Helsinki is the capital of any country. Open the left menu in helsinki. Helsinki railway station

The capital of Finland cannot boast of pompous lush architecture, a large number of historical sights and some particularly outstanding cultural heritage... However, Helsinki is a distinctive, atmospheric city and definitely has a certain charm.

City officials welcome modern architectural projects... Thanks to this, tourists can admire the unusual Temppeliaukio Church and Kamppi Chapel of Silence. Embankments clad in granite Finnish capital turn into discreet and majestic panoramas Baltic Sea where cruise ships and ferries sway on the waters.

Helsinki is a solid, solid and prosperous city. There are no enchanting Gothic cathedrals and castles, but there is incomparable Kiasma, strict northern nature and the triumph of common sense.

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What to see and where to go in Helsinki?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

1. Cathedral and Senate Square

Senate Square is one of three central squares the Finnish capital. Attractions and main attractions are concentrated around it. tourist routes... The place is decorated with the architectural ensemble of the Cathedral, which was erected in the first half of the 19th century after the proclamation of Helsinki as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland. Inside the cathedral there is a monument to the founder of the Reformation - M. Luther.

2. Monument to Sibelius

Monument dedicated to the famous and revered Finnish composer Jan Sibelius. Several streets, a music academy, and a city park are also named in honor of this outstanding historical figure. The monument was erected in 1967 according to the project of E. Hiltunen. This is an abstract composition, which is a pile of metal pipes and a bas-relief of the composer located at the foot.

3. Havis Amanda

City fountain, one of the symbols of the Finnish capital. The project was developed by the sculptor V. Vallgren at the beginning of the 20th century. In the middle of the sculptural group there is a statue of a woman - "sea nymph", on the sides there are fabulous sea lions. It's hard to believe, but before the installation of the monument, there were heated discussions for more than two years about the decency of installing a nude figure in the city center.

4. Fortress Sveaborg

A sea fort located on rocky islands near Helsinki. From the city center, you can quickly get there by ferry. Sveaborg is a Swedish name, the Finns call the fortress Suomenlinna. The building was erected in the middle of the 18th century at a time when Finland was part of Sweden. The fortress was the base for the Swedish fleet and protected the approaches to Helsinki.

5. Temppeliaukio Church

An original temple located in a natural rock. The church is considered one of the most striking landmarks in Helsinki. The unusual architecture creates a stunning acoustic effect in the church hall. The progressive design idea belongs to the Suomalainen brothers. The temple was built in the 70s. XX century and quickly gained fame and popularity. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Temppeliaukio Church every year.

6. Assumption Cathedral

An Orthodox church built according to the project of A.M. Gornostaeva in the middle of the 19th century. The architectural style of the cathedral is a mixture of Byzantine style and the traditions of Russian temple architecture. In 1872 he was given the status of a cathedral. On the this moment The Assumption Cathedral in Helsinki is the largest Orthodox church in Western and Northern Europe.

7. Church of Kallio

The granite bulk of the Kallio Church is often called a striking creation of the so-called "Finnish" Art Nouveau or "national romanticism". This rather original structure appeared in 1912 and soon became the main attraction of the entire Kallio area. It is believed that the architect L. Sonck, when designing the building, took as a model the description of the Old Testament temple of Solomon (including its impressive size).

8. Church of St. John

Lutheran temple late XIX century, the grandiose creation of the Swedish architect A. Melander. It was built on the place where the pagan holiday of Ivan Kupala was always celebrated. The church is very impressive in size - at the same time it can accommodate 2,600 people. The building was built in the "reference" neo-Gothic style, the interior space is decorated with wooden decor, which was created by the best Finnish craftsmen.

9. Kamppi Chapel of Silence

The modern building, erected in 2012 by M. Summanen, N. Sirol and K. Lintula, is an interesting and striking example of the latest architecture in Helsinki. The chapel is not a temple in the usual sense, services are not held here, but on its territory you can get psychological help or just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city space.

10. National Museum of Finland

Museum of the History of Finland, where you can trace the development of the land of Suomi (as the Finns call their state) from ancient times to the modern period. The museum exhibits are quite extensive - from clay shards to the thrones of rulers, from medieval weapons to the technical achievements of Nokia. The museum was opened to visitors in 1916.

11. Museum of Design

The museum exhibits showcase the achievements of Finnish applied arts. It often hosts exhibitions, international events, demonstrations of fashion collections of young designers. The museum was founded in 1873 as a workshop for teaching the applied arts. Now this place is considered one of the best modern creative venues in Europe.

12. Museum of Natural History

One of the three largest national museums in Finland. The exhibition on natural history and evolution is spread over four floors. Among the most valuable artifacts are fossil exhibits that are more than a thousand years old. The collection is divided into four parts: "History of Life", "Nature of Finland", "History of Bones", "Nature of the World".

13. Science Museum "Eureka"

The museum is located in the city of Vantaa near the Finnish capital. It is an interactive game, educational and Entertainment Center where visitors of all ages can experiment, explore the nature of physical phenomena and just have a good time. In museum "laboratories" under the guidance of specialists, more complex experiments can be carried out.

14. Ateneum Art Museum

Picture gallery, which houses a rich collection of works of art. A special place is given to the canvases of Finnish artists - representatives of the period of the Golden Age in national art... There are also works by recognized world classics: Van Gogh, P. Gauguin, Modigliani, Degas, F. Goya, Cezanne and others. The collection contains a large number of paintings by Russian artists: Levitan, Shishkin, Repin, Polenov.

15. Kiasma

A grandiose museum of modern art housed in a monumental building of modern architecture. The museum specializes in collecting works by Finnish craftsmen and artists from neighboring countries. Often, many works are created on the order of Kiasma. Now the collection of the museum has about 9 thousand exhibits, but the funds are constantly replenished and the exposition is growing.

