|
The attractive city of Helsinki pulls double duty as the capital of Finland and the largest city in the Nordic country. Famous for its Art Nouveau and neoclassical architecture, and stunning peninsula locale, Helsinki is a favorite for international meetings and events. The city was founded in 1550. While it struggled through periods of poverty, wars, and disease, Helsinki survived to be one of today's fastest growing urban centers in the European Union.
Present day Helsinki is Finland's hub for business, media, finance, medicine, culture and international diplomacy. Accordingly, there is a large collection of museums and galleries in the city that also plays host to the country's largest foreign population. There are over 100 nationalities who call Helsinki home, including Russians, Estonians, Swedes, Serbians, Chinese, Iraqis and Germans. Helsinki spreads around a number of bays and peninsulas and over a number of islands. While the city's suburbs are spread out, Helsinki has a small and intimate nature about it's inner-communities and streets. The city's size makes it easy to walk around, and the cafés and markets are always welcoming even in the winter months. Helsinki's nearby islands are summer favorites for visitors and locals alike, as are the many miles of coastline in and around the city limits. Helsinki's coastal position makes it an ideal area to explore via sightseeing ferries that leave from the port of Helsinki. Some of the more notable islands include Seurasaari, Lauttasaari and Korkeasaari - which is also the country's biggest zoo - as well as the fortress island of Suomenlinna and the military island of Santahamina.
While many of Helsinki's main attractions are related to the sea, there are notable inland attractions, including the Helsinki Central Park that stretches over ten kilometers from the inner city to the northern border of Helsinki, and is an important recreational area for local residents.
|
|
Linnanmäki Amusement Park
For the fun-loving visitor, a trip to the Linnanmmäki Amusement Park is a must. Featuring no less than five rollercoasters, Linnanmmäki has entertained families since the 1950s. The amusement park has an enormous selection of fun rides for all ages, including ultra scary to more easy-going rides. The most popular ride in the park is a special wooden rollercoaster that is over 50 years old. Linnanmmäki also offers numerous arcade halls with the latest video and digital games as well as an outdoor stage where entertaining performances are delivered hourly.
National Museum of Finland
The National Museum of Finland is the biggest historical museum in Helsinki, displaying a vast historical collection from prehistoric times to the present day. The Museum's collection includes major archaeological finds and historical, numismatic and ethnological collections that have been put together for over 170 years. The museum building is designed as a romantic neo-medieval castle, which in itself is a tourist attraction. Other major historical museums in the city include the Helsinki City Museum, which introduces visitors to Helsinki's 500 year history and the development of Finnish society and culture from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the present. The University of Helsinki also has many significant museums, including the University Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Finnish National Gallery
The Finnish National Gallery consists on three sub-museums: The Ateneum Art Museum for classical Finnish art, the Sinebrychoff Art Museum for classical European art, and the Kiasma Art Museum for modern art. The old Ateneum, a neo-renaissance palace from the 19th century, is one of the city's major historical buildings; whereas the highly modern Kiasma is probably the most debated building in Helsinki. Founded in 1990, and built over the following eight years, the Kiasma Art Museum exhibits the contemporary art collection of the Finnish National Gallery. The museum's goal is to make contemporary art better known and strengthen its status. Visitors will not be disappointed in the fascinating and informative array of modern art works on display.
|
