Open left menu Helsinki. Open left menu Helsinki Famous medical centers in Helsinki

Helsinki - the capital of Finland - a city located on quiet shores Baltic Sea. The proximity to St. Petersburg and fairly close historical ties with Russia make travel to this city quick, with minimal customs formalities. The Pearl of Finland is one of the most beautiful capitals of Northern Europe, rich in architectural monuments, unique culture, safety and well-developed tourist infrastructure. Despite its northern location, Helsinki can offer a huge range of entertainment at any time of the year. It is not for nothing that Finland is included in the list of leaders in terms of the best standard of living - the pleasure of visiting Helsinki cannot be compared with any other trip.

Geography

The Finnish capital is located in the southern part of the country on sea ​​coast and occupies many islands and peninsulas. The area of ​​Helsinki itself is 716 square kilometers with a population of just over 600 thousand people - more than half of the area is occupied by sea waters. Helsinki is the main city of the metropolitan agglomeration, which includes three more satellite cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen - the population of the entire region is more than 1 million people and is the largest populated area in Finland. Despite its location, Helsinki is an attractive city with many green areas and rocky and mountain forms- a familiar landscape of the Finnish capital. The unique location ensured the city's protection from the mainland and the sea, and also led to the development of various types of public transport - land and sea. Administratively, Helsinki is divided into eight districts, consisting of 59 districts, most of which have developed both historically and geographically - e.g. small islands, plains or residential areas. Helsinki is located in a time zone that differs from Moscow time by one hour - on a par with Cairo, Tallinn, Kiev and Minsk.

Climate

Weather conditions in Helsinki fall somewhere between continental and maritime climates, and the seasons are clearly defined by calendar time. Winter is quite long and cold, with snowfalls and constantly low average temperature about -7-10°C. Sharp drops in the thermometer do not happen often. Spring and autumn are characterized by temperature changes from plus to minus, with frosts and rains. The proximity of the sea also ensures several foggy periods. Summer in Helsinki lasts from June to the end of August with high temperatures around +20°C and sea temperatures warming up to +17°C. Hot days last for a long time and there is very little precipitation - this is enough to local residents and tourists were able to relax on numerous city beaches. The uniqueness of Helsinki is that you can go to the Finnish capital at any time, although July is considered the most attractive - as the warmest and most pleasant month in terms of weather. Also in summer, the city experiences a “white nights” season, since it is located at the same latitude as St. Petersburg. In spring and autumn, travelers go to Helsinki to get the most out of the changing seasons, when nature changes and the appearance of the city takes on an unforgettable appearance. Winter in Finnish capital gives a real New Year and Christmas mood, as everything is covered with snow, and the city itself shines with thousands of colorful lights. In addition, walks in the suburbs with extensive forests and rocky coastline are popular in winter.

Story

The territory of modern Finland was the property of the Swedish crown for a long time, until it was transferred to the Russian Empire. Helsinki was founded on June 12, 1550 under the name Helsingfors, a name still used in official references and in the Swedish-speaking community of Finland. The city district of Arabia is the oldest part of Helsinki, where the city originated. For a long time it was a simple provincial town, built mainly of wood. Only in 1748, when the construction of the defensive fortress of Sveaborg began, Helsingfors began to acquire stone buildings, but still remained an average village, since the capital of Finland was Abo.

The proximity to the Russian borders led to the fact that the city participated in all Russian-Swedish conflicts as a stronghold for armies. In 1809, at the end of the last war with Sweden, Finland completely ceded to the Russian Empire with the rights of fairly broad autonomy, more like a personal union. The rulers of Russia did a lot to improve the condition of the new Principality of Finland, and therefore are highly revered in this country. Alexander the First moved the capital of Finland to Helsingfors and sent one of the most famous architects, Karl Engel, to the city, who built the most famous architectural monuments- Presidential Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Orthodox churches and the entire Senate Square. His students subsequently engaged in further expansion of the city in the Russian Empire style, in the image and likeness of St. Petersburg. In 1860, the first Finnish railway appeared, and in 1870 it connected Helsinki and St. Petersburg. The Russian government has done a lot to introduce and spread the Finnish language and support national interests - as opposed to the country's Swedish roots. That is why in Helsinki there are monuments dedicated to the emperors and empresses of Russia, as well as prominent figures of Finnish origin, everywhere. At one time, even Lenin was celebrated as a liberator, since it was the October Revolution that led to the complete independence of Finland from Russia.

After gaining independence in 1917, the country began to develop independently, and Helsinki became the capital of the state, where the main administrative centers are concentrated. Second World War Finland was not greatly affected, since it was more inclined towards neutrality during the conflict and was able to maintain its usual way of life. The post-war period was marked by the intensive growth of Helsinki and the introduction of the latest methods of construction and organization of life. In 1952 the city hosted the 15th Olympic Games. Modern Helsinki is one of the safest and most prosperous cities in the world, both in terms of the level of protection of the population and tourists, and in providing for citizens. In 2007, Helsinki was the center of the Eurovision Song Contest, and in addition, the city constantly hosts various cultural, political, and industrial events.

