Helsinki

This young capital of Finland, located on the shore of Gulf of Finland, is the third Largest Nordic city.
Together with the cities of Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen, and surrounding commuter towns, Helsinki forms the Greater Helsinki metropolitan area, which has a population of over 1.5 million, that makes Helsinki the most populous city of Finland.
Helsinki was the World Design Capital for 2012, the venue for the 1952 Summer Olympics, and the host of the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest in 2007.
While Finland is considered to be the happiest country of the world, Helsinki is justifiably the city with the highest standards of living in the world!
Staying in Helsinki don`t miss these important landmarks of the city:
– Helsinki Cathedral/ Helsingin tuomiokirkko, the most prominent building in the city and the Statue of Alexander II, Tsar of Russia and Grand Duke of Finland located on the Senate Square by the Cathedral
– Uspensky Cathedral/ Uspenskin katedraali, the main cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Finland
– Sibelius Monument/ Sibelius-monumentti was dedicated to the most famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957)
– Rock Church/ Temppeliaukion kirkko, located in the very heart of the city, was excavated directly into solid rock!
– the Chapel of Silence or Kamppi Chapel/ Kampin kappeli, having relaxing wood facade and warm lighting that floods its interior walls, offers refuge and the feeling of amazing peace in the heart of the capital
– modern and extremely popular library Oodi/ Helsingin keskustakirjasto Oodi, built in ecomodernism style, was visited by more than 2 million people in 2019 and rapidly became a hallmark of modern Finnish architecture and construction

Architecture history of Helsinki vary from neoclassicism to ecomodernism. Helsinki is a home to numerous Art Nouveau-influenced buildings influenced by Kalevala, which was a common theme of the era. Helsinki’s Art Nouveau style is featured in central districts, such as Katajanokka and Ullanlinna. These rows of bright buildings with single facade create unique and totally charming atmosphere of this Nordic city!
Functionalist buildings in Helsinki include the Olympic Stadium, the Tennis Palace, the Rowing Stadium, the Swimming Stadium, the Velodrome, the Glass Palace, the Töölö Sports Hall, and Helsinki-Malmi Airport.
This city definitely has a strong character, but absolutely warm soul and kind heart!