Welcome back folks for another episode of City
Guides! Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a city where the beauty of the natural surroundings melds
with modern technology and trends. Being one of the most peaceful cities in the world, Helsinki
is home to some amazing green urban spaces and fascinating islands. Now let's take a closer look
and go on a Helsinki sightseeing tour! Helsinki's neoclassical architecture is best
exemplified by the Senate Square and the area around it. Four buildings designed by Carl
Ludvig Engel dominate the square. The National Library of Finland, the Government Palace, the
University of Helsinki's main building and the Helsinki Cathedral are all famous landmarks.
In the center of Senate Square is a statue of Alexander II from 1894. Alexander Street is the
main street in the center of Helsinki. In 1833 it was named after the Russian Emperor Alexander I. Alexander Street becomes a bustling pedestrian street during the weekends. Only trams
and emergency cars are permitted onto the street during this period, making the area safe and
accessible for the vast crowds. This historic boulevard, which is particularly well-liked in
the summer, has also hosted countless election campaigns and public concerts. The street
is one of Helsinki's top spots for shopping, tourism and holiday celebrations and is easily
accessible by foot and public transportation. Suomenlinna's fortified islands are an
essential part of Helsinki. Although they may appear far away at first, they are actually
close by and can be reached by a 20-minute ferry ride. The island is dominated by the
fortification of Sveborg, which is translated as the Swedish Castle. To prevent Russian access
to the Baltic, it was built in the middle of the 18th century. It was captured by the Russians
in the Swedish Russian war of 1808, and they later strengthened and expanded it. It was
taken over by the Finns in 1918 and they gave it the name Suomenlinna or the Finnish
Castle. It was turned over by the military to civilian authorities in the 1950s and since
then it has been renovated and transformed for cultural and recreational purposes. It is
a museum, park and arts facility, that is now listed among UNESCO's World Heritage Monuments.
The region is excessive for the most of the year, although hours and ferry access may change,
so check the internet for up-to-date details. The Uspenski Cathedral is one of the most
impressive structures that dominate the skyline above Helsinki's port. It was designed by the
russian architect Aleksey Gornostayev in the 19th century. This magnificent brick structure
is recognizable for its numerous towers and spires, which are crowned by 13 golden cupolas.
This Orthodox church's interior is similarly remarkable, with numerous altars, icons and crosses
scattered throughout. The elaborate patterns on its arches contrast with the block marble
interior and a heavy use of gold ornamentation. Eliel Saarinen created Helsinki's strikingly
original Art Nouveau railway station, which is particularly noteworthy for American tourists,
because Saarinen's 48-meter-tall clock tower was the first of several designs that ultimately
led to the creation of the Chicago Tribune Tower in 1922, the country's first skyscraper.
The station's facade is composed of local granite and it has a huge archway over the
entrance, that is surrounded on either side by two enormous statues. Each figure is holding
a globe that shines light on the building's facade at night, creating a stunning landmark.
Visitors will find remarkably exquisite carved panels decorating the walls inside, as well as
soaring arched passageways. In 1971 Alvar Aalto created the Finlandia Hall, which is a famous
performance and convention center. It has a white Carrara marble facade. Marble was also used for
the interior of the building. Details were made of ceramics and hardwoods. The main performance
hall has a beautiful location, and is renowned for its acoustics. The broad Venetian staircase, that
connects the ground floor to the chamber music hall and large auditorium, is another noteworthy
feature. The new Finnish National Opera House of Helsinki, which opened in November 1993, is located
beyond a lovely park to the north of the hall. The Helsinki Olympic stadium is located to the
north of Finlandia Hall. It was constructed in 1938 and has a 72 meter high tower, with
a stunning perspective of the city. The Summer Olympics were given to Finland before
World War II. The Olympics, which were postponed due to the fighting, were finally staged in
Helsinki in 1952. The Finnish Sport Museum is located inside the stadium, and a statue
of the legendary Finnish Olympic runner Paavo Nurmi stands in front of the museum's
entrance. The swimming stadium is to the east, while the ice stadium is to the north.
The Municipal Park, a sea of blooms in the summer and the ideal location for a picnic,
is located in front of the swimming stadium. In the summer, the swimming stadium welcomes
guests and offers first-rate facilities. The Korkeasaari Zoo, one of the oldest in the world
and renowned for its remarkable breeding programs for endangered species, was established in the
1880s. They have had particular success producing big cats like the Siberian tigers as well as
snow leopards. The surroundings, like those in any good zoo, have been created to be as similar
to natural ecosystems as possible, and nearly 1000 plant species flourish here to replicate
the natural habitats of the 150 various animal species. The zoo is open all year and going to
the tropical houses in the winter is one of the most popular things to do in Helsinki. From May
until the end of September, you can use a ferry to reach the zoo, which is located on an island. You
can travel here by bus the remainder of the year. One of the most well-known outdoor markets
in northern Europe is the Helsinki Market Square, which is the major paved square in
the heart of Helsinki. It is surrounded by vendors selling Finnish cuisine, flowers and
tourist goods, and borders the Baltic Sea at the eastern end of the Esplanadi. Even fishing
boats lined up in the water frequently provide fresh seafood for sale. Market stalls are
covered by tents in the winter and there is a year-round market hall with more sellers.
However, visitors should watch their food carefully, as the market's big and opportunistic
seagulls will snatch it from unaware customers. Helsinki's Rock Church is located in the Hietaniemi region to the north. The church's underground interior, created by Timo and Tuomo
Suomalainen in the late 1960s, was physically carved out of and erected into the old solid rock of the
Helsinki peninsula. The glass dome allows beautiful natural light to flood the inside of the cathedral.
It has a shallow circular copper and glass dome, that is 13 meters high and supported by concrete
ribs. The church's outstanding acoustics, produced by the interior's rough, unfinished rock surfaces, allow
it to serve as a concert venue. There are guided tours offered, and if you go in the summer, be sure
to stop by the on-site cafe for a distinctive dining experience. It is odd that the
structure regarded as one of Finland's icons of modern architecture, was created by the American
architect Stephen Holl, in a country known for its avant-garde national architects. The curved facade
continues inside, creating exhibit areas that are especially suitable for showcasing modern art. The
museum houses exhibits of finish art created after 1960, as well as a theater for experimental music,
dance and theater. Also on the property are a cafe and a store. A public or private guided tour of
the museum is another option for visitors, and these tours contain details about the artwork,
the artists and the structure of the museum. If you loved this video, hit the
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