16. Seurasaari - open air museum

The museum is located on the island of the same name to the west of Helsinki. There are similar expositions in many European countries, they are designed to acquaint tourists with the traditional way of life and the life of the local population. Wooden dwellings can be seen in Seurasaari villagers, Finnish saunas, outbuildings, mills, religious buildings brought from all over the country.

17. Market square

The square was formed at the beginning of the 19th century. Since then, it has been home to a market popular with Helsinki visitors and locals. On the square you can buy souvenirs, fresh food, excellent fish, and also have a delicious lunch. From here, ferries leave for Suomenlinna. An obelisk in honor of the Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna has been erected on the square.

18. Old covered market

Shopping arcade on the shores of the South Bay, located in an elegant brick building from the 19th century. The market offers a large selection of meat, fish, seafood, bread, and a variety of pastries. There is also a local delicacy and sushi shop - restaurant. The old covered market is a fairly atmospheric place with carved wooden counters, small shops and friendly vendors.

19. Train station Helsinki

The relatively small building of the capital's railway station is an architectural monument of the early XX century. It was erected by the architect E. Saarinen. The Art Nouveau facade is decorated with figures of stone giants, created by E. Vikström. Numerous commuter trains and trains long distance to various European countries and to Russia.

20. Waterpark Serena

A water park in the suburbs of Helsinki, which is open to the public all year round. Quite a few slides are located in the open air, and you can often see a picture of children frolicking in the water during the cool Finnish summer at a temperature of only + 19 ° C. When buying an All Inclusive ticket, you can visit all attractions, a bar and a restaurant (alcohol for a fee).

21. Sea Life Maritime Center

Oceanarium located in the northern part of the Finnish capital. Sea Life aquariums offer a wide variety of marine life: rays, sharks, corals, jellyfish, seahorses, exotic tropical fish, inhabitants of the harsh northern seas. On the territory of the aquarium, group excursions are conducted in Finnish, Swedish and English... The guide also contains information in Russian.

22. Linnanmaki

An amusement park and attractions, quite popular with tourists and locals. Up to a million visitors come to Linnanmäki every year. The carousels and amusement parks are manufactured in leading European countries and meet the latest safety requirements. There are several free rides for children in the park.

23. Korkeasaari Zoo

The zoo is located on the island of the same name. It was founded in 1889 by A. Fabricius. The first inhabitants of the zoo were bears. Snow leopards live on the territory of Korkeasaari, which nowadays are on the verge of extinction. In addition to the magnificent northern animals, in the zoo you can admire reptiles, tropical birds, and representatives of exotic fauna.

24. Botanical Garden

The garden is located near the central part of Helsinki. On the territory of the park there are rose gardens, greenhouses and a system of artificial ponds. In summer, the garden turns into a magnificent blooming and fragrant canvas. On its territory, thematic events, all kinds of exhibitions, contests, actions in protection of nature are regularly held.

25. Esplanade Park

City park, Finnish "Champs Elysees" and one of the favorite walking places for locals and visitors to Helsinki. Here you can have a great rest in between visiting the many shops and attractions of the Finnish capital. In the eastern part of the Esplanade, there is a small concert area, where progressive musical groups perform in the summer.

Helsinki

Helsinki, together with the satellite cities of Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen, forms a metropolitan region with a population of over one million. The population of Greater Helsinki, which includes 12 communes, exceeds 1,300,000.

Helsinki is the center of business, education, culture and science in Finland. There are 8 universities and 6 technology parks in Greater Helsinki. 70% of foreign companies operating in Finland are located in the metropolitan area. Rural immigration makes Helsinki one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Europe.

The main international air hub in Finland is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, located 20 kilometers from the center of the capital and providing direct flights around the world. The journey from Helsinki to Tallinn takes 1.5 hours by sea and 18 minutes by helicopter. The other two major cities, Tampere and Turku, can be reached in 1.5-2 hours by train and 1.5-2.5 hours by car.

In early 2009, Helsinki began to consider a possible annexation to the capital, Vantaa. On March 30, 2009, Vantaa City Council agreed to carry out a review of the Helsinki project for possible unification. The council stressed that the review does not provide for the termination of the city's existence.

Story

Swedish rule

Founded by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa in 1550. According to his decree, several hundred residents of the city of Porvoo settled in the territory of the present urban area of ​​Arabia. June 12, the day of signing the decree, is considered the city's birthday.

However, it turned out that the location was unsuccessful - the harbor was too shallow, and as a result, the city was moved to the area of ​​the present Kauppatori (Market Square).

Until the middle of the 18th century, Helsinki remained a small, all-wooden city; plague epidemics often broke out here.

In 1748, on the islands near Helsinki, the Swedes began the construction of the Sveaborg fortress (Finn. Suomenlinna), designed to protect the city from the sea. As a result, the city began to grow; the first stone houses appear. However, Turku (Abo) remained the capital of Swedish Finland.

The city was captured by Russian troops four times - twice during the Great Northern War, in May and July 1713; August 24, 1742, during the Russian-Swedish war of 1741-1743; February 18, 1808, during the Russian-Swedish war of 1808-1809.

Russian rule

In 1809, according to the Friedrichsgam Peace Treaty, Finland joined Russia. Three years later, on April 12, 1812, Alexander I declared provincial Helsingfors the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland. After that, a reconstruction committee was established, headed by military engineer Johan Albrecht Ehrenström (en: Johan Albrecht Ehrenström). He was supposed to rebuild the ceremonial capital of the Grand Duchy. In 1816, the German architect Karl Ludwig Engel, who worked in Russia, was invited to the position of the architect of the Finnish capital. The development of the project was followed by Emperor Alexander I and his brother Nicholas, hence the noticeable similarity of the central parts of Helsinki and St. Petersburg. From that time on, a rapid, organized building of the city began.

In the 1820s, Karl Ludwig Engel created a project for the development of the central part of the city. As a result of its implementation, there appeared, for example, the neoclassical ensemble Senaatintori (Senate Square) with a magnificent cathedral. The university was moved from Turku to Helsinki.

During the Crimean War, the city was shelled by the Anglo-French squadron, which, however, did not lead to significant destruction.

