Cultural sightseeing in Finland. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces
![Cirrus Cirrus](../../common/img_cities_w300/helsinki--1364995-7.jpg)
When it comes to mention the most popular places of interest in Finland, the first destination that comes to mind is Helsinki. The Senate Square is …
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The national cuisine of Finland can be called endemic: majority of its dishes cannot be tried in any other country. Traditional Finnish meal is food …
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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Finland
Reference information
Art galleries in Finland
♥ Art museum 'Ateneum Art Museum' Helsinki. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma' Helsinki. On the map
Photos
♥ Art museum 'Ateneum Art Museum' Helsinki. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photo gallery of Ateneum Art Museum](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma' Helsinki. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photo gallery of Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
Palaces in Finland
♥ Palace 'Presidential Palace' . On the map
Photos
♥ Palace 'Turku Castle' . On the map
Photos
♥ Palace 'Presidential Palace' . On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photo gallery of Presidential Palace](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Palace 'Turku Castle' . On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photo gallery of Turku Castle](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
Extreme Guinness-type places in Finland
Houseboat Saunalautta
From the series “Fancy Houses and Hotels Located on Water or Under Water”![](../../extreme/img/w300/houseboat-saunalautta_1.jpg)
In addition to the sauna itself, the complex provides a sleeping room with four seats, as well as the presence of several terraces with hammocks. One of the terraces has been equipped with a special barbecue area. Thanks to the developed infrastructure, Saunalautta is considered a full-fledged leisure center, and not just an ordinary sauna. The sauna operates only … Read all
Banja Funicular
From the series “Most Extraordinary Thermaes, Baths and Saunas in the World”![](../../extreme/img/w300/banja-funicular_1.jpg)
The unusual bath accomodates four people. Those who do not seem to have an extreme air trip will be able to diversify the rest with another enchanting event - to dive into the snow at one of the funicular stations. The so-called "Flying sauna" is a unique … Read all
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Hilton builds third luxury hotel in Kyoto
The project organizers note that the new Kyoto hotel is perfect for both business and leisure. Just to remind you, the opening of the Roku Kyoto hotel took place in the city in 2021. The luxury hotel also never ceases to amaze guests with its exquisite atmosphere and variety of services. It is close to famous attractions like Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Shozan Resort Kyoto Pavilion is a short walk from the hotel.
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27.07.2024
The project organizers note that the new Kyoto hotel is perfect for both business and leisure. Just to remind you, the opening of the Roku Kyoto hotel took place in the city in 2021. The luxury hotel also never ceases to amaze guests with its exquisite atmosphere and variety of services. It is close to famous attractions like Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Shozan Resort Kyoto Pavilion is a short walk from the hotel.
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27.07.2024
Top cultural sites of Finland: monuments, theaters and churches
Aleksanterin teatteri, Helsinki
![Aleksanterin teatteri on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» Such eminent people, as the singer Shalyapin, the performer Varlamov, the writer Gorky, and the word-painter Yuriev, performed here.
» Technical equipment is suitable not only for theatrical, but also for dance performances. Drama and opera performances, musicals, and dance plays are stages here. The acoustics of the hall that lets play contemporary and classic music here. Private events are also held here.
» The initiator of the religious building construction was the Governor General of Finland.
» The Italian troupe stages the opera “Faust” on the opening day. The theatrical performance was premiered in spring 1880.
» The theatre has already reached the 135-year mark of its existence.
» Today, actors are often on tour. Invited play-actors from all over the world also improvise on stage.
» The theatre doesn’t have a cast.
Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» Every year, the sacrament - the queen’s coronation - is held at the city cathedral. One of the 10 beauties had been selected by vote before. After the coronation, the maiden in a white dress with a crown and lighted candles goes to the square with her friends. ![Helsinki Cathedral on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» There was a church at one time. It was dismantled and the territory was extended to construct a new church. The construction lasted 22 years. The updated church was finished in 1852. There is a bell tower and a chapel at the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
» The exterior is distinguished by multiple statues of 12 apostles placed on the roof. They are made of lead. Such number of zinc statues is the largest in the world.
» There is a vaulted cave under the cathedral. Art exhibitions and community meetings are held in it.