Sights of Helsinki

• Senate Square and the Cathedral are architectural treasures and landmarks of Helsinki. The square is surrounded by a rare architectural complex in the neoclassical style. On its territory there is a Cathedral that is more than 150 years old. The cathedral was built in 1852, it was designed by K. L. Engel. On the roof of the cathedral there are figures of the apostles, and from the steps there is a wonderful view of the South Harbor.
• A very interesting building on Temppeliaukio Square is a church in the rock. The church was erected in 1969; it was carved out of a rock mass. The top of the church is decorated with a glass dome, which is supported by copper plates. The church is famous for its excellent acoustics; it is for this reason that various concerts, including organ music, are often held here.
• The largest sea ​​fortress world is the Soumenlinna Fortress. It was located on an island near the entrance to the southern port. The fortress is a unique military structure, one of the most popular attractions in Finland and an urban area of ​​the city.

• It is also worth paying attention to the Serena water park, especially if you are vacationing with children or simply love water adventures. This is the largest complex in Northern Europe, which operates around the clock. Here you can spend the whole day enjoying a unique experience in the indoor and outdoor pools.
• Helsinki is famous big amount museums. For example, the Natural Science Museum, which will introduce you to the nature of the city, will immerse you in the depths of the Baltic, a collection of bone remains of majestic dinosaurs.
• The fortress-museum preserves old military traditions. The Naval Academy is located on the Small Black Island to this day. The fortress was included in the UNESCO list of world cultural monuments.
• Another attraction of Helsinki is the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection is focused on modern trends in art. The museum displays works of Finnish and international (Russian, Northern European and Baltic) art.
• There is also a wonderful Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. It was built specifically for the 1940 Olympic Games, but due to the World War the games were postponed for 12 years and were held here only in 1952. Currently, the Sports Museum is located on the territory of the stadium. In addition to it, there is another attraction on the territory of the stadium - a 72-meter observation tower, thanks to which it becomes possible to admire the delightful surroundings of the capital from a bird's eye view.

Events and festivals

Finns love and know how to relax, despite all their seriousness and strict adherence to the rules. Residents of Helsinki and tourists can spend several fun days every year at one of the city's festivals. The Finnish capital is not only the center of national celebrations, but also has its own unique festivals to attend:

• Winter is a traditional time for Christmas and New Year's holidays, which acquire amazing and unusual features in the northern city. Christmas weeks are held throughout the city with various fairs, concerts, processions and other entertainment events starting on December 2. Notable dates are also St. Lucia's Day (December 13) and the Tuomos fair on Senate Square, which takes place almost the entire month. In January, Helsinki turns into a center for documentary film with the Doc Point festival, and in February for contemporary music with the Musica Nova event.
• Spring is famous for several major celebrations that coincide with major dates. Easter is held in high esteem, in honor of which fairs, carnivals and processions are held. Helsinki also celebrates May 1st, called Vappu, with various fun events. On the second Sunday in May, Mother's Day is celebrated, when all women are honored with various gifts, and stores often have big discounts on goods.
• Summer is also not the most eventful season, but one of the most memorable and vibrant. On June 12, Helsinki celebrates the founding day of the city with large-scale festivities, concerts, exhibitions under open air and other fun. On June 4, the national Day of Defense Forces is held, which traditionally includes a military parade. In the summer, Ivan Kupala Day (Midsummer Day), Finnish Flag Day is celebrated, and a Maritime Festival is held. But the most famous event in Helsinki in early July is the largest rock festival Tuska Open Air, which brings together performers and fans from all over the world. At the end of July there is a beer festival, and in August there are numerous musical and theatrical events dedicated to ethno, folk, jazz, modern and others.
• Autumn is very rich in various events that have different directions - from Finnish Fashion Week (in early September) to huge exhibitions dedicated to hockey and winter sports. The most notable is the celebration of Salaki Day - in honor of the Baltic herring and other seafood. At this time there is a big fair in Trade area, in which many folk craftsmen take part. At the end of October, the city hosts Sauna Day - when all city institutions open their doors to those interested. November 30 is St. Andrew's Day, when the first New Year's trees are put up in Helsinki, and the holiday is considered the starting point for Christmas markets.

Restaurants and cafes

As a European capital, Helsinki has a large selection of different catering establishments - from ultra modern to small national restaurants. In the city you can try dishes from all cuisines of the world, but locals prefer authentic and familiar dishes typical of the Finnish capital. The peculiarity of national restaurants and cafes in Helsinki is that they prepare dishes from seasonal organic products - that is, no one will offer strawberries to tourists in October. In addition, Finnish cuisine is famous for its original game dishes, served for over 150 years at the Kappeli restaurant; simple dishes of herring, red fish or with sausages and cabbage - at Sunday fairs on Kauppatori Square; craft breweries and stylish art restaurants in the Design Quarter; exquisite signature dishes in restaurants marked with a Michelin star - Demo, Luomo, as well as in Postres, Olo. Many small establishments and cafes offer business lunches in a buffet format, and the city has a huge number of small coffee shops with pastries - the Finns are among the leading nations in Europe consuming a lot of coffee.