In the 1860s, the first Finnish Railway connected the city with Riihimäki and Tampere. Industry developed rapidly. In 1870, the railway connected Helsinki with St. Petersburg.

Capital of independent Finland

After the proclamation of independence during the civil war in Finland, the city was occupied for some time by units of the Finnish Red Army, but as a result of the offensive of General Mannerheim from Vaasa, supported by German troops, the city came under the control of the bourgeois Finnish government.

After the end of the civil war, the city continued to develop dynamically. Its territory expanded significantly, new residential quarters grew. For example, Tapiola, a “garden city” (Finnish Tapiola, Swedish Hagalund; administratively subordinate to Espoo), has become widely known.

In 1952, the Summer Olympic Games were held.

In 2007, the city hosted the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Name

In Finnish, the city was officially called Helsinki since its foundation (1550); in Swedish it is still officially called Helsingfors. In all other languages, the name "Helsingfors" (in Russian - "Helsingfors") was used for a long time before Finland became independent (December 6, 1917). And this is not surprising: until the end of the 19th century, the city was absolutely dominated by the Swedish population, although the city's population in 1880 was only 43 thousand people.

Despite the formal subordination of the Russian Empire after 1809, the Swedish-Finnish nobility retained their power in Finland and for a long time preferred the Swedish language. In an effort to reduce dependence on Sweden, the Russian authorities stimulated the development of the Finnish language, and the intensive migration of rural Finns to the city quickly changed the demographic and linguistic balance in the city in favor of the Finns.

After 1917, the Finnish name of Helsinki began to be used. On the Soviet maps of the 20s - early 30s, in accordance with the then transfer of the foreign language [h], the spelling of Helsinki was encountered (the spelling of Helsinki is accepted in modern Ukrainian, where r is read [h]).

The Swedish-speaking minority in the capital remains to this day (6.2% of the city's population), and Swedish has the status of an official language on a par with Finnish.

Relief

The city is located in a rocky area. The historic city center is located on a peninsula with a heavily indented coastline... The elevation changes in the city are significant, and the rocks are a common part of the landscape. There are waterfalls on the rivers within the city.

Climate

The climate of Helsinki is temperate, transitional between continental and maritime. The winter is long and snowy, the summer is cool and does not go beyond the calendar. Spring and autumn are long and cool. Severe frosts are a rather rare occurrence; in summer, heat is almost never above 30 ° C. The maximum precipitation is observed in late summer and throughout the fall.

Population

In 2002, 305,196 people of working age lived in the city, of whom 277,967 were employed and 27,229 were unemployed, the unemployment rate was 8.9%.

Population (as of March 31, 2009) - 578,126 people. The proportion of the female population in Helsinki is 53.4%, which is higher than the average for Finland (51.1%). City population forecast: for 2020 - 589 604 people, for 2030 - 597 640 people.

Linguistic composition

For a long time, Helsinki developed as a predominantly Swedish-speaking city. In 1870, when Finland was part of the Russian Empire, the predominant official languages ​​in the city were: Swedish - 57%, Finnish - 25.9%, Russian - 12.1%; German (1.8%) and others (3.2%) were also used. By 1890, due to the beginning of the mass migration of Finnish peasants to the cities, the policy of the Russian authorities to maintain and develop the Finnish language and the partial assimilation of the Swedes, the ratio of languages ​​was as follows: 45.6% Swedish, 45.5% Finnish, 6% Russian and 2, 9% others.

Currently, two languages ​​are recognized as official in the city - Finnish and Swedish, while 86% of the city's population are Finnish-speaking, 6% are Swedish-speaking, about 4% consider Russian to be their native language, and another 4% - other languages. (See also Russians in Finland).

The newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet is published in Swedish, two Swedish-language radio stations broadcast - YLE Radio Vega Mellannyland (with regional programs) and YLE Radio X3M, in addition, radio programs are broadcast in Swedish on a local radio station (Finn lähiradio, Swedish närradio). 2 Swedish-language channels broadcast by terrestrial method - YLE FST5 (free, owned by YLE) and SVT World (paid, owned by Swedish public broadcaster SVT); other channels from Sweden are also available on cable networks.

Radio Sputnik broadcasts in Russian.

Economy

There is a stock exchange in Helsinki, founded in 1912.

Transport

Helsinki has international airports Helsinki-Vantaa, through which about 90% of flights in Finland and Helsinki-Malmi pass.

Currently, research is underway and work is underway to design an underwater railway tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn. The estimated length of the tunnel is 60-80 km. The construction of the tunnel will require from 1 billion to several billion euros. The approximate construction period is 10-15 years.

At the end of 2010, it is planned to launch new trains between St. Petersburg and Helsinki, which will reduce travel time between cities to 3.5 hours

Sea transport

Helsinki is major port from where international passenger traffic is carried out throughout the Baltic Sea. Ferry companies Tallink silja, Viking Line, Finnlines, Stella Lines (Ferry Julia) provide regular year-round departures to Tallinn, Stockholm, Rostock, Lubeck / Travemunde, St. Petersburg. Tourists arriving by ferry from Finland to St. Petersburg can stay on the territory of the Russian Federation without a visa for 72 hours.

Public transport

Helsinki is clearly divided into two parts - the historical western part and the more modern eastern part (Itä-Helsinki, Östra Helsingfors) - connected by a single metro line and an extensive road network.

Public transport is also represented by trams (in the center and adjacent parts of the city), buses, suburban trains and municipal ferry lines Kauppatori - Suomenlinna, Katajanokka - Suomenlinna and Hakaniemi - Suomenlinna. Public transport in the city is operated by the Helsinki City Transport Authority (Fin. HKL, Helsingin kaupungin liikennelaitos, Swedish HST, Helsingfors stads trafikverk).

CityBike

During the warmer months, there is a free public bike service in Helsinki - CityBike. There are 26 bike parking lots in the city center, where anyone can borrow a bike for a time on a 2 euro bail. CityBike cycling is allowed only within the central part of the city. In 2008, it was planned to expand the service in subsequent years, but in 2010 it was decided to suspend the program until 2012.

