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Viva Helsinki Cathedral

Helsinki Cathedral – Helsingin Tuomiokirkko

What is Helsinki Cathedral

The most iconic attraction in Helsinki. This cathedral defines the Helsinki Skyline and is the star of all postcards. Very easily accessible and free to enter, it is a must-see for all visitors to Helsinki. Finish off by seeing the statues in Senate Square just below the cathedral and have a snack sitting on the high stairs leading to the attraction.

-Visit Helsinki

"A distinctive landmark in the Helsinki cityscape, with its tall, green dome surrounded by four smaller domes, the building is in the neoclassical style. It was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel as the climax of his Senate Square layout: it is surrounded by other, smaller buildings designed by him. The church's plan is a Greek cross (a square centre and four equilateral arms), symmetrical in each of the four cardinal directions, with each arm's façade featuring a colonnade and pediment. Engel originally intended to place a further row of columns on the western end to mark the main entrance opposite the eastern altar, but this was never built."

- Helsinki Cathedral @ Wikipedia

Helsinki Cathedral @ Youtube

Helsinki Cathedral in a Nutshell

  • Completed 1852
  • Seats 1300 people
  • 62 meters high
  • Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel
  • 500 000 visitors in a year

How To Get To Helsinki Cathedral?

Address: Unioninkatu 29, 00170 Helsinki

From Downtown Helsinki:

  1. Hop On Hop Off - Private Tourist Bus Operator
  2. Tram lines 2, 4, 5 and 7. Stay off at Senaatintori-stop
  3. Walk from city center. It is 15 minutes walk from Kamppi and 10 minutes walk from the Centrail Railway Station

What to do at Helsinki Cathedral?

Get your cameras out and start shooting! The wide senate's square just below the cathedral makes it a perfect spot to take some beautiful sightseeing photos. Get your family on the stairs just before the cathedral and have yourself a new social media profile picture. The cathedral is being used as a church and such its main purpose is to hold religious events. If you're lucky during a weekend, you might catch a Finnish couple getting married!

Popular as a picnic spot or a quick break location to gather one's thoughts, the chairs offer a beautiful view of the surrounding are and the skyline that defines Helsinki. Sit a for a while, listen to the sounds of the sea and seagulls and take a walk around the cathedral, admiring its architechture.

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Sibelius Monument

Sibelius Monument – Sibelius Monumentti

What is Sibelius Monument?

In the Sibelius park is the world famous composer Jean Sibelius' (1865-1957) monument by Eila Hiltunen. It was unveiled 7 September 1967. The Sibelius Monument, resembling organ pipes, is made of welded steel with over 600 pipes and with the bust of the composer on one side. The monument is one of Helsinki's most popular statues and one of the most well-known tourist attractions.

-Visit Helsinki

How To Get To Sibelius Monument?

Address: Sibeliuksen puisto/Sibelius Park

From Downtown Helsinki:

  1. Hop On Hop Off - Private Tourist Bus Operator
  2. Tram lines 2, 4 and 10.  Stay off at Töölön Halli-station and walk west 1 km until you reach the park. Route Map
  3. Bus route 24. Rajasaarentie-bus stop. Least walking.
  4. Bus routes 39, 41, 42 and 69 from Kamppi Bus Station. Stay off at Linnakoskenkatu-bus stop.
  5. Fastest and easiest way is with a bicycle. Take the yellow "Kaupunkipyörä" Citybike. Read more.

What to do at Sibelius Monument?

The monument itself is beautiful, take your time looking at the art and learn about the greatest composer of Finland. In the summer, there are fresh juice vendors, handicraft vendors and an ice cream stall open as well as a gift shop. 

It is a good idea to head west from the monument and walk along the seaside to admire Finnish nature. If you want to make a longer walk, you walk south along the seaside and get to Hietalahti Beach, good for swimming and sunbathing in the summer.

Toilets are available west of the monument, under the hill next to the ice cream stand.

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