Helsinki Unveiled: A Walking Tour of Architectural Marvels
Stop 1: Fazer Cafe kluuvikatu
Your walking tour begins at Fazer Cafe, which is know for its chocolates. As the brand's flagship cafe, visitors can indulge in various delicious cakes, pastries, and coffee. Additionally, the cafe offers a section where Fazer sweets and gifts can be purchased.
Optional Stop: National Library of Finland
Swing by the library and pop in for a bit. To get there, head north on Kluuvikatu, turn right onto Yliopistonkatu and turn right onto Unioninkatu. You’ll be walking a distance of 400 m.
The National Library of Finland is not a typical tourist attraction, but its main interior hall is worth visiting. It showcases mesmerizing murals and impressive marble columns. The columns are adorned with gold leaf on their pinnacles and the domed ceiling is decorated with images and ornaments that represent knowledge and learning. An indoor stop to warm up or cool down depending on the season.
Stop 2: Senate Square
Your next stop.
Helsinki's central square, known as the Senate Square, has retained its prominence for centuries, serving as the city's primary gathering place since the 17th century. In 1808, under Russian rule, the square was reconstructed in its present form.
Stop 3: Helsinki Cathedral
Continue on to the Cathedral.
In the city of Helsinki, the Helsinki Cathedral stands as an iconic structure that captures the essence of the cityscape. With its striking chalk-white hue and elegant blue domes, the cathedral commands attention as it proudly overlooks the Senate Square. The grandeur of the cathedral is further enhanced by the majestic stairs that lead up to it from the square.
Designed by the talented Carl Ludwig Engel, the construction of the Helsinki Cathedral reached completion in 1852, a remarkable 12 years after the architect's passing.
Stop 4: Aleksanterinkatu
Next, make your way to Helsinki’s oldest street. Here, you'll discover numerous cafes and restaurants. If you're in search of a quick bite, IZZA City Pizza is a great option. Along the street, you can find a range of international eateries, from sushi to Syrian mezze at Tawook Lab.
Aleksanterinkatu offers a vibrant commercial experience. Stretching from the Presidential Palace to its meeting point with Mannerheimintie, it is a bustling hub of fashionable shops, boutiques, and lively bars. Stroll along this iconic street to soak in the city's charm and catch a glimpse of Helsinki's charming old trams in action. Don't miss the flagship Stockmann department store, the largest of its kind in the Nordic region, adding to the street's allure.
Stop 5: Pohjola Insurance Building
As you start walking down Aleksanterinkatu, don't miss a stop by the Pohjola Insurance Building.
Built in 1901 by architect Eliel Saarinen, every molding, windowsill, and doorway on the building's exterior is decorated with a carved stone figure. The term “Pohjola” denotes a mythical land from the Finnish epic Kalevala, where the Northern region of Pohjola was governed by an evil witch. It was also thought that the roots of the World Tree were located in Pohjola, which may explain the numerous reliefs of trees and squirrels adorning the building’s facade. More generally, the word signifies any northern direction. Considering its mythological inspiration, it’s unsurprising that the Pohjola Insurance company chose to embellish their building with enduring statues of monsters, fools, animals, and nature.
Stop 6: Kamppi Chapel
The Kamppi Chapel serves as a non-denominational refuge for those seeking solace from the bustling life of Helsinki. This striking structure is situated in Narinkka Square. With its oval shape inside and out, it is often characterized as neutral, austere, or unembellished. This simplicity resembles many multi-faith prayer rooms worldwide. However, its minimalist design does not diminish its significance. Constructed as part of the World Design Capital program that Helsinki won in 2012, the Chapel received the International Architecture Award in 2010.
Stop 7: Amos Rex
The design was created by JKMM Architects, recognized for their projects such as the Turku Main Library and the Finnish pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. This new development showcased a captivating fusion of historical and modern elements. The design featured vaulted domes, enabling a spacious, pillar-free interior. Constructed from on-site cast reinforced concrete, these domes were not only structurally efficient but also enhanced the versatility of the space. Skylights were strategically positioned to frame views of nearby landmarks, including the central chimney, linking the underground museum to the surrounding cityscape.
Stop 8: Central Railway Station
Helsinki Central Railway Station, designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1905 and inaugurated in 1919, exemplifies the late-Jugendstil architectural style. Widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful railway stations, it serves as a significant symbol of Helsinki, accommodating nearly half a million visitors daily.
Stop 9: Museum of Contemporary Art
Kiasma is a contemporary art museum part of the Finnish National Gallery, primarily dedicated to showcasing Finnish contemporary art. Its main functions include organizing changing exhibitions, expanding its collection, and conducting research. The museum emphasizes presenting the collection through annually changing thematic exhibitions and commissions new works to further enrich its offerings.
Stop 10: Oodi Library
The National Library of Finland, established in 1844 and designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, is the oldest and largest scholarly library in the country. Notable for its 19th-century neoclassical architectural style, it represents a significant cultural asset in Helsinki. An annex, designed by Gustaf Nyström, was added in the early 20th century, further enhancing its scholarly resources and architectural significance.
Stop 11: Temppeliaukion Church
Excavated directly into solid rock, the Temppeliaukio church is situated in the heart of Helsinki, at the end of Fredrikinkatu. Because of its special architecture, the church, completed in 1969, is one of the main attractions in Helsinki. The church hall is covered with a dome, lined with copper and supported on the rock walls by reinforced concrete beams. The interior walls are of rugged rock and rubble wall. Before noon, the light spreads from the row of windows surrounding the roof periphery to the altar wall, where an ice-age crevice serves as the altarpiece.
Other Stops
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