Education

Helsinki is home to the country's largest University of Helsinki, as well as a number of other higher education institutions with 64,128 students (of which 38,454 are at the university). Secondary education is provided by 190 schools, of which 22 are private. All data are for 2003.

Museums

• Helsinki City Museum. Has several branches, including two summer museum: Burger House and Power Plant Museum. They only open with the onset of the high tourist season. Admission to both museums is free.
• National Museum Finland
• Finnish National Gallery
• Ateneum Museum of Classical Art
• Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
• Sinebryukhov Gallery
• Suomenlinna fortress
• house-museum of Urho Kekkonen Tamminiemi
• mail museum

Cultural centers

The Korjaamo Cultural Factory (Töölönkatu 51 +358 504 072 467) is located near the center of Helsinki. Located in an old tram depot, the Korjaamo factory is a complex of galleries, theater and concert halls, a shop, café and bar - and of course a tram museum. After the opening of the second building - the Tram Garage (Vaunuhalli) in June 2008. Korjaamo has become the largest cultural center in Finland. Exhibition activities, mainly specialized in photography and video art, now take place in three galleries, two of which are located in the new Tram Garage. Every year, within the walls of Korjaamo Teatteri, the international STAGE festival is held, bringing together the best modern theaters from all over the world under its roof.

Major attractions

• Assumption Orthodox Cathedral in Helsinki.
• Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Nicholas (1852, architect K. L. Engel), the University, the Senate building and a monument to the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who expanded the rights of autonomous Finland and granted it a constitution in 1863.
• Assumption Cathedral (1868, architect A. M. Gornostaev), the cathedral of the Finnish Orthodox Church, the largest Orthodox church in Northern Europe.
• Fortress Suomenlinna (until 1918 - Sveaborg), founded in 1748.
• Korkeasaari Zoo is one of the northernmost and largest zoos in the world.
• Temppellaukio Church, carved into the rock, 1969.
• A music festival has been held in Helsinki for 5 years - Flow Festival
• Serena, the largest water park in Northern Europe

Today Helsinki is the most important city in Finland from any point of view. Judge for yourself - the capital of the state, the largest sea ​​port and a transport hub of the country, the center of education and science, one of the most successful places for doing business. In terms of per capita income, the Finnish capital is firmly among the top ten cities in the world. All these conditions attract thousands of new residents here every year, which makes the city of Helsinki perhaps the fastest growing in Europe. Broad prospects are opening up in the capital of Finland for young people - there are 8 prestigious universities in the city and great opportunities for further employment.

Helsinki climate

The climate of Helsinki is characterized as temperate, transitional between maritime and continental. Winter in the city is usually long and snowy, but severe frosts are rare. Summer is not hot and is close to the calendar one in duration, spring and autumn are long and cool.

Average temperature in Helsinki by months

Transport

Public transport in the city of Helsinki is quite widespread and is represented by trams, buses, metro and ferries. On sale there are single passes for 1,2 or 3 days, which allow you to use the services of any public transport, as well as to visit museums and attractions.

Trams in the city center are the most convenient for movement - they run every day at any time of the year exactly according to the schedule indicated at the stops. By the way, Helsinki is the only city Finland, which uses trams.

To reach the most popular islands of Suomenlinna and Korkeasaari, you can take a ferry from the Market Square.

The metro in Helsinki is represented by one line, consisting of 17 stations, and is used mainly for movement in the eastern and central parts of the city.

Russians can get to Helsinki using regular trains from St. Petersburg and Moscow.

What to see in Helsinki

Perhaps the most visited place by tourists in Helsinki is Senate Square, main square cities. Its center is snow-white Cathedral, also known as St. Nicholas Cathedral (in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker). V architectural ensemble Senate Square also includes the Senate Building, the University of Helsinki and the monument to Emperor Alexander II, famous for his patronage of Finland.

The largest Orthodox church in Northern Europe is located in Helsinki - the Assumption Cathedral, built of red brick and decorated with golden domes.

Very popular with tourists old fortress Suomenlinna, or Sveaborg, is a defensive structure on eight islands that has long served as a reliable defense of the state. Today, there are several interesting museums on the territory of the fortress, and a walk through the fortress itself will leave a lot of impressions.

Nature lovers should definitely visit the Korkeasaari Zoo, located on the island of the same name. This is one of the largest and at the same time one of the most northern zoos in the world, it contains many representatives of the rarest animal species, including those living in the Far North.

One of the most unique architectural landmarks in Helsinki is the Temppellaukio Church, carved into the rock, the interior of which is formed by a virtually untreated granite surface. This makes the church famous for its excellent acoustics and is often used as a concert hall.

Helsinki Is the capital of Finland. The city is considered the largest in the country. Helsinki is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Vantaa River, which flows into the Baltic. For a long time, the city had a different name in Swedish - Helsinfors.

Story

The city was founded in 1550 by the first Swedish king, Gustav Vasa. For almost two hundred years, the town did not develop, it looked more like a large village, where locals engaged in fishing. The city was constantly suffering from outbreaks of plague.

In 1748, the first fortress built by the Swedes, Sveaborg, appeared in the city. After that, the city began to grow, the first stone houses appeared in it. we remind you that at that time Finland was not an independent state, but was a large Swedish province. Therefore, the administrative center of the province of Finland was the city of Turku (Swedish name - Abo).

Russian troops captured Helsinki four times during the Northern War with Sweden, and two subsequent Russian-Swedish wars.

After the last Swedish war, all of Finland became part of the Russian Empire and remains part of it until the end of 1917. Helsinki has developed and grown continuously over the years. After joining Russia, the capital of Finland was moved from Turku to Helsinki.

In 1870 a railway was built in the city. She connected Helsinki with St. Petersburg. After the appearance of the railway, the city's economic growth only intensified.

