TRAVEL HELSINKI
GENERAL INFORMATION-Helsinki is the capitol and largest city of Finland .It is situated on the Gulf of Finland which is the arm of Baltic Sea. Helsinki also contains Espoo, Vantaa and Kaunianen. It is the north most urban area over one million people and northern most capitol. Helsinki is the Finland’s educational, financial and research centre. About 70% foreign companies have their offices at Helsinki. Helsinki is chosen World Design Capitol for 2012.It is the best city to live and stands at 8th position. Helsinki is located at 80 kms from Tallinn (Estonia) and 400kilometers of Stockholm, 300kilometers of Saint Petersburg .These cities have close historical connections with Helsinki. Helsinki shore line is around 100kilometers of coast and over 300 islands. South Harbour is the centre of maritime city life. Sightseeing cruises and boats to maritime fortress Suomenlinna and Korkeasaari Zoo departs from the Market Square. Kamp Galleria is a unique shopping centre with more than 50 specialist shops.
HISTORY - Helsinki was established as a trading city by Gustav I of Sweden in 1550, now known as Talli. Russia defeated Sweden in the Finnish War and annexed Finland as Grand Duchy of Finland in 1809.Czar Alexander I of Russia moved the Finnish capitol from Turku to Helsinki in 1812 to reduce the influence of Sweden in Finland and bring the capitol closer to their capitol St. Petersburg .The Czar of Russia wanted that the city of Helsinki be like a royal city, so he ordered to make it like a royal city and the downtown (city centre) of Helsinki to resemble as the St. Petersburg. Therefore there are several neoclassical buildings in Helsinki. The Senate Square is surrounded by Government Palace-Helsinki University and Cathedral.
GEOGRAPHY -The city is spread in number of bays and peninsulas and islands. Major Islands are Seurasaari, Lauttasaari and Korkeasaai (here is the zoo), Suomenlinna (Sveaborg), Santahamina (military island), Philajasari Island (summer spot).
AREA-715.49Km2
POPULATION-6, 03,000
LOCATION- 60°10′15″N 024°56′15″E
TIME ZONE -UTC +2 SUMMERS –UTC +3
CLIMATE - The climate of the city is as follows-
POPULATION-6, 03,000
LOCATION- 60°10′15″N 024°56′15″E
TIME ZONE -UTC +2 SUMMERS –UTC +3
CLIMATE - The climate of the city is as follows-
AIRPORT -Airport is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) is the main international airport of Helsinki metropolitan region. It is located in Vantaa about 5 kilometres west of Tikkurila and 20kilometers north of Helsinki. It serves about 14, 00,000 passengers. It has three runways and two terminals .Airbus A340 is in service .The airport is domestic and international hub for Finn Air. At the airport the Hi-Fi service is free. There are 130 non-stop flights and 350 departures daily. The latest technology, innovative designs and personalized service is available. Two terminals are 250 meters apart and linked by internal pedestrian connection both airside and landside.
NORDIC COUNTRIES-The Nordic countries are makeup of a region in Northern Europe of five nations- Denmark-Norway-Sweden-Finland-Iceland and their associated territories: Faroe Islands-Greenland-Aland .They share much common history, societies and political system.
SAUNA - Sauna is the contribution by Finland to the world. In Finland there are about 20, 00,000 saunas, they are in the offices, cottages and even in the Parliament. In ancient times sauna is the cleanest place where child were born and it was the first building before the house was constructed. It is a wooden room heated to 700C to 1200C.The temperature is regulated by throwing water onto the stoves and resulting rush of heat is experienced good. In Finland some wrap leaf of Birch which creates aroma and improves blood circulation, is used. In public places it is customary to sit on a paper towel so not to catch disease from the bench. In winter it is common to go for a swim in an ice hole in a lake or roll down on the snow ground, this is repeated few times then take cold beer and roasted sausages over the fire and enjoy.
ROVANIEMI- Rovaniemi is the capitol of Lapland in Finland, located at the Northern Arctic Circle .It is laying on the north and south border to the arctic line .There are eight different seasons. Each season offers an opportunity in different lights. At Rovaniemi one can experience Christmas round the year. Rovaniemi is the hometown of Santa Claus and met on any day of the year.
