World City Guide

Key Attractions

Senaatintori (Senate Square)
Helsinki’s neo-classical heart dates from the first half of the 19th century and was built by Carl Ludvig Engel, a native of Berlin. As he was also largely responsible for St Petersburg’s architecture, the square has doubled up as a backdrop for Cold War spy-espionage films, such as Gorky Park (1983), Reds (1981) and White Nights (1985). The buildings that border the square include the white-domed Tuomiokirkko (a Lutheran cathedral, consecrated in 1852), the Government Palace and the University Library. In the centre of the square stands a statue of Tsar Alexander II, cast in 1894.

Senaatintori

Sederholm Talo (Sederholm House)
Just near Senate Square, this stone building is the oldest in Helsinki (1757). Built in 18th-century Rococo style, Sederholm Talo has been turned into a museum that documents the life of Johan Sederholm, a Counsellor of Commerce who lived in the early part of the 18th century.

Aleksanterinkatu 16-18
Tel: (09) 169 3625.
Website: www.hel.fi/kaumuseo/english/sederholmintalo.html
Opening hours: Sun-Thur 1100-1600 (Jan-Jun and Aug-Dec). Closed Fri-Sat.
Admission charge (free on Thursdays).

Kauppatori (Market Square)
The Market Square (or ‘fish market’) is located on the seafront and is where the locals lunch on cheap eats, including freshly caught salmon steaks and reindeer meat. It is a great spot for tourists to find souvenirs like Russian fur hats, carved wooden bowls, gloves and hats knitted on the spot, reindeer skins and Lapp hunting knives. Additionally, an undercover market is just 100m (328ft) away, selling similar fare. The Market Hall is a great stop for souvenirs such as dried reindeer salami and Finlandia vodka (at the Alko).

Kauppatori
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 0630-1800, Sat 0800-1600, Sun 1000-1700 (late May-Sep).

Temppeliaukion Kirkko (Temppeliaukio Church)
The ‘Church in the Rock’, designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, was consecrated in 1969. The church is built into solid rock, with the inner wall left raw and unfinished, and is crowned with a solid copper dome. The wall surrounding the church is made from rock quarried on the site.

Lutherinkatu 3 (entrance is at the end of Fredikinkatu)
Tel: (09) 494 698.
Opening hours: (may vary) Mon and Wed 1000-1700, Tue 1000-1245 and 1415-1700, Thu-Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1145-1345 and 1530-1800.
Free admission.

Sibelius Monumentti (Sibelius Monument)
Hundreds of steel pipes shaped by sculptor Eila Hiltunen make up the impressive monument to the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). A rebel under oppressive Russian rule, Sibelius wrote tunes that have become synonymous with Finnish patriotism – ‘Finlandia’ came to symbolise the Finnish struggle for independence. A journey to this monument is a pilgrimage for most Finns.

Sibelius Park, Töölö, between Topeliuksenkatu and Mechelininkatu
Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk.
Free admission.

Kiasma (Contemporary Art Museum)
This stunning building, built by award-winning architect Steven Holl, is a sculpture in itself. The museum showcases the best in Finnish and international contemporary art since the 1960s, with approximately 4,000 pieces on display at any one time. It has a designer café and an excellent bookshop.

Mannerheiminaukio 2
Tel: (09) 1733 6501.
Website: www.kiasma.fi
Opening hours: Tues 0900-1700, Wed-Sun 1000-2030 (may vary).
Admission charge.

Taideteolisuusmuseo (Design Museum)
This interesting city centre museum tracks the history of Finnish design and art, showcasing the works of Kaj Franck, Timo Sarpaneva, Alvar and Aino Aalto and others. It also features special events throughout the year, a café with chairs by legendary designer Yrjö Kukkapuro and a shop selling local crafts.

Korkeavuorenkatu 23
Tel: (09) 622 0540.
Website: www.designmuseum.fi
Opening hours: Tues 1100-2000, Wed-Sun 1100-1800 (Sep-May); Daily 1100-1800 (Jun-Aug).
Admission charge.

Mannerheim Museo
This fascinating museum was the home of the much-celebrated C G E Mannerheim. Born in 1867, he served for over 30 years in the Russian Imperial Army, leading Finland to independence in a bloody civil war that saw 30,000 Finns killed in 108 days. Mannerheim served as a commander-in-chief, a regent and as president.

Kalliolinnantie 14, Kaivopuisto Park
Tel: (09) 635 443.
Website: www.mannerheim-museo.fi
Opening hours: Fri-Sun (plus Jun 4 and Dec 6) 1100-1600.
Admission charge.

Finlandia-Talo (Finlandia Hall)
Finlandia Hall is Helsinki’s conference and concert hub. The hall was built in 1971 and is one of Alvar Aalto’s most famous works. It is also home to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, founded by Robert Kajanus in 1882. The hall is a great place for one to hear Finland’s finest musicians as well as appreciate the distinctive, angular architecture employed in Aalto’s buildings.

Mannerheimintie 13
Tel: (09) 40241.
Website: www.finlandia.hel.fi
Opening hours: During events (guided tours by appointment).
Admission charge for tours.

Finlands Nationalmuseum (National Museum of Finland)
Located opposite Finlandia Hall about 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre, this museum contains rich archaeological and ethnographic collections, depicting Finnish life from prehistory to the present day. Some of the most interesting exhibits are those on the culture of the Sami people of Lapland. Guided tours available.

Mannerheimintie 34
Tel: (09) 4050 9544.
Website: www.nba.fi
Opening hours: Tues-Wed 1100-2000, Thurs-Sun 1100-1800. Closed Mon.
Admission charge.