The hallmark of Helsinki is salmon, whitefish, and trout, which are served in almost all restaurants and cafes with a variety of side dishes and additives. Finns are also very fond of game and hot dishes, in particular soups, of which national cuisine a large number of. You should definitely try at least some of the local varieties of bread and the famous pastries with cloudberry jam. When visiting Helsinki, it is worth remembering that Finns drink alcohol and quite a lot - few people can outdrink representatives of this nation. Locally produced drinks are strong, and therefore you need to be careful about local types of alcohol.

Shopping

A famous shopping destination in Helsinki, Aleksanterinkatu Street is home to major international brands as well as local designers offering a variety of stylish items. One of the most popular brands is Marimekko, which is a must-have for any traveler to Finland. In the shops on Trade Square, Esplanade Boulevard, Mannerheim Street you can buy anything - from high-quality furniture to the latest clothing collections, but don’t forget about traditional souvenirs from Helsinki:

• wool and leather products;
• bone figurines;
• Hunter knives;
• the famous Moomins - in the form of toys, figurines, clothes, accessories;
• wooden crafts - mugs, kitchen utensils, coasters, figurines;
• sauna accessories - from caps and towels, to buckets and aromatic oils;
• stone, copper, porcelain and glass products - brands Iittala, Hackman, Arabia, folk crafts;
• cloudberry jam;
• pastries and bread;
• famous alcoholic drinks - Finlandia vodka, Koskenkorva; liqueurs Minttu, Lapponia;
• smoked, salted fish, canned food, goods from the annual fish fair;
• Fazer chocolate;
• natural coffee of the highest quality.

How to get to Helsinki?

The proximity of Finland to Russia solves many transport problems and makes travel easier, as it provides the most different variants trips. Trains run regularly from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Helsinki, arriving at the central station, which is an architectural monument of the nineteenth century. There is also a regular bus service - the central bus station is located in the center of Helsinki, close to the main transport arteries of the city. Vantaa Airport is located just 17 kilometers from the center of the Finnish capital and has excellent connections with the city via public transport. Finnish and Russian airlines carry out regular flights one of the most major cities Russia. You can get to Helsinki by sea - valid ferry service with St. Petersburg. The travel time does not pass much, but upon arrival you can enjoy the panorama of Helsinki opening from the Gulf of Finland. The port is also located in the city center and allows quick access to the most interesting places. You can also travel to Helsinki with your own car, since the distance from St. Petersburg is only about 400 kilometers. Simplified customs controls and immigration laws will allow you to quickly enter the Finnish capital.

Transport

In terms of traffic intensity and road congestion, Helsinki ranks one of the last in Europe - the leisurely pace of life allows you to conveniently and comfortably use any type of public urban transport, without fear of getting stuck in traffic jams. A valid Helsinki Card provides additional discounts on travel in all types of transport, except taxis. Helsinki has convenient connections both in the city center and when traveling to more remote areas:

• metro - has only two lines and 17 stations - runs through the whole of Helsinki;
• bus service - connects all districts of the city with each other and is one of the most extensive;
• Tram service is a very developed form of transport, allowing you to quickly get to different parts of Helsinki. Many routes lead through the historical center;
• sea ​​trams are a regular mode of transport that runs along the bays and straits of the city, connecting islands and peninsulas;
• Taxi is a common and quite expensive type of transport, which has its own nuances when ordering by phone and stopping on the street. The second option will make the trip a little cheaper, but it is still recommended to book a car in advance.

Car rental is represented by several dozen international and local companies offering cars of any class. When making this choice, it is worth remembering that there are not many parking spaces in the center, and on the streets there are different parking and payment rules - one on weekdays, and completely different on weekends. In Helsinki, you can rent bicycles, which are offered near all major hotels, train stations, and metro stations. The total length of equipped bike paths is more than 750 kilometers and will allow you to see all the sights and not spend extra money on public transport.

Accommodation

There are many hotels in the city, some of which have a generally accepted “star rating”, and some are not marked with insignia at all - but the level of service and service is quite high. There are many in Helsinki expensive hotels international chains Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn, as well as small family hotels with a small number of rooms. Popular among tourists available seats accommodations like Hotel Anna, Hotel Sofia, Omena Hotel Helsinki Lonnrotinkatu. Many high-class hotels, for example Hotel Kamp, Scandic Grand Marina, have a very developed infrastructure - own beaches, sports and health complexes. If you want to spend your holiday in a majestic castle, then the four-star Glo Hotel Art is for you. No less popular are various apartments, hostels and rental apartments, which allow you to plunge into the life of the Finnish capital and take care of your own food. It must be remembered that during the most popular seasons, accommodation must be booked in advance - two to three months in advance, especially during the summer and Christmas holidays. Youth hostels of the All Right and Cheap Sleep chains are the best in the city, as they provide a fairly large selection of services at an affordable price, and are located close to the main attractions.