» People attend communal prayers three times a week. You can listen to organ music at the weekend.
» You can see the white magnificent building on souvenirs, postcards, and in guides. This cathedral is a city landmark.
» Every year, about half a million people come here to admire the temple.
Kallio Cathedral, Helsinki
![Kallio Cathedral on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» The unusual building was erected in the late 1960s. Solid rock was the main building material.
» The way the church was constructed was quite unconventional: the rock at the base was blown up. The pit was covered with a dome.
» Many people compare the construction with a UFO. The “inverted saucer” looks impressive, especially in the evening, when it’s illuminated.
» When you get inside, it also feels huge and spacious. It seems that the dome is located high. However, its height is in fact only 12 meters.
» The church has two hundred window openings providing sufficient natural light.
» The chime of bells is recorded and is played before the service.
» The sound vibration is so good that it was praised by the best world-renowned musicians, for example, Mstislav Rostropovich. Thanks to the acoustics, besides classical organ concerts, modern rock bands also perform here.
» Services are read in two languages: Finnish and English.
» Up to 500,000 tourists come here every year.
» It took a few months to build the church.
Museum of Natural History, Helsinki
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» In the Museum of Natural History, you can learn about the nature of the country. ![Museum of Natural History on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» In the four-storey building, there are stuffed birds and animals, fragments of skeletons of dinosaurs, ancient pangolins, and the remains of bones of animals dwelling on the planet.
» The museum is located in the city center. It is distinguished by the sculpture of the moose at the entrance. In summer, you can see the giraffe on the balcony of the building.
» In the “Suomi Nature” sector, you can see broadleaved trees and pines, as well as waters of Finland.
» In the “Corner of Nature”, you can acquaint with dwellers of the entire planet. On the exhibits, there are plates with their dates. The “palm” sign means that you can touch exhibits, for example, touch the egg of the ancient pangolin.
» The “Life History” sector will tell you how one-celled organisms develop and turned to evolved ones.
» Bone remains will tell you about the diversity of ancient vertebrates. There is even the skeleton of the Steller's sea cow exterminated by humans in the middle of the 18th century.
» The building occupying by the museum was built in 1870. Originally, it served as a school for Russian teenagers.
National Museum of Finland, Helsinki
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» One of the huge warehouses, where you can see cultural and historical items, is located in the National Museum. ![National Museum of Finland on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» It resembles the Finnish medieval palace with its appearance. The building has a stone decorated foundation. There is a high cone tower. The hall is decorated with frescoes of 1900.
» Here, you can also see artifacts telling about the historical development of the country from ancient times up to now. You can visit static and temporary local history, ethnocultural, and art exhibitions. In the shop, you can buy interesting books.
» Their collection is divided into themed sectors. Each of them has a hall.
» The history sector is the biggest. Here, you can see archeological artifacts found during excavations in the country, and other items: ceramic fragments, crockery, accessories, and chronicles about the first humans settling here 10 000 years ago.
» At the “Treasures” Exhibition, you can see awards of different epochs, coins, paper money, and jewelry.
» Workshop Vintti (translated as “basement”) at the upper level will let you give insights into the history, for example, weave a patchwork carpet or work on the conveyor.
St. John Church, Helsinki
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» There is a Lutheran church (1891) on top of the hill. Over the centuries, rites of summer solstice had been performed. ![St. John Church on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» The Swedish architect built a house corresponding to the place: according to the architectural plan, the building is constructed in the Flamboyant style. Due to its exterior, the building resembles a fire with a flame rising to the sky.
» The building is built on the stone foundation. The church is faced with red bricks. There are 74-meter towers on both sides. Outer walls are decorated with narrow lancet windows of stained glass. There is a big round rose-window above the central doorway. Its surface separates the intertwined ornament. The entrance to the building is guarded by two fabulous beasts. The sculpture of Apostle John reminds of the saint, after whom the cathedral is named.
» 2 600 worshipers can visit the service at one time.
» The light room has excellent acoustics, which lets hold organ concerts. All pieces of furniture - the altar, benches, and balconies - are wooden. The altar depicts Paul, the preacher and the follower of Christ. Big columns supporting the dome make the church higher.
