My Visual Travel Experience: Helsinki

Helsinki, the Finnish capital and a city with a population of about 630,000, is an interesting place. Winters aren't easy, with temperatures going well below -10 degrees Centigrade, and daylight being there from just 10 am to 4 pm! Saunas are an extremely popular way of staying warm during those cold winter days! Summers are extremely pleasant though.

The city has a rich history. It was set up as a trading town by King Gustav of Sweden in 1550. It was however, only after the Russians defeated the Swedes in the Finnish War in 1809 that Helsinki really developed. In 1812, Russian Emperor Alexander I moved the capital of Finland from Turku to Helsinki to bring it closer to St Petersburg. There was no looking back for Helsinki subsequently in terms of development.

I was fortunate to visit Helsinki several times between 2008 and 2010 during my stint in Nokia, as the headquarters of the Finnish telecom company were in Espoo, on the outskirts of Helsinki. Subsequently, I have visited Helsinki several times - Finnair has extremely reasonable prices for trips to Europe, and almost every time I have flown to Europe, it has been via Helsinki, and I have made it a point to stop for at least a day. There has been the added incentive of having several of my Indian ex Nokia friends there, a couple of whom were still there on my most recent trip in the summer of 2017. A special thanks to Geetanjali Sharma, Aditya Pratap Alur and Anupriya, for making this trip special. And a big thanks to Bhavna Talwar and the rest of the gang for their hospitality on my previous visits!

Helsinki Cathedral is a prominent city landmark at Senate Square. The white neo classical structure has a large green dome, and four smaller domes. It was completed in 1852 as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. The cathedral's high altar has a painting depicting The Descent from the Cross, and the cathedral has life size statues of four religious leaders, including Martin Luther. The Senate House and the University of Helsinki also lie along Senate Square, close to the cathedral.

Helsinki Cathedral

High Altar of Helsinki Cathedral

Organ at Helsinki Cathedral

Statue of Martin Luther at Helsinki Cathedral

Pulpit at Helsinki Cathedral

Market Square lies near the harbour. The Baltic Sea lies just south of it, and there are ferries to places like Stockholm and Talinn from there. The square buzzes with life during spring and summer, when vendors set up food stalls. The square also has the Town Hall, the Market Hall, the Empress' Obelisk, and the nude statue of the mysterious Haavis Amanda surrounded by statues of seals.

The Town Hall at Market Square

Haavis Amanda Statue at Market Square;
no one knows too much about the
mysterious woman depicted in this statue

Empress' Obelisk at Market Square

Old Market Hall at Market Square

Esplanade Park is a park in the heart of the city, that starts from Market Square. It has several statues and fountains, and the streets around it have numerous fashionable stores and restaurants.

Capelli, a popular restaurant at Esplanade Park

Esplanade Park, J L Runeberg Statue

Uspenski Cathedral is a Russian orthodox cathedral completed in 1868. The cathedral has several precious icons, and is the largest orthodox cathedral in western Europe.

Uspenski Cathedral

Interior, Uspenski Cathedral

The National Museum, with its castle like exterior and 53 meter high tower, was opened in 1916 and has exhibits featuring archaeological finds, medieval religious sculptures, porcelain and ceramic works, period furniture, and portraits of Swedish and Russian rulers.

National Museum

Crucifixion Painting, National Museum

Drawing Room of Jakkarila Manor, 
National Museum

Peasants' Fur Bag, National Museum

Porcelain Figures, National Museum

Aleksanderinkatu is the city's main shopping street, with several department stores, including the famous Stockmann Department Store. The street also has many restaurants. It also has the prominent statue of the Three Smiths.

Statue of The Three Smiths

The Summer Olympic Games were held in Helsinki in 1952. The Olympic Village is certainly worth a visit. One can see the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Museum. There's also a statue of the legendary Finnish athlete, Paavo Nurmi, who won several medals for his country at the Olympic Games in the 1920s, with his amazing skills at distance running.

Statue of Paavo Nurmi

Helsinki Railway Station is a prominent city landmark. The building has a soaring clock tower, and the walls are lined with interesting sculptures near the entrance.

Helsinki Railway Station

Sculptures, Helsinki Railway Station

Tempelaiokiu Church is a unique underground church, built under a large rock. It is worth a visit for its sheer uniqueness.

Tempelaiokiu Church

The National Theatre is another one of the city's landmarks. In the winter months, the area in front of it is converted into an ice skating rink.

National Theatre

Soumenlinna Island Fortress is a short ferry ride away from Market Square. It was built by the Swedes, who protected the city from there. It is an interesting visit. On another nearby island, there's Helsinki Zoo, also accessibly by ferry.

The Church at Soumenlinna

Good places for food include the stalls at Market Square (in spring and summer), the fashionable restaurants near Esplanade Park and along Aleksanderinkatu, joints at Kampi, or food courts at some of the stores like Stockmann. For food lovers willing to experiment with food, Helsinki is a place where one can have reindeer meat, and even bear meat!! I couldn't get myself to have either!

All said in done, Helsinki may not have the buzz of a London or a Paris, but it is a pleasant town that can easily keep visitors happily occupied for 3 to 4 days. I recommend it strongly, but with a rider that one should probably go in the summer months!!