Connection

Russian mobile operators support roaming when traveling to Helsinki, but long stay better buy a card local company. The cost of local and international calls will be several times lower. There is also a regular telephone connection in the city - in hotels, restaurants, on the street, in public places there is somewhere to call. Internet and Wi-Fi cover almost the entire city, including transport - metro, tram, bus. Remote access to the network is provided by all shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, shops, and entertainment complexes. Connecting to the main servers is easy and allows you to save on communication costs using an Internet message.

1. If you are going to the capital of Finland in March, then you should take a warm scarf with you, since the weather at this time is not yet warm enough and the air temperature fluctuates around 0 degrees.
2. There are not very many Internet cafes in the city, but you have the opportunity to check your email address at the post office or at the library completely free of charge.
3. Currency exchange should not be done in banks, since the commissions there are quite high, and banks are open only on weekdays. It is better to use city exchange offices.
4. It is better to take a city tour by public transport rather than by your own car, since fuel here is quite expensive, and there are strict traffic rules.
5. If you suddenly get lost in the city, then you should go out to the sea and move along the embankment.
6. Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, and on Saturday from 9:00 to 14:00. IN summer time On Saturday, shops close a little later (around 16:00).
7. It is worth knowing that in shopping centers It is not customary to bargain in stores, but in local markets you should not miss this opportunity.
8. If you are going to visit the forest, it is better to wear tightly closed clothes and also take some insect repellent with you so that the walk is not spoiled.
9. You should take care of environment, because local residents take great care of it, and any neglect on your part can result in a large fine.

Helsinki on the map, panorama

The capital and largest city of the country, Helsinki is located on rugged by bays and skerries on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea in the southern part of Finland.

The city was founded in 1550 by decree of the Swedish king Gustav Vasa as a rival to the Hanseatic Revel (now Tallinn) near the Finnish settlement of Koskela ("village on the rapids", small waterfalls can still be found everywhere within the city). At that time, Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden, therefore the Swedish toponym Helsingfors for a long time remained the official name of the city, later passing into Russian as Helsingfors. According to one version, he appeared along with the first settlers from the Swedish province of Halsingland, but the most likely is the usual tracing paper from Finnish - Hellssingeforss, i.e. "rapids on Helsinga" (Helsinga is the ancient name of the river now known as Vanta). The local residents themselves initially called the city Helsinki, which was fixed after the country gained independence in 1917. Nowadays, Finns more often call their capital Stadi (from the Swedish "city"), Hesa ​​(the usual abbreviation) or, in rare cases, Helsset (the name of the place in Sami dialects).

A convenient harbor and good protection in the form of skerries, numerous islands and the powerful fortress of Sveaborg (Suomenlinna) gave the settlement a powerful impetus for development, and in just two centuries it turned from a seedy port into one of the most beautiful cities region. In 1812, Helsinki became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland, and then the entire country.

Now this small city by European standards (just over half a million population) is very picturesquely spread out between endless bays, streams, rocks and forests, forming one of the most colorful settlements in Europe. Officially, the agglomeration includes 315 islands and almost 100 km of coastline, but in practice these numbers are probably higher.

Despite its port status, the city is famous for its fresh air and beautiful landscapes, coupled with an interesting culture formed under the influence of Italian, Scandinavian and Russian traditions, which is only emphasized by ultra-modern art objects (the country is deservedly considered one of the leaders in the field of architecture, and in 2012 Helsinki has been recognized as the design capital of the world. It still holds the interesting status of being the smallest city in the world to ever host the Olympics, and is also the northernmost capital of the European Union.

Theaters and concerts in Helsinki

Helsinki, the dynamically developing capital of Finland, is a city filled with life and energy, located on the sea coast, with the most beautiful islands and luxurious green parks. Helsinki is a city with its own amazing and unique rhythm, amazes visitors with its cuisine, design, architecture and saunas! Helsinki, like the entire Northern European culture represented in it, was created by the painstaking work of local residents.

Helsinki is the largest city in Finland. The population living in the capital region is 1.4 million people. If you look at the map, you can see that Helsinki is comfortably located in the northernmost corner of Europe, but getting to it is not difficult, thanks to convenient air connections connecting eastern and western directions. No flights? No problem! Helsinki can be easily reached from St. Petersburg, Estonia and Sweden via the Baltic Sea. In fact, the sea is one of the most characteristic elements of this city. The Helsinki archipelago consists of more than 300 islands of stunning beauty.

Life in the city proceeds at an imposing and leisurely pace, and it is very easy to establish contact with this city, both literally and figuratively. Helsinki's public transport system is considered one of the best in the world - thanks to one excellent metro line - and the city is also easy to get around on foot or by bike.

