Helsinki places
Senate Square
City's official centre, the Senate Square is surrounded by amazing 18th century buildings. The Square was designed in the beginning of the 19th century, when Helsinki become the capital of Finland, and one can notice a great Russian influence in its design. A bronze statue of Tsar Alexander II, one of the most popular tourist attraction in Helsinki, is situated in the centre of the Square.
The Finnish National Gallery is housed in a bulding dating from 1887. One can see there various Finnish sculptures and paintings from the 18th century to the 1950s, as well as some works of international art (paintings by Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gaugin among them). Sinebrychoff is another part of the Finnish National Gallery with the largest exhibition of Dutch, Italian and Flemish painting in Finland. There are also some icons from Russia, china, silver and furniture.
Temppeliaukio Church (Church in the Rock), is one of the most worth-visiting sights of the city. Designed in 1969 by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, it is hewn into a rock and has an outstanding 24m diameter roof covered in 22 km of copper stripping. Regular concerts and a service in English at 2pm on Sundays take place in this unusual church.
Kauppatori, a famous fish market that sells fish but also seasonal fruit, berries and makkara (sausages) is a very popular tourist attraction. Why? Because one can buy there everything from unusual hats or gloves, T-shirts, local handicrafts and sami dolls, to woodwork. Don't miss the nice mermaid statue and fountain, often called 'Manta'. This famous symbol of Helsinki is locted in the western part of the market. Around the market place there are beautiful 19th-century buildings the only ones to remain in Helsinki after the WWII.
The Kiasma Museum of Modern Art offers an exhibition of modern art both Finnish and international. Finnish artists are represented by Nina Roos, Susanne Gottberg, Jussi Nivi and the homoerotic illustrator Touko Laaksonen. There are also works of such international artists as Nan Goldin, Richard Serra, Andy Warhol and Cindy Sherman. Furthermore, in this world-class museum one can admire performance art, music, dance and films. After visiting the museum one can enjoy oneself in the cafe and beer terrace offering warm, confortable atmosphere.
Korkeasaari Zoo
Situated on Korkeasaari Island, the Korkeassari Zoo is one of the northermost zoos in the world where are housed animals from Finland and around the world. Founded in 1889, it is very successful in breeding snow leopard. Species like bearded golden vultures and snowy owls are also very important for the zoo. The most pleasant way to arrive to the zoo is by boat from the Kauppatori fish market.
Uspenski Cathedral was designed by St Petersburg architect AM Gornostayev. The interior of the largest Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe is adorned with icons. Built in the middle of the 19th century, this Byzantine-Slavonic cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is situated on Katajanokka Island.
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