During the First World War, the city was occupied by the imperial troops of Germany. Thanks to them, units of the Red Army were driven out of the city and Finland soon gained independence.

In 1939, the aggressive military circles of Finland, led by Marshal Mannerheim, approached the German fascists. Finland became an ally of Nazi Germany and began to directly threaten the USSR with a military attack. The world was very fragile, and in the end the Soviet-Finnish war broke out, which led to the fact that Finland lost part of its lands on the Karelian Isthmus, including Vyborg. The border was moved away from Leningrad by almost 100 km to the west. Helsinki was subjected to continuous bombing from the USSR.

However, with the beginning of the war of fascist Germany against the USSR, Finland joined the Germans and also aboutdeclared war. The bombing of the city by Soviet aviation continued until the fall of 1944, when Finland admitted defeat.

After the war, the city was rebuilt and turned into one of the most modern cities in Northern Europe.

Map

Museums

By tradition, we begin our acquaintance with the city with its museums.

Helsinki City Museum Is a museum of the history of the Finnish capital. The exhibition halls showcase all the historical stages of the development of Helsinki, from its inception to modern days... The museum has several departments, which can rightfully be considered separate museums, but organizationally they are part of one large historical museum. The main building houses the central exhibition on the history of the city.

In the House of the Finnish Burger, the home furnishings of a well-to-do Finn have been recreated.

Another branch of the Historical Museum is School museum located at a different address in Helsinki. The historical Finnish school of the nineteenth century has been recreated here.

Finnish Tram Museum - located in the center of Helsinki. Almost all brands of trams are collected here, from the first horse tram to the ultramodern ones.

The next major museum in the Finnish capital is National Museum of Finland ... The museum was established a hundred years ago, in 1910, and introduces visitors to the rich history of Finland, from the Swedish period to the modern one.

Finnish National Gallery - subdivided into three separate museums: the Art Museum, the Khiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sinebryukhov Art Museum. Let's take a look at each of these museums in order.

Art Museum Is the largest museum in Finland with the largest collection of paintings by medieval European Renaissance artists. The museum was founded in 1921. It was founded by the Russian owner of one of the Finnish brewing companies Nikolai Sinebryukhov.

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma - this museum contains about 4000 exhibits of modern Finnish art. It is also structurally part of the National Museum of Finland.

Athenaeum Museum Is another art museum in Helsinki, considered the central one in the city. There are more than 20,000 thousand paintings, sculptures that have been collected for 250 years - since 1750.

Another interesting museum in the capital of Finland is mail museum... Here you can find samples of postcards from European countries, uniforms of postmen in Finland and other countries, various mailboxes. This is a very interesting museum!

Finnish Maritime Museum (Suomen merimuseo) - this museum tells the story of Finland's maritime glory, especially during the years when it was part of Sweden. There are models of sailing ships and boats.

War Museum in Helsinki Is the central museum of the Finnish Armed Forces. The museum contains expositions dedicated to the history of military affairs in Finland. A large area is occupied by expositions dedicated to the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940.

House of Marshal Mannerheim in Helsinki and- the whole home environment is recreated here.the replaced Finnish military leader of 1939-1940 - at the time when he was the commander-in-chief of the Finnish armed forces.

sights

It's time to take a walk through the streets and squares of Helsinki!

Senate square - it business card cities! Nicholas Cathedral stands on the square. Another monument adorns the square - the monument to the Russian emperor Alexander I. Appointments and business meetings are scheduled on Senate Square. as well as…. a huge number of pigeons constantly flock here, to the delight of local pigeon lovers who come here to feed them.

Suomenlinna (" Finnish fortress») or Sveaborg ("Swedish region") - preserved fortress bastions. Today they are located within the city on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

The fortress is built on 7 rocky islands called "Wolf Skerries". These islands are connected by bridges. The fortress was taken by storm in 1808 by Russian troops. After these events, Finland became an integral part of the Russian Empire.

ZooKorkeasaari- is considered one of the oldest and northern zoos in the world. In the zoo itself, there are about 200 species of various animals. There is a ferry to the zoo in summer from the city center.

Helsinki market square Is the busiest place in the Finnish capital. Many city bus and tram routes start from here and go to various outskirts of the city.

And on this square is the next attraction - Presidential palace ... This is the working residence of the Finnish president. The palace was built about 200 years ago - in 1820 for one of the wealthy merchants. at the time when Finland was part of the Russian Empire, one of the residences of the Russian emperors was located here.

Aleksanterinkatu - the central historical street of the city. In Russian it is called Aleksandrovskaya. The most expensive restaurants, shops, cafes and nightclubs of the city are concentrated here. This street is crowded even at night.

Olympic stadium in Helsinki - the Summer Olympic Games were held here in 1952. Football matches of the Finnish national team are held here andcapital football club HIK.

Religious buildings

Helsinki is considered a major Lutheran religious center. There are many churches in the city. Let's list the most famous of the temples:

Lutheran Cathedral of St. Nicholas;

Assumption Cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Finland;

Temppeliaukio Church, this temple is carved into the rock;

Kallio Lutheran Church;

German church;

church of st. Trinity, Orthodox;

Töölö Church - Lutheran;

Karuna Church is Lutheran.

Monuments

Monuments also give one of the northern European capitals a solid look:

a monument to the Russian emperor Alexander I;

a monument to the Finnish poet Runeberg;

a monument to the sea nymph Havis Amanda;

monument to Gustav Mannerheim;

a monument to the athlete Paavo Nurmi;

a monument to the Finnish composer Jan Sibelius;

a monument to three blacksmiths;

a monument to President Paasikivi;

a monument to the Finnish playwright Alexis Kiwi;

monument to Finnish banker Johan Wilhelm Snellman.

Railway stations

There is one railway station in Helsinki. By train from the Finnish capital you can go to St. Petersburg, Moscow, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen.

Parks

We will walk through the parks of the Finnish capital. There are a lot of them.

