Cruise Destination—Helsinki

Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. It is the most populous municipality and urban area in Finland. Helsinki is located some 80 kilometers north of Tallinn, Estonia, 400 km east of Stockholm, Sweden, and 388 km west of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Helsinki has close historical connections with these three cities.

The Helsinki metropolitan area includes the urban core of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, and surrounding commuter towns. It is the world's northernmost metropolitan area of over one million people, and the city is the northernmost capital of an EU member state.

Helsinki is Finland's major political, educational, financial, cultural, and research center as well as one of northern Europe's major city. Approximately 75% of foreign companies operating in Finland have settled in the Helsinki region.

In 2009, Helsinki was chosen to be the World Design Capital for 2012 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, narrowly beating Eindhoven for the title. The city was the venue for the 1952 Summer Olympics and the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest 2007.

Must-see Sights

Helsinki Cathedral

The Cathedral rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights. The church is part of Helsinki’s Empire era center and a landmark for those arriving by sea. It has become the symbol of the whole of Helsinki. It was previously called the St. Nicholas Church and Great Cathedral, the current main church of the Helsinki Diocese was completed in 1852. The Kazan Cathedral located in St. Petersburg is considered to be the model for the neoclassical style of the church. Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard the city from the roof of the church.

Helsinki Cathedral is part of the Empire era center of Helsinki, designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel, and planner Johan Albrekt Ehrenström. The neoclassical church was designed by Engel, whose work was continued after his death by architect, Ernst Bernhard Lohrmann. Once the construction work of the Empire era center began, the Ulrika Eleonora church on the Senate Square, completed in 1727, was demolished.

Address: Unioninkatu 29, FI-00121 Helsinki

Tel: 00358-9-23406120

Website: http://www.helsinginkirkot.fi/en/churches/cathedral

Opening hours: Open daily 9-18, June-August 9-24. Closed during ceremonies.

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomenlinna is one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world, founded in 1748 and built by Field Marshal Count Augustin Ehrensvärd on islands off the coast of Helsinki. Suomenlinna remains as one of the most popular attractions in Finland and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991 as a unique monument to European military architecture. An important part of any visit to Suomenlinna is a good meal or a refreshing break at one of its cafés. The fortress has a selection of restaurants and charming cafés. The Visitor Centre and Suomenlinna Museum, situated in the middle of the fortress, are a base and information point for visitors as well as the starting point for the walking tours. Suomenlinna is to be explored on foot. During summer there are daily guided tours in English, Finnish, Russian, and Swedish; in winter the tours are held on Saturdays and Sundays in English and Russian.

Address: Suomenlinna

Opening hours: SuomenlinnaIsland is open all year. Suomenlinna Visitors’ Centre and Museum and some other services are open also during winter.

Tel: 00358-9-5338410

Website: http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en

Sibelius Monument

In the Sibelius Park is the world famous composer Jean Sibelius' (1865-1957) monument by EilaHiltunen. It was unveiled on September 7th, 1967. The Sibelius Monument, resembling organ pipes, is made of welded steel with the bust of the composer on one side. The monument is one of Helsinki's most popular statues and one of the most well-known tourist attractions. The monument is 8.5 m high, 10.5 m wide, and 6.5 m deep. It is built with over 600 pipes and weighs 24 tons.

Kamppi Chapel of Silence

Kamppi Chapel of Silence is located in a corner of the Narinkkatori square in Helsinki, at the entrance of the Kamppi shopping center. The Chapel is intended to be a place where people can have a moment of silence and meet each other. It offers an opportunity to calm down in the middle of perhaps the busiest area in Finland. The entrance to the chapel works as an exhibition area as well where it is possible to the meet the priest and the social worker.

Address：Simonkatu 7, Narinkkatori

Tel: 00358-9-23402018

Website：http://www.helsinginkirkot.fi/fi/kirkot/kampin-kappeli

Opening hours：Mon-Fri 8–20, Sat-Sun 10-18.

Source of photos: www.visithelsinki.fi