I joined the Helsinki Free Walking Tour at 12:00 PM starting from the Helsinki Cathedral. We learned about the grand Senate Square and the neoclassical buildings surrounding it, which form the historical heart of the city. We also saw the Prime Minister’s Office, a majestic building that serves as the official seat for the Finnish government.
We walked to the Bank of Finland and saw the Johan Vilhelm Snellman Statue, which honors the statesman who established the Finnish Markka. Nearby, we admired the House of the Estates, a stunning Renaissance Revival building originally used by the non-noble orders of the Finnish Parliament.
Then, we crossed the Love Bridge, where couples hang locks to symbolize their commitment, and saw the Enso-Gutzeit (Stora Enso) office building. Designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto, its distinctive façades are clad with white and grey-blue Carrara marble.
We also visited the Uspenski Cathedral, the center of the Finnish Orthodox faith. It stands prominently on a hilltop and is famous for its ornate red-brick exterior and golden cupolas that overlook the harbor.
We strolled through Tove Jansson Park, dedicated to the creator of the Moomins, and headed back toward the water. Along the way, we spotted the SkyWheel Helsinki, which offers panoramic views of the city from its waterfront location.
Our next stop was the Market Square, where we saw the Helsinki City Hall and the Supreme Court, as well as Tsarina’s Stone, an obelisk commemorating the Empress’s visit, and the iconic Havis Amanda sea-nymph fountain.
We passed by the Espa Stage as we walked across the Esplanade, the city’s favorite green promenade. We stopped at the Statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the national poet of Finland, and learned about the vibrant Helsinki Design District.
We continued to the Elias Lönnrot memorial park, which honors the compiler of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. Nearby, we saw The Old Church of Helsinki, a beautiful wooden church that is the oldest surviving church in the city center.
We passed by Hotel Torni, which was the tallest building in Helsinki for many years and served as a lookout during wartime. Our last stop was the Kamppi Chapel, also known as the Chapel of Silence, an architecturally unique wooden space intended for quiet reflection in the middle of a busy square.