Esplanade Park- most old park Helsinki and is located in the very center of the city. The main tourist routes in Helsinki converge here.This park is in no way inferior in the number of trees and beauty Champs Elysees in Paris! A jazz orchestra always plays here on weekends. Residents of the Finnish capital and guests of the city always like to walk here.

Kaivopuisto Park - located in the south of the city. Once the park was considered real resort area because it goes straight to the Gulf of Finland. Another attraction is located in the park itself - the botanical garden of the University of Helsinki. Here you can have a good rest - in the park there is a beautiful football field, volleyball courts and tennis courts.

Markets

We finish our acquaintance with the city by visiting the markets of the city.

Helsinki Old Market Hall - lives up to its name. The highest quality products are traded here. LargeIn the second part of the market there are rows where fish are sold. As in the capitals of other Scandinavian countries, here you can buy fresh almost any sea fish caught in the Baltic Sea!

Well, and, according to tradition, let's take a look at the Finnish "flea market" - the central flea market of Hietalahti. This is the largest flea market in Helsinki. They sell old coins, clothes, shoes, furniture.

Climate

No matter how strange it may seem, the issue of bathing in the Finnish capital is no more acute than in Athens. On a hot July day, the Gulf of Finland in the Helsinki region can warm up to 22-23 degrees! So…. they swim here in the Baltic Sea, and with great pleasure! The only difference from southern seas- very short swimming season - two months. They swim in the Gulf of Finland in July and August.

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a city located on the quiet shores of the Baltic Sea. The proximity to St. Petersburg and fairly close historical ties with Russia make travel to this city fast, with minimal customs formalities. The pearl of Finland is one of the most beautiful capitals in Northern Europe, rich in architectural monuments, unique culture, safety and well-developed tourist infrastructure. Despite its northern location, Helsinki can offer a huge range of entertainment at any time of the year. It is not for nothing that Finland is on the list of leaders in terms of the best standard of living - the pleasure of visiting Helsinki cannot be compared with any other travel.

Geography

The Finnish capital is located in the southern part of the country on sea ​​coast and occupies many islands and peninsulas. The area of ​​Helsinki itself is 716 square kilometers with a population of just over 600 thousand people - more than half of the area is occupied by the sea area. Helsinki is the main city of the metropolitan area, which includes three satellite cities Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen - the population of the entire region is more than 1 million people and is the largest inhabited union in Finland. Despite its location, Helsinki is an attractive city with many green spaces, and rocky and mountainous forms are a familiar landscape of the Finnish capital. The uniqueness of the location ensured the protection of the city from the mainland and the sea, and also led to the development different types public transport - land and sea. Administratively, Helsinki is divided into eight districts, consisting of 59 districts, most of which have developed both historically and geographically - for example, small islands, plains or residential areas. Helsinki is located in a time zone that differs from Moscow time by one hour downward - on a par with Cairo, Tallinn, Kiev and Minsk.

Climate

Weather conditions in Helsinki average between continental and maritime climates, and seasons are pronounced in calendar time. Winters are quite long and cold, with snowfalls and a constantly low average temperature of about -7-10 ° C. Sharp decreases in the thermometer are not common. Spring and autumn are characterized by temperature changes from above zero to below zero, with frosts and rains. The proximity of the sea also ensures several foggy periods. Summer in Helsinki lasts from June to the end of August with high temperatures around + 20 ° С and the sea warmed up to + 17 ° С. Hot days last for a long time and there is very little rainfall - this is enough for locals and tourists to relax on the city's numerous beaches. The uniqueness of Helsinki lies in the fact that you can go to the Finnish capital at any time, although July is considered the most attractive - as the warmest and most pleasant month in terms of the weather. Also in the summer the city has a season of "white nights", as it is located at the same latitude as St. Petersburg. In spring and autumn, travelers head to Helsinki to get the most out of the changing seasons of the year, when nature changes and the appearance of the city takes on an unforgettable view. Winter in the Finnish capital gives a real New Year and Christmas mood, as everything is covered with snow, and the city itself shines with thousands of colored lights. In addition, walks in the suburbs with extensive woodlands and rocky coastline are popular in winter.

Story

The territory of modern Finland was the property of the Swedish crown for a long time, until the moment of its transfer to the Russian Empire. Helsinki was founded on June 12, 1550 under the name Helsingfors - this name is still used in official mention in the Swedish-speaking community in Finland. The Arabia urban area is the oldest part of Helsinki, from where the city began. It was simple for a long time provincial town built mostly of wood. Only in 1748, when the construction of the Sveaborg defensive fortress began, Helsingfors began to acquire stone buildings, but it still remained an average village, since Abo was the capital of Finland.

The proximity to the borders of Russia led to the fact that the city took part in all Russian-Swedish conflicts as a stronghold for the armies. In 1809, at the end of the last war with Sweden, Finland completely ceded to the Russian Empire on the basis of a fairly broad autonomy, which looked more like a personal union. The rulers of Russia did a lot to improve the state of the new Principality of Finland, and therefore are highly revered in this country. Alexander the First moved the capital of Finland to Helsingfors and sent to the city one of the most famous architects, Karl Engel, who built the most famous architectural monuments - Presidential palace, Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Orthodox churches and the entire Senate Square. His students subsequently continued to expand the city in the Russian Empire style, in the image and likeness of St. Petersburg. In 1860 the first Finnish railway appeared, and in 1870 it connected Helsinki and St. Petersburg. The Russian government has done a lot to introduce and spread the Finnish language and support national interests - as opposed to the country's Swedish roots. Therefore, in Helsinki, there are monuments dedicated to the emperors and empresses of Russia, as well as prominent figures of Finnish origin. At one time even Lenin was honored as a liberator, since it was the October Revolution that led to the complete independence of Finland from Russia.

