums and join the world culture, because here are collected the most interesting works of national and world authors. One of the favorite places of tourists from different countries is the church on Temppeliaukio Square. The uniqueness of this architectural landmark of Helsinki in the minimalist style is that it is carved directly into the rock. The acoustics inside this building are very good, so in addition to religious services, various concerts are sometimes held here.
Holidays in Helsinki with children
If you are going on holiday with children, thenYou and your child will be interested in the local family park Linnanmäki. In addition to the rides themselves, the list of which has been updated every year since 1950, in this park you can take part in carnivals and light shows, which are absolutely free to attend. Little travelers will also like the Korkeasaari Zoo, which contains representatives of the animal world from all over the world. Among the local inhabitants, you can find a wolverine, a hump-nosed seal and an otter. If after visiting all the sights of Helsinki you still have the strength and time, you can go to the Suomenlinna fortress, where the history of this city began. The fort in which this fortress is located is under the protection of UNESCO. On the territory of Suomenlinna there are 7 museums, various cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops and other delights that will delight the soul of any tourist. You can get to the fortress by river tram, which departs from the Market Square. During the warm season, you can go on a walking tour from Suomenlinna on any day convenient for you. In winter, such tours are organized only on the weekend. If you look at the sights of Helsinki on the map, you will see that they are all located at a fairly short distance from each other, so in this city you can afford the luxury, often unavailable in other cities - to see all the interesting architectural monuments, parks and museums, while leaving time for yourself, for example, to visit a local sauna, go to a nightclub or go on a romantic trip. Helsinki is an amazing northern city, and everyone can afford to touch its charm, including you. We recommend reading:
