Helsinki is Sinking Into My Heart

Helsinki is a wonderful little Capitol City that does not try to be anything more then it is. Like the town the people are just who they are: humorous, open, friendly, and welcoming. Helsinki itself is a sea-town with drastic scenery containing the numerous islands in their archipelago and many harbors and inlets that provide ultimate scenic drives. As a city there is a special feel that is connected between the architecture and the people that it simply just is what it is-nothing more nothing less. People seem to genuinely enjoy being where ever they are at simoment and are there. The city is one of art and culture. There is a happy division between the Finnish speakers and the Swedish speakers, and is a country that is proud to be the second country in the world to allow women to vote. Helsinki is even more proud to be home of their female president. My three visits to this beautiful sea town has given me a wonderful peace of mind that cities can still exist by and for the people that live in them, and that the people in them are happy for that.

Walking around town I got the instant sense that, while not an ancient town, it is still a town with a strong sense of history. The immense senate square is a wide open gathering space. There are always tourists snapping photos and many Finns there just there to enjoy the company of some friends and taking in the sun. Atop a grand staircase is the Lutheran Cathedral. Its sheer white color with gold and copper domes have a striking contrast to the blue skies we’ve been having. It is a very large cathedral that, much like Helsinki, is gorgeous and beautiful, but not overstated, overdone, or anything more then what it needs to be. On the other sides of the square are the parliament house, a university, and shops.

Heading towards the water from the square you meet up with the fish market. Being a Seattle girl I do have a hard time finding a fish market that is any where near the greatness of Pike Place, but this market is certainly lively. From the market heading towards the town center you come across the icon of Helsinki the statue of mermaid Havis Amanda and the wonderfully lively Esplanade. On a sunny day the Esplanade is teamed with people enjoying company and the obligatory Finnish Ice Cream. There are gorgeous flowers and a large path in the Esplanade. Flanked on each side by stores selling many Finnish wares--from clothes, to dishware, to furniture. From the market and Esplanade it is impossible to miss the captivating thirteen onion domes of the Orthodox Uspensky Cathedral.

Up a ways from the Senate Square is another unique Helsinki attraction of the Temppeliaukio Church, or the church of the rock. This fascinating church was blasted from rock and features a 78 foot diameter roof that is a spiral of over thirteen miles of copper wiring. Unfortunately, I have not been able to catch a concert here, but from what I hear, concert here are must do.

Another feature of Helsinki are the many parks. One of the best parks is Sibelius Park, featuring a magnificent monument to the great Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius. The monument is a cluster of steel pipes that are very reminiscent of an organ, but are said to also represent the forest that inspired much of Sibelius’ works.

I went on a tour to Seusaari Island and was blessed with a gorgeous day. Seusaari Island is an open air museum, much like one I visited in Molde Norway, that displays 18th and 19th century houses, manors, churches, and other such structure from around Finland. Even here I could find something that all Finnish folk seem to absolutely just love, the Sauna. An integral part of their culture it is said that when designing a house it is designed around the sauna first and foremost.

Another tour I took was out of the city to a town called Porvoo. Porvoo is the second oldest town in Finland found in 1346 ad. It was an important trading center and today remains one still. A stroll through the medieval city is truly relaxing and certainly memorable. Heading up to the main church I was transported to another world as I carefully navigated the rocky cobblestone road. I had to check out the tires on some of the vehicles to see the brand of choice to withstand this far from ideal road. The church had a fantastic shingle roof. I wandered around town for some time enjoying a browse through some of the shops, especially the chocolate shop and then met up with my tour again to catch our boat for a cruise to Haikko manor where we would be enjoying the best meal I’ve had since leaving.


PS This is unedited so excuse any typos etcetera.