After gaining independence in 1917, the country began to develop independently, and Helsinki became the capital of the state, where the main administrative centers are concentrated. The Second World War did not greatly affect Finland, as she was more inclined towards neutrality during the conflict and was able to maintain her usual way of life. The post-war period was marked by the intensive growth of Helsinki and the introduction of the latest methods of construction and organization of life. In 1952, the city hosted the 15th Olympic Games. Modern Helsinki is one of the safest and most prosperous cities in the world, both in terms of the level of protection of the population and tourists, and the provision of citizens. In 2007, Helsinki was the center of the Eurovision Song Contest, and in addition, various cultural, political and industrial events are constantly taking place in the city.

Attractions Helsinki

• Senate Square and the Cathedral are the architectural value and landmark of Helsinki. The square is surrounded by the rarest neoclassical architectural complex. On its territory is the Cathedral, which is more than 150 years old. The cathedral was built in 1852, designed by K. L. Engel. The figures of the apostles are located on the roof of the cathedral, and from the steps there is a wonderful view of the South Harbor.
• A very interesting building on Temppeliaukio Square is a church in the rock. The church was erected in 1969, it was carved into the stone massif. Above, the church is decorated with a glass dome, which is supported by copper plates. The church is famous for its excellent acoustics, for this reason, various concerts are often held here, including organ music.
• The largest sea fortress in the world is the Soumenlinna fortress. It is located on an island near the entrance to the southern port. The fortress is a unique military structure, one of the most popular attractions in Finland and an urban area of ​​the city.

• It is also worth paying attention to the Serena water park, especially if you are relaxing with children or just love water adventures. This is the largest complex in Northern Europe, which operates around the clock. Here you can spend the whole day enjoying the unique sensations in the indoor and outdoor pools.
• Helsinki is famous for its large number of museums. For example, the Natural Science Museum, which will acquaint you with the nature of the city, plunge you into the depths of the Baltic, a collection of bone remains of majestic dinosaurs.
• The fortress-museum keeps the old military traditions. The Naval Academy is located on Maly Black Island to this day. The fortress was included in the UNESCO list of world cultural monuments.
• Another attraction in Helsinki is the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection is focused on modern trends in art. The museum displays works of Finnish and international (Russian, North European and Baltic) art.
• Also in Helsinki there is a wonderful Olympic stadium. It was built specifically for the 1940 Olympic Games, but due to the World War, the games were postponed for 12 years and were only held here in 1952. At present, the Sports Museum is located on the territory of the stadium. In addition to him, there is another attraction on the territory of the stadium - a 72-meter observation tower, thanks to which there is an opportunity to admire the delightful surroundings of the capital from a bird's-eye view.

Events and festivals

The Finns love and know how to relax, despite all their seriousness and strict adherence to the rules. Helsinki residents and tourists can spend several fun days every year on one of the city's holidays. The Finnish capital is the center of not only nationwide celebrations, but also has its own unique festivals to visit:

• Winter is the traditional time for Christmas and new year holidays, which acquire amazing and unusual features in the northern city. Christmas weeks are held throughout the city with various fairs, concerts, processions and other entertainment events starting from December 2nd. Notable dates are also Saint Lucia's Day (13 December) and the Tuomos fair on Senate Square spent almost the entire month. In January, Helsinki turns into a documentary film center with the Doc Point festival, and in February, modern music with the Musica Nova event.
• Spring is famous for several major celebrations that coincide with major dates. Easter is in great honor, in honor of which fairs, carnivals and processions are organized. Helsinki also celebrates May 1st, called Vappu, with various entertainment events. Mother's Day is held on the second Sunday in May, when all women are honored with various gifts, and in stores there are often large discounts on goods.
• Summer is also not the most eventful season, but one of the most memorable and vibrant. On June 12, Helsinki celebrates the founding of the city with large-scale festivities, concerts, open-air exhibitions and other fun. On June 4, the nationwide Day of the Defense Forces is held, which traditionally includes a military parade. In summer, Ivan Kupala Day (Midsummer's Day), the Day of the Finnish Flag, is celebrated, and the Sea Festival is held. But the most famous event in Helsinki in early July is the largest rock festival Tuska Open Air, which brings together performers and fans from all over the world. At the end of July, a beer festival is held, and in August, there are numerous musical and theatrical events dedicated to the styles of ethno, folk, jazz, modern and others.
• Autumn is very rich in various events that have a different direction - from the Finnish Fashion Week (in early September) to huge exhibitions dedicated to hockey and winter sports. The most noteworthy is the celebration of the Salaki Day - in honor of the Baltic herring and other seafood. At this time, a large fair is held at Trade area, in which many folk masters take part. At the end of October, Sauna Day is held in the city - when all city institutions open their doors to those who wish. St. Andrew's Day is celebrated on November 30, when the first New Year trees are set up in Helsinki, and the holiday is considered the starting point for Christmas markets.

Restaurants and cafes

As the European capital, Helsinki has a large selection of various catering establishments - from ultra modern to small national restaurants. In the city you can taste dishes of all cuisines of the world, but locals prefer authentic and familiar dishes typical for the Finnish capital. The peculiarity of national restaurants and cafes in Helsinki is that they prepare dishes from seasonal organic products - that is, no one will offer tourists strawberries in October. In addition, Finnish cuisine is renowned for its original game dishes, served for over 150 years at the Kappeli Restaurant; simple dishes of herring, red fish or sausages and cabbage - at the Sunday fairs in Kauppatori Square; craft breweries and stylish art restaurants in the Design District; gourmet signature dishes at Michelin-starred restaurants - Demo, Luomo, as well as Postres, Olo. Many small establishments and cafes offer business lunches in a buffet format, and the city has a huge number of small coffee shops with pastries - Finns are among the leading coffee-consuming nations in Europe.

The visiting card of Helsinki is salmon, whitefish, trout, which are served in almost all restaurants and cafes with a variety of side dishes and additives. Also, the Finns are very fond of game and hot dishes, in particular soups, which in national cuisine a large number of. You should definitely try at least some of the local breads and the famous pastries with cloudberry jam. When visiting Helsinki, it is worth remembering that Finns drink alcohol and quite a lot - very few people can drink the representatives of this nation. Local drinks are strong, and therefore you need to be careful about local alcoholic beverages.

