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.
Loved Helsinki!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland
Other Entries
-
1Packing
Apr 2920 days priorEl Paso, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
2Tampa and on board activities
Apr 3019 days priorTampa, United Statesphoto_camera17videocam 0comment 2 -
3Walking in the Quincy Market area
May 0415 days priorBoston, United Statesphoto_camera38videocam 0comment 0 -
4Cork, Ireland and surrounding towns
May 118 days priorCork, Irelandphoto_camera52videocam 0comment 1 -
5Springtime in Cherbourg
May 127 days priorCherbourg, Francephoto_camera48videocam 0comment 0 -
6Friends from The Netherlands
May 136 days priorZeebrugge, Belgiumphoto_camera70videocam 0comment 0 -
7Last port of repositioning cruise
May 145 days priorHarwich, United Kingdomphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 0 -
8Colchester - Britain's Oldest Recorded Town
May 145 days priorColchester, United Kingdomphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 0 -
9Had to return to Harwich to board our ship
May 145 days priorHarwich, United Kingdomphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
10Copenhagen, Home of the Little Mermaid
May 163 days priorCopenhagen, Denmarkphoto_camera80videocam 0comment 0 -
11Stockholm - picturesque approach
May 181 day priorStockholm, Swedenphoto_camera39videocam 0comment 0 -
12Loved Helsinki!
May 19Helsinki, Finlandphoto_camera81videocam 0comment 0 -
13St. Petersburg - Day One
May 201 day laterSt. Petersburg, Russian Federationphoto_camera91videocam 0comment 0 -
14St. Petersburg - Day Two
May 212 days laterSt. Petersburg, Russian Federationphoto_camera106videocam 0comment 1 -
15Tallinn, Estonia
May 223 days laterTallinn, Estoniaphoto_camera57videocam 0comment 0 -
16Visby, Gotland - A Swedish island
May 234 days laterVisby, Swedenphoto_camera39videocam 0comment 0 -
17Last Port of Call of this cruise
May 267 days laterHarwich, United Kingdomphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
18Landed in Houston
May 267 days laterHouston, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0 -
19Safely Home
May 267 days laterEl Paso, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 1
2025-02-15