Helsinki and its Three Main Points of Interest
Helsinki, the
capital of Finland, has many churches, but one of
them is quite unique. It is Temppeliaukio or the Rock Church. It was built
directly into solid rock. The glass windows, half-circling the church between
roof and the rock wall, allow natural light to enter the church. The unworked
wall surface allows for excellent acoustics, attracting many concerts.
Another
popular tourist attraction is the Sibelius Monument at the Sibelius Park. It
was dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). It consists of
series of more than 600 hollow steel pipes welded together in a wave-like
pattern, capturing the essence of the music of Sibelius.
At the Port
of Helsinki, there are a few options. At the Esplanadinpuisto Park, between
Erottaja Square and Market Square, you can observe the locals, who enjoy picnic
after work or on the weekends. There are numerous live music performances on a
special outdoor stage in front of Café Kappeli (left). At the Market Square, you can
find traditional Finnish souvenirs and savor Lapp food. From there, you can
take a ferry (10-15 minutes ride) to the nearby Island of Suomenlinna. It is an
inhabited sea fortress built on six islands and UNESCO World Heritage Site
(previous post). Within a short walking distance, there are two churches:
Helsinki Cathedral and Uspenski Cathedral; and Nuevo Museum (free admission).
Uspenski Cathderal
Helsinki Cathedral