Shopping

A famous shopping destination in Helsinki, Aleksanterinkatu Street is home to major international brands as well as local designers offering a variety of stylish products. One of the most popular brands is Marimekko, which should be a must-have for any traveler to Finland. In the shops on the Market Square, Esplanade Boulevard, Mannerheim Street, you can buy anything you want - from high-quality furniture to the latest clothing collections, but do not forget about the traditional souvenirs from Helsinki:

• products from wool and leather;
• bone figures;
• Hunter knives;
• famous Moomins - in the form of toys, figurines, clothes, accessories;
• wooden crafts - mugs, kitchen utensils, coasters, figurines;
• sauna accessories - from hats and towels to buckets and aromatic oils;
• stone, copper, porcelain and glass products - brands Iittala, Hackman, Arabia, handicrafts;
• cloudberry jam;
• pastries and bread;
• famous alcoholic drinks - vodka Finlandia, Koskenkorva; liqueurs Minttu, Lapponia;
• smoked, salted fish, canned food, products from the annual fish fair;
• Fazer chocolate;
• natural coffee of the highest quality.

How to get to Helsinki?

Finland's proximity to Russia solves many transport problems and makes travel easier, as it provides a variety of travel options. There are regular trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Helsinki, arriving at the central station, which is an architectural monument of the nineteenth century. There is also a regular bus service - the central bus station is located in the center of Helsinki, close to the main transport arteries of the city. Vantaa Airport is located just 17 kilometers from the center of the Finnish capital and has excellent public transport links to the city. Finnish and Russian airlines carry out regular flights from the largest cities in Russia. Helsinki can be reached by sea - there is a ferry service with St. Petersburg. Travel time does not pass much, but upon arrival you can enjoy the panorama of Helsinki, opening from the Gulf of Finland. The port is also located in the city center and allows you to quickly reach the most interesting places. You can also go to Helsinki with your own car, since the distance from St. Petersburg is only about 400 kilometers. Simplified customs control and immigration laws will allow you to quickly get to the Finnish capital.

Transport

In terms of traffic intensity and traffic congestion, Helsinki occupies one of the last places in Europe - the unhurried pace of life allows you to conveniently and comfortably use any type of public city transport without fear of getting stuck in traffic jams. The current Helsinki Card provides additional discounts on travel in all types of transport, except for taxis. Helsinki has convenient connections, both in the city center and when driving to more remote areas:

• metro - has only two lines and 17 stations - runs through the whole of Helsinki;
• bus service - connects all districts of the city with each other and is one of the most ramified;
• tram service - very developed species transport, allowing you to quickly get to different parts of Helsinki. Many routes lead through the historic center;
• sea ​​trams are a regular type of transport that runs along the bays and straits of the city, uniting islands and peninsulas;
• taxi is a widespread and rather expensive form of transport, which has its own nuances when ordering by phone or stopping on the street. The second option will make the trip a little cheaper, but it is still recommended to book a car in advance.

Car rental is represented by several dozen international and local companies offering cars of any class. With this choice, it is worth remembering that there are not so many parking spaces in the center, and there are different parking and payment rules on the streets - some on weekdays, and completely different on weekends. In Helsinki, you can rent bicycles, which are offered near all major hotels, at train stations, metro stations. The total length of equipped bike paths is more than 750 kilometers and will allow you to see all the sights and not spend extra money on public transport.

Residence

There are many hotels in the city, some of which have a generally accepted "star rating", and some of them are not marked with distinctions at all - but the level of service and service is quite high. In Helsinki, there are many expensive hotels of the international chains Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn, as well as small family hotels with a small number of rooms. Among tourists, affordable accommodation is popular, such as Hotel Anna, Hotel Sofia, Omena Hotel Helsinki Lonnrotinkatu. Many high-class hotels, for example Hotel Kamp, Scandic Grand Marina, have a very developed infrastructure - own beaches, sports and health-improving complexes. If you are looking for a holiday in a stately castle, then the four-star Glo Hotel Art is for you. Various apartments, hostels and rental apartments are no less popular, allowing you to plunge into the life of the Finnish capital and take care of your own meals. It should be remembered that in the most popular seasons, accommodation must be booked in advance - two to three months in advance, especially during the summer period and the Christmas holidays. All Right and Cheap Sleep youth hostels are the best in the city, as they provide a fairly wide range of services for affordable price, and located close to major attractions.

Connection

Mobile operators in Russia support roaming when traveling to Helsinki, but if you are staying for a long time, it is better to purchase a card from a local company. The cost of local and foreign calls will be several times lower. The city also has a regular telephone connection - in hotels, restaurants, on the street, in public places there is a place to call. Internet and Wi-Fi cover almost the entire city, including transport - metro, tram, bus. All shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment complexes provide remote access to the network. Connecting to the main servers is straightforward and allows you to save on communications using an Internet message.

1. If you are going to the capital of Finland in March, then you should take a warm scarf with you, since the weather at this time is not yet warm enough and the air temperature fluctuates around 0 degrees.
2. There are not many Internet cafes in the city, but you can check your email address at the post office or in the library for free.
3. Currency exchange should not be done in banks, as there are quite high commissions, and banks work only on weekdays. Better to use city exchange offices.
4. It is better to carry out a city tour on public transport, not on own car, since the fuel is quite expensive here, and even the strict rules of the road.
5. If you suddenly get lost in the city, then you should go to the sea and move along the embankment.
6. Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, and on Saturday from 9:00 to 14:00. V summer time shops close a little later on Saturday (around 16:00).
7. It is worth knowing that it is not customary to bargain in shopping centers and shops, but you should not miss this opportunity in local markets.
8. If you are going to visit the forest, it is better to wear tightly closed clothes, and also take some kind of insect repellent with you so that the walk is not ruined.
9. It is worth taking good care of the environment, as the locals care a lot about it, and any neglect on your part can result in a large fine.

Helsinki on the map, panorama