Suomenlinna Church, Helsinki
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The Lutheran Church is located near the fortress. ![Suomenlinna Church on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» There was a military unit in the territory of the church in 1809. The five-dome Orthodox Church was built for soldiers of the garrison by the Russian architect’s plan.
» Its bell tower still serves as a beacon. Its light gives the “H” mark, the first letter in the city name (Helsinki).
» There are three such religious buildings in the world.
» According to the chronicles, the church was wooden in 1785.
» The House of God honors the memory of the warlord Nevsky. The church was blessed six years after the warlord Alexander prevented the northwest of Russia from the invasion of the Crusaders.
» The walls of the church are covered with smooth gray plaster. The fence of chains is molded of the cannon. At the entrance to the temple, you can see the emblem with a lion.
» The bell on the tower weighs about 7 tons. It was made in Moscow in 1885.
» At the church, there is the icon that is accepted as miraculous: when the building was fired in 1855, warriors noticed that shells and bullets didn’t hit it. To commemorate this event, the icon of the Mother of God was decorated with a silver frame.
Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki
Location on the map:
Interesting facts:
» The cathedral (1862-1868) started to be built in one of the quarter of old Helsinki built up with huts and one-storey houses where ordinary people lived. ![Uspenski Cathedral on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
» Substantial citizens started building new houses too. The quarter gained respectable appearance soon. Now, it is a prestigious district in the city. It can be said that the Uspenski Cathedral caused this.
» The House of God that is 51 m high is the largest Orthodox religious building in Europe.
» The Uspenski Cathedral is located on the high cliff. Visitors going from the sea gate see the magnificent red-brick building with 13 copper domes.
» They are crowned by decorative gilded towers. They symbolize the presence of Jesus with 12 apostles.
» The cathedral is built in the Russian architectural style. It is distinguished by patterns in its stones.
» Inner rooms are spacious and light despite multiple elegant decorative elements. The dome is painted. There is the collection of precious items behind the church ambo.
» The rectangular table in the middle of the table is covered with a golden coating and decorated with precious stones. It was delivered from the Valaam Monastery.
Culture and monuments in popular cities of Finland
Uspenski Cathedral is another prominent religious attraction. The age of the cathedral is around 150 years. The building is made of red brick, and the halls of the church are decorated with exquisite icons and elegant gilded iconostasis. Rock Church is, without a doubt, no less attractive. The church is located in Töölö district. Built in 1969, the church is one of the most original monuments of modern architecture. Carved in the rock, the hall of the church is distinguished by special … Read more
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A striking example of neo-Byzantine architecture is the Orthodox Church of St. Alexander Nevsky and St. Nicholas. This religious building reminds locals of a time when their country was part of Tsarist Russia. It should be noted that only a couple of monuments of this style have survived in Scandinavia, which makes the church even more unique. The Kaleva Church is the monument of the later period. It was built in 1966 and is a true example of Art Nouveau. The stately building of iron, … Read more
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Another great way to get acquainted with the history and culture of the region is to visit a museum located on the island of Turkansaari. This open-air heritage museum occupies a vast area with 29 beautiful buildings. Most of them were built in the 17th-18th centuries and brought here from all over Finland. The museum acquaints visitors with diverse areas of life and traditions of the indigenous population. Here you can see typical peasant huts with masterfully recreated furnishings of bygone … Read more
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Not far from the picturesque park is Sibelius Hall, which got its name in honor of the famous composer. The concert hall occupies a renovated building of the former carpentry factory. Today, literally nothing reminds its visitors of the industrial past. This is one of the largest and most beautiful concert halls in Northern Europe. Every year, the hall hosts a major classical music festival, which is attended by musicians from many foreign countries. It is noteworthy that Sibelius Hall is … Read more
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Even the smallest town has its unique attractions. The amazing Lappish museum is situated on the shores of Lake Inari. It is a large-scale open air cultural center, where you can see replicas of the old houses of local fishermen and reindeer herders. The museum introduces craft traditions and customs of indigenous people of Lapland; its exhibits include ancient weapons, household utensils and handicrafts. Not far from the lake there is another prominent attraction, Pielpajarvi Wilderness … Read more
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