In addition to Helsinki, within a radius metropolitan region There are also other equally interesting cities and places full of attractions to visit. These include the neighboring cities of Espoo and Vantaa, historical city Porvoo, Järvenpää-Tuusula region, is famous for its rich artistic heritage, as well as the craft villages located west of Helsinki, which were once the site of iron foundries. Less than 2 hours' drive from Helsinki there are 6 national parks and countless other natural attractions.

Go for a walk in the forest, enjoy concerts, festivals, a traditional Northern European-style dinner or visit one of the iconic public saunas - you'll find it all here!

Helsinki is the capital of Finland. The city is considered the largest in the country. Helsinki is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Vantaa River, which flows into the Baltic. In Swedish, the city was called differently for a long time - Helsinfors.

Story

The city was founded in 1550 by the first Swedish king, Gustav Vasa. For almost two hundred years the town did not develop; it was more like a large village where local residents were engaged in fishing. The city constantly suffered from outbreaks of plague.

In 1748, the first fortress built by the Swedes appeared in the city - Sveaborg. After this, the city began to grow, and the first stone houses appeared in it. We remind you that in those days Finland was not independent state, but was a large Swedish province. That's why administrative center province of Finland was the city of Turku (Swedish name - Abo).

Russian troops captured Helsinki four times during the Northern War with Sweden, and the two subsequent Russian-Swedish wars.

After the last Swedish war, all of Finland became part of the Russian Empire and remained part of it until the end of 1917. Helsinki has continuously developed and grown over the years. After joining Russia, the capital of Finland was moved from Turku to Helsinki.

In 1870, a railway was built in the city. It connected Helsinki with St. Petersburg. After the arrival of the railroad, the city's economic growth only intensified.

During the First World War, the city was occupied by the Kaiser's German troops. Thanks to them, units of the Red Army were driven out of the city and Finland soon gained independence.

In 1939, aggressive military circles in Finland, led by Marshal Mannerheim, became close to the German fascists. Finland became an ally of Nazi Germany and directly began to threaten the USSR with a military attack. The peace was very fragile, and eventually the Soviet-Finnish war broke out, which led to Finland losing part of its lands on the Karelian Isthmus, including Vyborg. The border was moved away from Leningrad almost 100 km to the west. Helsinki was subjected to continuous bombing by the USSR.

However, with the beginning of the war of Nazi Germany against the USSR, Finland joined the Germans and alsodeclared war. The bombing of the city by Soviet aircraft continued until the autumn of 1944, until Finland admitted defeat.

After the war, the city was rebuilt and turned into one of the most modern cities in Northern Europe.

Map

Museums

According to tradition, we begin our acquaintance with the city with its museums.

Helsinki City Museum is a museum of the history of the Finnish capital. The exhibition halls present all the historical stages of Helsinki's development, from its origins to the present day. The museum has several departments, which can rightfully be considered separate museums, but organizationally they are part of one large historical museum. The main building houses a central exhibition dedicated to the history of the city.

The House of the Finnish Burgher recreates the home environment of a wealthy Finn's home.

Another branch Historical Museum is School Museum, located at a different address in Helsinki. A historical Finnish school from the nineteenth century has been recreated here.

Finnish Tram Museum – located in the center of Helsinki. Almost all brands of trams are collected here, from the first horse-drawn trams to the ultra-modern ones.

Next major museum Finnish capital - National Museum of Finland . The museum was created a hundred years ago, in 1910, and introduces visitors to rich history Finland, from the Swedish period to the modern one.

Finnish National Gallery – is divided into three separate museums: the Art Museum, the Hiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sinebryuchov Art Museum. Let's look at each of these museums in order.

Art Museum is the largest museum in Finland, containing the largest collection of paintings by medieval European Renaissance artists. The museum was founded in 1921. It was founded by the Russian owner of one of the Finnish brewing companies, Nikolai Sinebryukhov.

Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art – this museum houses about 4,000 exhibits of contemporary Finnish art. It is also structurally part of the National Museum of Finland.

Athenaeum Museum- another art museum in Helsinki, considered central in the city. There are more than 20,000 thousand paintings and sculptures that have been collected for 250 years – since 1750.

Another interesting museum in the capital of Finland is postal museum. Here are collected samples of postcards from European countries, uniforms of postmen in Finland and other countries, and various mailboxes. This is a very interesting museum!

Maritime Museum of Finland (Suomen merimuseo) – this museum tells about the maritime glory of Finland, especially in those years when it was part of Sweden. There are models of sailboats and boats here.

War Museum in Helsinki is the central museum of the Finnish armed forces. The museum contains exhibitions dedicated to the history of military affairs in Finland. Large area occupied by exhibitions dedicated to the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940.

House of Marshal Mannerheim in Helsinki And– all the home furnishings of the famous people have been recreated herethe famous Finnish military leader of 1939-1940 - at the time when he was the commander-in-chief of the Finnish armed forces.

Attractions

It's time to take a walk through the streets and squares of Helsinki!

Senate square – this is the calling card of the city! On the square stands St. Nicholas Cathedral. Another monument adorns the square - a monument to Russian Emperor Alexander I. Dates and business meetings are arranged on Senate Square. and…. A huge number of pigeons like to constantly flock here, to the delight of local pigeon lovers who come here to feed them.

