Where We Be
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| Uspenski Cathedral looks like it's set somewhere remote -- but it's actually in downtown Helsinki close to Market Square |
| Helsinki, Finland |
Helsinki is the world's northernmost metro area
with over one million people. It's also the most
northern capital of any EU member state. Here's
our list of favorite things to see and do here:
1) Seurasaari Open Air Museum, where tradi-
tional buildings from all over Finland have been
reassembled in a lovely natural setting. It feels
worlds away from the busy downtown area.
2) Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO site on its
own little island, offering a good excuse to get
out on the water. Just 15 minutes away by ferry.
3) Sibelius Monument with its "oversized organ
pipes" all smooshed together (fun for photos).
4) Uspenski Cathedral, largest orthodox church
in Western Europe, a beautiful cathedral in a
dramatic setting right in downtown Helsinki.
Helsinki's excellent transit system is a big help
in this spread-out city. The ABC pass (€17 for 48
hours) covers unlimited tram / bus / metro rides,
the ferry to Suomenlinna, the bus to Seurasaari,
and the 45-minute train ride to Helsinki Airport.
with over one million people. It's also the most
northern capital of any EU member state. Here's
our list of favorite things to see and do here:
1) Seurasaari Open Air Museum, where tradi-
tional buildings from all over Finland have been
reassembled in a lovely natural setting. It feels
worlds away from the busy downtown area.
2) Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO site on its
own little island, offering a good excuse to get
out on the water. Just 15 minutes away by ferry.
3) Sibelius Monument with its "oversized organ
pipes" all smooshed together (fun for photos).
4) Uspenski Cathedral, largest orthodox church
in Western Europe, a beautiful cathedral in a
dramatic setting right in downtown Helsinki.
Helsinki's excellent transit system is a big help
in this spread-out city. The ABC pass (€17 for 48
hours) covers unlimited tram / bus / metro rides,
the ferry to Suomenlinna, the bus to Seurasaari,
and the 45-minute train ride to Helsinki Airport.
| This peculiar little summer cottage boasts quite an elaborate portico |
| Next morning we catch a bus to the Sibelius Monument honoring the famous Finnish composer |
| Shout-out to our friend, Steve Miller, who inspired us to take these shots based on his own photos of the monument |
| The monument with its oversized metal "organ pipes" all smooshed together makes for some great photo opportunities |
| The main building of the University of Helsinki also sits on Senate Square |
| Senate Square, a short walk away, is sometimes considered the “center” of Helsinki. It's home to Helsinki Cathedral, the lovely white church with green domes shown above. |
| Once back on Market Square, be sure to visit the stunningly situated Uspenski Cathedral atop its hill |
| Helsinki Cathedral rises up dramatically as you pull into the harbor |
| The ferry ride home offers pleasant views of other islands near Helsinki |
| Suomenlinna's key sights are all located along a one-mile "blue route" running through the fortress. The endpoint is King's Gate, shown above. |
| A cruise ship somehow transits a narrow sea passage at Suomenlinna -- much to our surprise |
| One of the many cannons on the island |
| Kustaanmiekka Bastion offers distant views of Helsinki |
| The Great Courtyard was completed in the 1760s and served as the main square. This memorial tomb honors the fortress's architect. |
| Eckero Line Ferry (~$25 each) offers a fun way to get from Tallinn to Helsinki. It's a 2 hr 15 minute ferry ride across the Baltic Sea. We spent our time on the top deck relaxing at a picnic table. At midships there's a cafe with a live band. |
| Helsinki's Central Railway Station is a sight in its own right -- it's an Art Nouveau building designed by Eliel Saarinen. (It's also where you board the train for Helsinki Airport.) |
| The Finnish National Theater (1872) sits right next to the train station and is one of the more handsome buildings in the downtown area |
| We visit Suomenlinna Fortress on the same day we arrive, catching the 4 pm ferry for the enjoyable 15-minute ride |
| Suomenlinna Fortress -- owned in turn by the Swedes, Russians, and Finns -- is now a UNESCO World Heritage site offering a fun (and free) local getaway |
| The island fortress is riddled with tunnels and secret passages once used for storage and bombproof protection in wartime |
| You're free to wander the grounds and see the buildings from the outside, but we recommend paying the €10 each to be able to go inside -- it's money well spent |
| Our final stop is Kamppi Chapel, described as "a womb-like wooden chapel offering a quiet spot in Helsinki center for contemplation" |
| We each enjoy picking out our favorite homestead -- this is Robin's choice |
| The weathered old buildings here offer the chance for some interesting photos |
| The beautiful natural setting of Seurasaari is part of the charm of this place |
| Karuna Church, built in 1685 and moved to Seurasaari in 1912, is the oldest building in the museum. It contains this "poor man statue" (used to collect alms for the poor) and these strange candle sconces. |
| We spend several hours touring the island from building to building -- farmhouses, churches, hay lofts, shepherds’ huts, etc. |
| The buildings give insight into life in rural Finland through the centuries |
| Traditional buildings from all over Finland have been lovingly reassembled here |
| Further northwest is Seurasaari Open Air Museum with its lovely pedestrian bridge crossing over to the island |
| We stay at the castle-like (and central) GLO Hotel Art, just a short tram ride away |
| Uspenski Cathedral and SkyWheel Helsinki are immediately visible as you leave the harbor area at Market Square |
| Fortress-like Suomenlinna Church serves double duty as a lighthouse |
| The flag of Finland flies above the fortress |
| GLO Hotel -- home at last after a full day! |
| Docents dressed in period costume are here to answer any questions you might have. It's sort of like a Finnish version of Colonial Williamsburg. |
| This odd little "treehouse" is actually a bear cache |
| Karuna bell tower next to the church |
| The return bus drops us off in front of the memorably decorated Helsinki Museum of Art |
| A nearby Taco Bell offers what's probably the cheapest food in Helsinki |