Added: 10/29/2005 |
Abundance of new impressions in helsinkiThe town of Helsinki was founded by King Gustavus Vasa of Sweden in 1550 and was a trading post and a military center for many centuries. Due to this fact the city is rich in old military fortresses and castles, the most famous and oldest of which is Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress (built in 1700), located on six islands off the coast of helsinki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Today, it is one of the most popular sights in the whole Finland.
In 1812, Helsinki was proclaimed the capital of Finland and was completely rebuilt in the style any capital would be only jealous of. The authors of the rebuilding project of Helsinki were Johan Albrecht Ehrenstrom, a native of Helsinki, and the German architect Carl Ludwig Engel, who together created the Empire-style center of the city. Then the history of Helsinki has developed faster than ever. It soon became an administrative and university center of Finland and the largest industrial city in the country. In 1995 Finland became a member of the European Union, in 2000 helsinki was announced a European City of Culture.
There are so many places to see and visit in helsinki, that it seems hardly possible to cover all of them in one article. It should be noted that the city is rather compact and looks ideal for seeing many attractions when just walking in helsinki streets. The transportation in helsinki is very comfortable too, the visitors can easily move from the center to the outlying areas or just get around.
The center of the city, the Senate Square and the buildings nearby are the purest examples of Neo-Classical architecture. The additional decorations to the square are the Cathedral, Council of State and the University of Helsinki. The National Library, the Sofiankatu Museum Street, Esplanade Park and the Market Square are all around the center. The Market Square is a great place to taste and purchase fresh and smoked fish.
Ancient churches add very much to the peculiar and attractive appearance of the city. The Cathedral of Helsinki is more than 150 years old and is the most recognizable and photographed place in Finland. The Temppeliaukio'Rock'Church is very popular among tourists as an example of modern architechture in helsinki. The Uspenski Cathedral stands for the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe.
Parks in helsinki are the best places to walk and relax in a peaceful atmosphere of surrounding nature. The most famous of them are Esplanade Park and Kaivopuisto Park. There is an abundance of theme parks, which will be of great entertainment and fun for people of any age.
One of them is Lego Park, which will bring joy to both children and adults with its Lego-characters, electric cars and Lego competitions.
Among the other attractions, which are worth visiting in helsinki, are the Aquarium Castle, where visitors can learn about the animals and ecosystems of tropical rainforests and Gardenia, a unique tropical garden with spectacular exhibitions and events. The special attention should be given to the Helsinki City Winter Garden, the sight beyond of any word description. This exotic winter garden, established in 1893, now consists of more than 200 various species of plants. the garden is subdivided into rooms for each particular plant species. In the cactus room, you will find all kinds of cactuses. In the palm room, room high palm trees, Norfolk Island pines and camellias are growing. Outside there is the rose garden with the blooming roses in summer and autumn. The views of flourishing plants and their interwoven flagrant flavors all around are so impressive, that visitors can admire them for hours. And generally, the whole vacation in helsinki will bring you so many impressions and ideas, that you will be describing your travel to your friends again and again, recollecting something new and untold before.
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