Suomenlinna (“Finnish Fortress”) or Sveaborg ("Swedish region") – preserved fortress bastions. Today they are located within the city on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

The fortress was built on 7 rocky islands called “Wolf Skerries”. These islands are connected to each other by bridges. The fortress was stormed in 1808 by Russian troops. After these events, Finland became an integral part of the Russian Empire.

ZooKorkeasaari– is considered one of the oldest and northern zoos in the world. The zoo itself has about 200 species of different animals. A ferry runs to the zoo from the city center in the summer.

Helsinki Market Square – the busiest place in the Finnish capital. Many city bus and tram routes start from here and go to various outskirts of the city.

And on this square there is the following attraction - Presidential palace . This is the working residence of the Finnish president. The palace was built about 200 years ago - in 1820 for one of the wealthy merchants. in those days when Finland was part of the Russian Empire, one of the residences of the Russian emperors was located here.

Aleksanterinkatu – central historical street cities. In Russian it is called Alexandrovskaya. The most expensive restaurants, shops, cafes and nightclubs of the city are concentrated here. This street is crowded even at night.

Olympic Stadium in Helsinki – the Summer Olympic Games were held here in 1952. Here are held football matches Finnish national team andmetropolitan football club HIC.

Religious buildings

Helsinki is considered a major religious center of the Lutheran movement. There are many churches in the city. We list the most famous of the temples:

Lutheran Cathedral of St. Nicholas;

Assumption Cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Finland;

Temppeliaukio Church, this temple is carved into the rock;

Lutheran Church Kallio;

German church;

Church of St. Trinity, Orthodox;

Töölö Church – Lutheran;

Karuna Church is Lutheran.

Monuments

The monuments also give one of the northern European capitals solid look:

monument to Russian Emperor Alexander I;

monument to the Finnish poet Runeberg;

monument to the sea nymph Havis Amanda;

monument to Gustav Mannerheim;

monument to track and field athlete Paavo Nurmi;

monument to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius;

monument to three blacksmiths;

monument to President Paasikivi;

monument to Finnish playwright Alexis Kivi;

monument to Finnish banker Johan Vilhelm Snellman.

Stations

There is one in Helsinki Train Station. By train from the Finnish capital you can go to St. Petersburg, Moscow, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen.

Parks

Let's take a walk in the parks of the Finnish capital. There are a lot of them.

Esplanade Park- most old park Helsinki and is located in the very center of the city. The main ones converge here tourist routes in Helsinki.This park is in no way inferior in number of trees and beauty Champs Elysees in Paris! There is always a jazz orchestra playing here on weekends. Residents of the Finnish capital and guests of the city always like to walk here.

Kaivopuisto Park – located in the south of the city. The park was once considered a real resort area, because it goes directly to the Gulf of Finland. There is another attraction in the park itself - Botanical Garden University of Helsinki. You can have a good rest here - the park has a beautiful football field, volleyball courts and tennis courts.

Markets

We complete our acquaintance with the city by visiting the city markets.

Old indoor market in Helsinki - lives up to its name. The highest quality products are sold here. LargeThis part of the market has rows where fish is sold. As in the capitals of other Scandinavian countries, here you can buy almost any food fresh. sea ​​fish, caught in the Baltic Sea!

Well, according to tradition, let’s take a look at the Finnish “flea market” - the central swap meet Hietalahti. This is the largest flea market in Helsinki. They sell ancient coins, clothes, shoes, and furniture here.

Climate

No matter how strange it may seem, the issue of swimming in the Finnish capital is no more acute than in Athens. On a hot July day, the Gulf of Finland in the Helsinki area can warm up to 22-23 degrees! That's why…. They swim here in the Baltic Sea, and with great pleasure! The only difference from south seas- very short swimming season- two month. They swim in the Gulf of Finland in July and August.

The southern coast of Finland, where the capital Helsinki is located, is the most populated, industrialized and wealthy part of the country. Helsinki, with a population of 560 thousand, is very different from other Scandinavian capitals and is more like big cities of Eastern Europe. For centuries the city was an outpost of the Russian Empire and owes part of its majestic appearance to this powerful neighbor.

In the 20th century, Helsinki was perceived as a symbol of independent Finland, and growing Finnish nationalism became the impetus for the creation of remarkable architectural structures. The streets of Helsinki are full of noisy young people, there is a huge selection of pubs and clubs, and free rock concerts are held in numerous parks.

The ferry piers are located less than 1 kilometer from the center, the station is in the very heart of the city, intercity bus station– nearby, on Simonkatu Street, Vantaa Airport () – 20 kilometers north, where Finnair buses run from the Central Station (every 20 minutes). The city travel agency is located at Pohjoisesplanadi 19.

Here you can get free brochures Helsinki This Week, City and Helsinki Happens. If you decide to stay for a few days, it is worth purchasing a Helsinki Card (25/35 euros for 24/48 hours), which gives you unlimited travel on public transport and free access to the museums of the capital.

Information about the country can be obtained from the Finnish Tourist Office, Etelaesplanadi 4 (Monday-Friday 9.00-17.00; May-September also Saturday and Sunday 11.00-15.00). The center of Helsinki is easy to explore on foot. An efficient public transport system consists of trams, buses and subways.

One-way tickets can be purchased from the driver (2 euros), at the bus station, at the travel agency or at kiosks. Tourist ticket(for 1/3/5 days) gives the right to unlimited use of the entire transport network for the corresponding period of time. Tram 3-T makes a figure eight around the center.

• Accommodation in Helsinki

There are many accommodation options, as well as mid-range hotels. Cheaper hotels will provide you with private rooms without bathrooms. There are a few hostels, but they can get full in the summer. or sleeping places are available at the Hotel Booking Center at the station for 5 euros, by phone or email for free.

I). Hostels Helsinki

1). Hostel Academica– Double rooms and dormitories. Discounts for students using an НІ card. Opening hours: June to August only. Location: Hietanimenkatu 14;

2). Hostel Erottajanpuisto– The youth hostel is located in the city center, next to Mannerheimintie. Single, double, triple and quadruple rooms are available for accommodation. Location: Uudenmaankatu 9;

3). Hostel Eurohostel– The largest hostel in Finland. Located next to the ferry pier. Free sauna. Location: Linnankatu 9;

4). Hostel Omapohja– There are no shared bedrooms here, only private rooms (some with private facilities). Breakfast 6 euros. Location: Itainen teatterikuja 3;

5). Hostel Stadion– Cheap hostel, open all year round, 2 kilometers from the center. Trams 3-T, 7-A, 7-B and 10 to the stadium. Breakfast 5.30 euros. Location: Olympic Stadium;

6). Hostel Summer Satakunta– Open only from June to August, rooms; breakfast included. Location: Lapinrinne 1.

II). Hotels in Helsinki

1). Hotel Anna– A small hotel in the center with slightly shabby furnishings. Location: Annankatu 1;

2). Hotel Arthur– Nice rooms with amenities. Location: Vuorikatu 19;

3). Hotel Finn– Quiet establishment almost in the center. Location: Kalevankatu 3-b;

4). Hotel Kongressikoti– Clean hotel near Senate Square. Discounts are available for long-term stays. Location: Snellmaninkatu 15-a.

III). Camping Helsinki

1). Camping Rastila– 13 kilometers east of the center, at the end of the metro line. Night buses 90-N and 93-N (until 1.30). There are houses. Location: Karavaanikatu 4.

Sights of Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital of Finland since 1812, was completely rebuilt after the fire of 1808 in accordance with its new status: a network of wide streets appeared, and neoclassical brick buildings were erected, copying the buildings of St. Petersburg. From Senate Square to Esplanadi Park, this magnificence has survived to this day.

The square is dominated by a recently restored Cathedral, designed by Carl Ludwig Engel and completed in 1852, after the death of the architect. An empty interior can be frustrating. Under the cathedral there is a crypt (entrance from Kirkkokatu), where exhibitions are often held. From the eastern end of the square you can see the domes of the Orthodox Assumption Cathedral with a magnificent interior.

A little further away is the Katajanokka harbor area, where warehouses have been converted into expensive restaurants and housing under the city's development program. A block south of Senate Square, Sofiankatu 4, is the new City Museum with an impressive Time exhibition on Helsinki.

• From Mannerheimintie to Kaivopuisto Park

Beyond the tram lines from the harbor lies the wide Esplanadi boulevard, a favorite holiday destination for Finns. To the southwest, on Annankatu, is wooden church Vanhakirkko is the first Lutheran church built in Helsinki after the city acquired the status of capital. At the end of the street Kasarmikatu spreads big park Kaivopuisto with mineral springs.

North of Bulevardi are the city's main attractions. At the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie there is a constructivist brick building of the largest department store in Stockman. Continuing along Mannerheimintie, go down the steps leading to the Tunnels cake complex and one of the city's most attractive buildings - Central Station(1914).

Nearby stands the imposing National Theatre, the country's main dramatic stage since 1872. Opposite the bus station, Kaivokatu 2, is the Athenaeum Art Museum, where you can see works from the late 19th century, including works by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Albert Edelfelt depicting scenes from the Finnish epic Kalevala, and paintings by Juho Rissanen depicting peasant life.

Mannerheimintie leads north past the stunning Kjasma building, a museum of modern art. In the museum, made of glass and metal, you can see installations that involve sound, moving images and smells. Opposite, a recently restored 1930s building houses the Lasipalatsi multimedia complex with fashionable shops and cafes.

A little further on the left side of the street is the pompous parliament building of 1931. To the north is the National Museum, dedicated to the history of Finland from prehistoric times to the present day. Many exhibits come to life through films, costumes and touch screens.

Against National Museum The palace "" (according to the record) is located, designed in the 1970s by the country's best architect Alvar Aalto. The interior is dominated by asymmetry and wavy lines.

A little further you can see the Olympic Stadium, which was originally created to host the 1940 Games (the second post-war Olympics took place here in 1952). Its tower offers a beautiful panorama of the city and the southern coast. Then you can return to the city center and the Hietaniemi cemetery, where Mannerheim, Engel and Aalto are buried (at the main entrance).

To the east of the cemetery, Lutherinkatu 3, is the Temppeliaukio Church, consecrated in 1969. This unusual spherical structure is built into granite rock, and the ceiling is a huge copper disk, separated from the stone walls by a ribbed ring of glass.

• Suomenlinna Fortress

Spanning six islands, Suomenlinna Fortress was built by the Swedes in 1748 to defend Helsinki from naval attacks and is the largest sea fort in the world. You can get here by ferry from the harbor (every half hour; 2 euros one way; 3.60 euros return) and join the one starting at the pier. There are several museums in Suomenlinna, the best of which is the Suomenlinna Museum of the same name, dedicated to the history of the island.

Food, drink and nightlife in Helsinki

Many cafes and restaurants offer lunches special price. In the evening you can dine at an ethnic restaurant or grill bar. At the Kauppahalli market at the end of Etelaesplanadi, venison kebabs are sold from stalls. There are several student canteens in Helsinki, two of which are located in the center - Aleksanterinkatu 5 and Yliopistonkatu 3. You can drink in restaurants and pubs, but on Friday and Saturday it is worth arriving early to get a seat. ALKO stores are located at Fabianinkatu 9-11 and Kaivokatu 10.

Helsinki is bustling night life, and many establishments offer live music. During the summer, free events are organized in Kaivopuisto Park almost every Sunday. There are a number of clubs and discos that charge a small entrance fee (about 5 euros). Current events can be found in the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper or the free City magazine. Tickets can be ordered from Tiketti, Yrjonkatu 29-c.

• Restaurants and cafes in Helsinki

1). Restaurant Aino– Popular place in the city center with Finnish delicacies. Closed on Sundays. Location: Pohjoisesplanadi 21;

2). Cafe Ekberg– Expensive sandwiches and cakes in a fin-de-siecle atmosphere. Location: Bulevardi 9;

3). Cafe Fazer– The cafe at the largest chocolate factory in Finland has earned enormous popularity. Location: Kluuvikatu 3;

4). Restaurant Kasakka– Old Russian restaurant with excellent food. Location: Meritullinkatu 13;

5). Restaurant Lappi– Lapland cuisine in a restaurant stylized as a Sami hut. Inexpensive lunches; In the evening prices go up. Location: Annankatu 22;

6). Restaurant Lasipalatsi– Modern Finnish cuisine and a magnificent view of Kjasma. Location: Mannerheimintie 22-24;

7). Pizzeria Mamma Rosa– A classic pizzeria serving fish steaks and pasta. Location: Runeberginkatu 55;

8). Cafe Namaskaar– Popular place with buffet in the evenings; vegetarian dishes. Location: Bulevardi 6 and Mannerheimintie 100;

9). New Bamboo Center Restaurant- Cheap, fun and fast. One of the best Indian restaurants in Helsinki. Location: Annankatu 29;

10). Restaurant Strindberg– The restaurant upstairs serves modern Scandinavian cuisine. The street cafe below is one of the most popular places in Helsinki. Location: Pohjoisesplanadi 33.

• Bars in Helsinki

1). Bar Angleterre– Large selection of British beers. Location: Fredrikinkatu 47;

2). Bar Ateljee– Beautiful panorama, stylish interior. Location: on the roof of the Torni Hotel, Yrjonkatu 26;

3). Bar No. 9– International menu (vegetarian dishes available), large selection of different types of beer. Acceptable prices. Location: Uudenmaankatu 9;

4). Bar Elite“Once upon a time, artists gathered here, many of whom paid by painting the walls of the bar. In summer it is nice to sit on the terrace. Location: Etelainen Hesperiankatu 22;

5). Kaisla Bar– One of the most popular bars in Helsinki. Location: Vilhonkatu 4;

6). Wanha Bar– Relatively cheap cafe-bar and self-service establishment. There is a beer hall in the basement, and rock concerts are held in other parts of the building. Location: Mannerheimintie 3.

• Nightlife in Helsinki

1). Botta establishment– Groovy dance music of different styles and trends. Location: Museokatu 10;

2). Nightclub Heartbreakers– A club in the very center of the capital, where you can dance the night away. Location: Mannerheimintie 5;

3). Nightclub Kaarle X11– This nightclub is located on two floors. Finnish pop music is always playing on one of the dance floors. Location: Kasarmikatu 40;

4). Nightclub Saunabar– One of the most unusual clubs in the city, where legendary DJs perform. There is a sauna. Location: Eerikinkatu 27;

5). Storyville establishment– Popular jazz place with good food. Location: Museokatu 8.

• Helsinki on the map of Finland

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