NORTHERN LIGHTS- Aurora Borealis in the sky can be seen in Finland .The best place to spot them is during winter in the far north, when the sky is clear. The ski resort of Saariselka is famous for Aurora viewers. RELIIGION -77.2% are Evangelical Luthern Church of Finland .20.1% have no religion affiliation .1.1% are Finnish Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church. Muslim, Jewish and non-Christian communities are only 1.1%.The main Luthern and Orthodox Churches are national churches of Finland .During the Protestant Reformation, the Finns gradually converted to Lutheranism. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland sees itself as part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. It is Lutheran in doctrine, following the teachings of Martin Luther.
LANGUAGE- Finnish (90%) and Swedish (5.4%) are the official languages of Finland. The best known foreign language is English (63%).English is studied by most children’s as a compulsory subject from third grade in the school.
ECONOMY-Finland has a highly industrialized economy with per capita equal to that of European countries as France, Germany, Belgium and UK. The forests, making it one of the world’s leading providing raw wood material to processing industries. Companies of Finland are-Ahlstrom, M-real and UPM-paper, DNA-Telecommunications , Finnair-Air Transport, Fiskars-Kitchen and garden equipment, Kone-elevators and escalators, Nokia-telecommunications , Silja Line-Shipping, VR-rail transport, Yle-public broadcasting. Rovio-Information Technology for Angry Birds. The world’s biggest cruise ships are built in Finnish shipyard. Its per capita income is $49,350 which ranks 3rd. Finland joined European Union in 1995 and Euro zone in 1999.
STATES-Finland consists of 19 regions called Maakunta in Finnish .They are governed by regional councils. The regional councils are elected by municipal councils. The regions are Lapland, Kainuu, and Ahvenanmaa etc. There are 336 municipalities and most have less than 6000 residents. The capital region comprises Helsinki-Vantaa-Espoo-Kaunianinen and forms a conurbation of one million.
FEW MAIN CITIES-
SAUNA - Sauna is the contribution by Finland to the world. In Finland there are about 20, 00,000 saunas, they are in the offices, cottages and even in the Parliament. In ancient times sauna is the cleanest place where child were born and it was the first building before the house was constructed. It is a wooden room heated to 700C to 1200C.The temperature is regulated by throwing water onto the stoves and resulting rush of heat is experienced good. In Finland some wrap leaf of Birch which creates aroma and improves blood circulation, is used. In public places it is customary to sit on a paper towel so not to catch disease from the bench. In winter it is common to go for a swim in an ice hole in a lake or roll down on the snow ground, this is repeated few times then take cold beer and roasted sausages over the fire and enjoy.
ROVANIEMI- Rovaniemi is the capitol of Lapland in Finland, located at the Northern Arctic Circle .It is laying on the north and south border to the arctic line .There are eight different seasons. Each season offers an opportunity in different lights. At Rovaniemi one can experience Christmas round the year. Rovaniemi is the hometown of Santa Claus and met on any day of the year.
NORTHERN LIGHTS- Aurora Borealis in the sky can be seen in Finland .The best place to spot them is during winter in the far north, when the sky is clear. The ski resort of Saariselka is famous for Aurora viewers. RELIIGION -77.2% are Evangelical Luthern Church of Finland .20.1% have no religion affiliation .1.1% are Finnish Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church. Muslim, Jewish and non-Christian communities are only 1.1%.The main Luthern and Orthodox Churches are national churches of Finland .During the Protestant Reformation, the Finns gradually converted to Lutheranism. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland sees itself as part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. It is Lutheran in doctrine, following the teachings of Martin Luther.
LANGUAGE- Finnish (90%) and Swedish (5.4%) are the official languages of Finland. The best known foreign language is English (63%).English is studied by most children’s as a compulsory subject from third grade in the school.
ECONOMY-Finland has a highly industrialized economy with per capita equal to that of European countries as France, Germany, Belgium and UK. The forests, making it one of the world’s leading providing raw wood material to processing industries. Companies of Finland are-Ahlstrom, M-real and UPM-paper, DNA-Telecommunications , Finnair-Air Transport, Fiskars-Kitchen and garden equipment, Kone-elevators and escalators, Nokia-telecommunications , Silja Line-Shipping, VR-rail transport, Yle-public broadcasting. Rovio-Information Technology for Angry Birds. The world’s biggest cruise ships are built in Finnish shipyard. Its per capita income is $49,350 which ranks 3rd. Finland joined European Union in 1995 and Euro zone in 1999.
STATES-Finland consists of 19 regions called Maakunta in Finnish .They are governed by regional councils. The regional councils are elected by municipal councils. The regions are Lapland, Kainuu, and Ahvenanmaa etc. There are 336 municipalities and most have less than 6000 residents. The capital region comprises Helsinki-Vantaa-Espoo-Kaunianinen and forms a conurbation of one million.
FEW MAIN CITIES-
- City Population Area
- Helsinki 603000 213.70
- Espoo 256000 312.26
- Vantaa 205000 238.37
- Turku 179600 245.67
- Tampere 218000 525.03
HELSINKI SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS-
001-SENATE SQUARE (SENAATINTORI)(at historic centre)-Senate Square is dominated by four landmark buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822-1852.They are Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace ,Main Building of University of Helsinki and Sederholm House. The Sederholm is the oldest building dating back 1757.Here a statue of Russian Czar Alexander II stands in the centre of the square, which is very beautiful.
002-HELSINKI CATHEDRAL (TUOMIOKIRKKO) (at historic centre) -It is the unofficial symbol of city and striking white cathedral dominates the central Senate Square. It was completed in 1852 and based on the design of Carl Ludvig Engel and have 12 apostles on the roof of cathedral. It is a distinctive landmark in the Helsinki cityscape, with its tall, green dome surrounded by four smaller domes, the building is in the neoclassical style. 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 .The church was originally built from 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It was also known as St Nicholas' Church until the independence of Finland in 1917.
003-STATUE OF ALEXANDER II (at historic centre)-A statue of Emperor Alexander II is located in the centre of the square. The statue, erected in 1894, was built to commemorate the re-establishment of Finland in 1863, as well as several reforms that increased Finland's autonomy from Russia. The statue comprises Alexander on a pedestal surrounded by figures representing the law, culture and the peasants. During the Russification of Finland from 1899 onwards, the statue became a symbol in Finland as "the good czar". Today the statue is one of the major tourist landmarks on the city, standing as a monument to Finland's relationship with Imperial Russia.
004-GOVERNMENT PALACE (at historic centre)-The Government Palace in Helsinki is the executive office building of the Government of Finland. It is located next to the Senate Square in central Helsinki. Work on building the Senate began in 1818. The Senate moved to the palace overlooking Senate Square in 1822. In addition to the organs of the Senate itself, the Senate building was in the early years also home to a wide range of other important public agencies and offices, including the predecessor of the Bank of Finland, Postal Directorate, Customs Board and National Archives. The Imperial Alexander Pharmacy was also located in the Senate building before it moved to the building completed on the opposite side of Senate Square in 1832.Today, the Government Palace houses the Prime Minister’s Office, the Office of the Chancellor of Justice and most departments of the Ministry of Finance.
005-UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI)(at historic centre)-The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available. Around 36,500 students are enrolled in the degree programs of the university spread across 11 faculties and 11 research institutes. The University comprises 11 faculties, 500 professors and almost 40,000 students.
006-USPENSKI CATHEDRAL (at historic centre/market square)-This building was completed in 1868.It is the biggest Orthodox Church edifice in Western Europe. The redbrick façade reflects Russian impact and the interior reflects the Byzantine traditions. The domes are onion shape and are five in numbers and are topped with 22-carate gold. Uspenski Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Helsinki, Finland, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its name comes from the Old Church Slavonic word Uspenie, which denotes the Dormition. The Cathedral is set upon a hillside on the Katajanokka peninsula overlooking the city. On the back of the cathedral, there is a plaque commemorating Russian Emperor Alexander II, who was the sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Finland during the cathedral's construction. The cathedral has several valuable icons, among others St. Nicolas – The Wonder Maker, which was stolen on 16 August 2007 between midday and 1 p.m. in broad daylight while hundreds of tourists were visiting the cathedral. The icon is now being searched for in Finland as well as abroad.Another icon, Theotokos of Kozeltshan was stolen in June 2010, but recovered in February 2011.
007-THE CHURCH IN THE ROCK (TEMPPELIAUKION)-The church was dug out of solid rock and resembles a crashed UFO. The roof is made of copper strips, completed in 1969 and is very attractive. The stone-hewn church is located in the heart of Helsinki. The interior was excavated and built directly out of solid rock and is bathed in natural light which enters through the glazed dome. The church is used frequently as a concert venue due to its excellent acoustics. The acoustic quality is created by the rough, virtually unworked rock surfaces. This church is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city; half a million people visit it annually.Organ builder Veikko Virtanen manufactured the church organ, which has 43 stops .There are no bells at the church.
008-SIBELIUS MONUMENT - Sibelius Park has monument of famous composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), which was opened in 1967.It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Helsinki located at Sibelius Park. Sibelius monument is a steel made sculpture at Töölö. It is a work of art resembling organs pipes, it consists of 600 hollow welded pipes in a wave like pattern and weighing over 24 metric tons. The monument is 8.5 meters high, 10.5 meters long and 6.5 meters deep. The monument was to be completed in 1966 during the Jean Sibelius's birth centenary, but it was completed only in 1967. The project was of the Sibelius Society. The monument is Finland's most famous abstract sculptures. A smaller version of the monument is located at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. A work with a similar concept, also designed by Hiltunen, is located at the grounds of the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Sibelius face relief-Abstract work is often seen as urkupillistönä. It is considered to be a good indicator of Jean Sibelius large-scale symphonic music, which still is able to separate the small details.
009-OLYMPIC STADIUM (at toolonlahti bay)-It is the largest stadium in the country .The stadium is best known for hosting 1952 Summer Olympics. It was renovated in 2005 for World Athletics Championships .There is a Museum of Sport in the building and can know about Finland’s sports history. The stadium tower is 72 meters high (14 story’s) and offers a secular view over Helsinki.
010-PARLIAMENT HOUSE- (at city centre and camppi)-It is located at Mannerheimintie on Arcadia Hill. Finland 200-seat parliament house was built in 1920 and inaugurated in 1931. Parliament House was designed in the classic style of the 1920s. The exterior is reddish Kalvola granite and the facade is lined by fourteen columns with Corinthian capitals. The building has five floors, each of which is unique. The floors are connected by a white marble staircase. Most important for visitors are the Main Lobby, the Stately Session Hall and the large Hall of State. The interior of Parliament House is graced by works of art. Parliament has over a thousand works in its collection. The best-known works are the five bronze sculptures in the Session Hall – “The Pioneer”.
011-PIHLAJASAARI- It is a very popular summer spot with sandy beaches and a restaurant.
012-NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINLAND(AT CITY CENTRE AND CAMPPI)-The museum exhibits the Finnish life from prehistoric times to the present time. The permanent exhibitions of the National Museum are divided into six parts. The appearance of the building reflects Finland's medieval churches and castles. The museum was built from 1905 to 1910 and opened to the public in 1916. The museum was named the Finnish National Museum after Finland's independence in 1917.
013-MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART KIASMA(AT CITY CENTRE AND CAMPPI)-It is located on Mannerheimintie in Helsinki. The museum exhibits the contemporary art collection of the Finnish National Gallery founded in 1990. Its central goal is to make contemporary art better known and strengthen its status. Its collection include Baltic, Nordic and Russian from 1960 onwards.
014-KAMPPI CENTRE AND NARINKKATORI SQUARE (at city centre and camppi)-The heart of Kamppi is a part of the Central Business District. A new pedestrian plaza on the same site, completed in 2005 as part of a recent redevelopment project, has been officially named "Narinkkatori" (Swedish: "Narinken") which comes from the name that the old Jewish market. The Helsinki Old Church and its adjacent park are located in the district of Kamppi. The central bus station of Helsinki is located in a modern terminal built entirely underground in Kamppi, and the Helsinki railway station is located only a few hundred meters away. A popular destination in Kamppi is Tennispalatsi, the largest cinema multiplex in Helsinki.
015-CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION(at city centre and camppi)-It is one of the finest examples of Finnish architecture, it was opened in 1919. The station is used by approximately 2,00,000 passengers per day, making it Finland's most-visited building. The station is mostly clad in Finnish granite, and its distinguishing features are its clock tower and the two pairs of statues holding the spherical lamps, lit at night-time, on either side of the main entrance.There are 19 platforms at the station. Helsinki station serves as a central hub for Finnish transport. There is a bus station on both sides of the main station building.The Helsinki Metro Rautatientori station is located under the main station building, linked through the Asematunneli pedestrian underpass and underground shopping centre complex, which has entrances in the main hall of the station and at various points in the surrounding city centre streets. The majority of Helsinki's tram routes pass in front of or to the west of the station. There are two regular bus connections between Helsinki Central Railway Station and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. One of them is a municipal connection operated by HSL. As an exception for HSL bus lines, the line can only be used for inter-city transport – once a passenger boards the bus they may only disembark after crossing the border to Vantaa. The other bus connection is a private express bus operated by Finnair.
016-ATENEUM ART CENTRE (at city centre and camppi)-It is the National Gallery of Finland. Ateneum Art Museum houses the largest collections of art in Finland with more than 20,000 works of art from the 1750s to the 1950s.The changing exhibitions are on display on the ground floor and in the exhibition halls on the second floor. Ateneum also organizes various workshops, guided tours and other programme.
017-MARKET SQUARE (KAUPPATORI)(at historic center)-It is a central square in Helsinki and most famous market places and tourist attractions in the city. It is located at the eastern end of the Esplanadi and bordering the Baltic Sea. This is the famous for foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs with café tents.
018-HAVIS AMANDA (at historic center)-Built in Paris in 1906, was erected beside the Market Square in 1908.It is a nude bronze statue and fountain made of granite .She is a mermaid who rises from the water with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions .The figure of maiden rising out of the Baltic Sea symbolizes Helsinki and its rebirth. The height of the statue is 194 centimetres and with the pedestal it stands 5 meters tall.
019-PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (at historic center)-It is situated on the north side of Esplandai, overlooking Market Square .Originally it was a house of a merchant known as Heidenstrauch who erected completed it in 1820.Latter on it was converted as a place for Governor-General of Finland .To made an official residence of Tsar of Russia –The Grand Duke of Finland, building was rebuild and refurnished and became the Imperial Palace in Helsinki in 1845. It was visited for the first time by a member of the Imperial family nine years later, in February 1854, when Tsar Nicholas I's younger son, Grand Duke Constantine, stayed there for a month. The Presidential Palace served as the official residence of all the Presidents of Finland up to 1993. The Palace contains private apartments and reception rooms for the President on its third floor, including the Yellow Room, the Red Waiting Room, and the President's Study. The Palace also contains the Office of the President, which includes offices for the Secretary General, the Special Counsel to the President and the Master of the Household. The Palace's State rooms include the Hall of State, the Dining Hall, and the Hall of Mirrors (the small Hall of State). They are used by the President for official functions and receptions. These include the promotion and appointment ceremony for Defence Forces and Frontier Guard cadets, State Banquets, and the Independence Day reception .Since Finland independence the building has served as the official residence of the President but now it used for Presidential functions. Presently the official residence of President is Mantyniemi in Meilahti district, near Seurasaari Island.
020-ESPLANADE PARK (at historic centre)-It is situated in the heart of Helsinki, the Esplanade serves as the promenade for tourists and a place to relax for locals. The Park is between Erottaja Square to the Market Square. And two Esplandai Boulevards constituting Esplanadi are Pohjoisesplanadi and Etelaesplanadi .The big green area between the two streets is very active in summer, where many Finns come to have a picnic. There are also numerous live music performances on a special outdoor stage in front of Cafe Kappeli. There is a statue of Johan Ludwig Runeberg by his son Walter Runeberg in the park. The park was originally opened in 1812.
021-CITY HALL (at city hall quater)- City Hall is located in front of Market Square-Katariinakatu- Sofiankatu. City Hall overlooks the Market Square. City Hall was originally designed as a hotel. After Helsinki was made the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1812, it needed new and better facilities for entertainment, especially since the Bock House, which had been the centre of social life up to then, became the official residence of the Governor-General. Tsar Nicholas I also took an interest in this project.The Hotel Seurahuone was designed by the German architect Carl Ludwig Engel and was completed in 1833. The hotel was quite large for its time. It contained business premises on the ground floor and a large banqueting room on the second floor. The hotel also had gambling rooms, but only 27 rooms for guests .The Hotel Seurahuone was the scene of many Finnish premieres .The Seurahuone operated as a hotel up to 1913, although the city acquired the building in 1901 in order to build a new city hall on the lot. Part of the building was placed in official use immediately. During the First World War a hospital for Russian naval personnel was located there .The building was refurbished in the early 1920s and was converted for its new purpose. City Hall was thoroughly renovated in 1965-70.City Hall presently houses the City Board's meeting room, the City Office and entertaining facilities. The City Council meets on the second floor of this building. The City Council meets on alternate Wednesdays. The public can watch meetings from the gallery.
022-SUOMENLINNA- It is the maritime fortress that was built off the coast of Helsinki in 1748 and called the Gibralter of the North .It is an example of European military architecture .The Swedish made to protect their eastern flank. In 1808 Russian invaded Finland and without fight the fortress was besieged. It is living district and home to 850 residents. The visit of fortress requires about 2-4 hours and explored on foot. From Market Square one can take a ferry operated by JT-Lines and it takes 15-20 minutes. In the fort a high-quality cultural and music events are held .The main sights are-i-Suomenlinna Church ii-Castle Courtyard, Tomb of Augustin Ehrenvard iii-Dry Dock, Panorama Terrace iv-Kustaanmiekka sandbanks and guns v-King’s Gate. It also houses restaurants, café, theatres and museums and is a very popular place in summer for picnic.
023-LINNANMAKI AMUSMENT PARK-It is one of the oldest amusement parks in Finland. This city park is located just north of the city centre of Helsinki. The park is located on a hill (Linnanmäki in Finnish means Castle Hill) with nice views of the city. The park feels rather compact and has no discernible theming, the rides and attraction are in close proximity. In addition to the amusement park there is a Sea Life Aquarium located near the entrance. The monorail offers a view of the park, the Panorama Tower has excellent views of the city escape and beyond. The Clown Rolle-Geek is the park´s mascot. It has wooden roller coasters. Entrance to the park is free. It was opened on May 27, 1950. Linnanmäki has 43 different rides of different sizes .It also has other attractions, such as arcades, games, kiosks, restaurants and an outdoor stage on which different performers appear in the summer.
024-CENTRAL PARK- This is a huge park starting just north of the Olympic Stadium and extending northwards for 10 kms. It is of 1000 hectares in area. It is popular jogging area. The park is mostly in a natural state, with plenty of walkways, bikeways, riding paths and sports facilities including Pirkkola Sports Park (ice hockey, swimming, running) and Paloheinä (skiing, golf). It is a popular jogging area.
025-KORKEASAARI- It is on a large island .Here is Helsinki Zoo with 200 different animals species. It is connected to mainland by bridge. Korkeasaari is one of the most popular places among visitors in Helsinki. The animals on display are divided geographically to Amazonia , Africasia and Borealia .The main collection comprises mammals and birds, but even reptiles, fish and invertebrates are on display. No big mammals (elephants, giraffes and hippopotamus) are on display, as all warm climate animals must be indoors for wintertime. There is a large collection of big cats, and the snow leopards born in Korkeasaari are famous. Two or three times a year the zoo organizes night walks, when visitors can see the big cats and other nocturnal animals in their natural waking hours.
026-PORVOO -Porvoo is the second oldest city of Finland. This city is situated on the southern coast of Finland about 50 kilometres east of Helsinki along route E18.The town is famed for its “Old Town” and a dense mediaeval street pattern with wooden houses along Porvoo River. The Old Town was to be abolished but plan was cancelled .The central point of the old town is the medieval, stone and brick Porvoo Cathedral .On the riverside the red storage buildings are heritage site. Porvoo Cathedral (It was built in the 15th century, although the oldest parts date from the 13th century) -Porvoo Doll and Toy Museum-Porvoo Museum are the sights to see. At Porvoo the BRUNBERG is known for giants puffs of flavoured whipped cream encased in a thin chocolate shell known as PUSU (Kisses). Restaurent Timbaali is situated in the heart of Old Povoo Timbaali is the only restaurant that is specialized in escargot.
027-MANNERHEIMINTIE- The biggest department stores and shopping centres, such as Stockmann, Sokos and Forum, can be found.
028-ALEKSANTERINKATU-Many clothing and shoe shops, including both Finnish and international chains and a number of high-quality jewellers shops.
029-ESPLANDE-Esplanade is home to many famous Finnish design outlets, including Arabia/Iittala, Finlayson, Pentik, Annikki Karvinen, Marimekko and Artek.
030- FORUM-The city's oldest shopping centre, Forum, was completed almost 60years ago for the Olympics. In the last 25years the shopping centre has developed into a block of fashion and entertainment. Located at Mannerheimintie 20.
031-STOCKMANN DEPARTMENT STORE-Located in the centre of Helsinki, the Stockmann Department store offers a wide selection of products from foods to top fashion and electronics across 5,38,000 square feet of shopping space. An exhibition hall on the 5th floor features sales exhibitions on varying themes. This summer’s exhibition, Feels like Finland, is dedicated to tourists and travellers, offering selected products from brands like Arabia, Iittala, Marimekko and Aarikka. On the 7th floor, a Visitor Centre provides visitors with advice and help on tax free issues.
032-KAMPPI SHOPPING CENTRE (NARINKKATORI)-It is the newest shopping centre in the Helsinki city centre.