Loved Helsinki!

Monday, May 19, 2014
Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland
Helsinki was enthralling with its graceful beauty. In 1550, the king of Sweden had big dreams for newly founded Helsinki. Unfortunately, a series of disastrous fires, plague, and war kept the town from growing…until another series of events changed its path forever. After Russia defeated Sweden and annexed Finland in 1809, Czar Alexander I moved the capital – and the university – from Turku to Helsinki. The city flourished, but Russian rule was short-lived. The Finns declared their independence in 1917, endured a devastating Civil War, and emerged with a new Republican government. Helsinki has since been its sparkling capital.

Noted for its graceful architecture and elegant gardens, Helsinki is a fascinating place to explore. The island fortress, Suomenlinna, is the greatest Swedish legacy, while the neoclassical style of the Senate Square has Russian written all over it. Finnish Art Nouveau also defines much of the cityscape. But it's the lovely mermaid fountain near the fish market that has come to symbolize Helsinki. One of the best and most active ways to see all the sites is on a Jopo, the famous Finnish bike. Or challenge yourself ever more with the Nordic Walking. We did neither of these.


We thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Rock Church - Temppeliaukion Kirkko which was hewn into solid granite. 

 Then we visited an ice bar. Be sure to view all the pictures of us in our snowsuits!! We rode vicariously on a dog sled through our friends, Sue Campbell and Vanessa Knowles.
Other Entries

Comments

2025-02-15

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank