FI23 Discover Helsinki

Finnish teachers organized a visit at the parlement. After that moment, students had free city tour. They took pictures and found out about monuments, statues, architecture of Helsinki: Mannerheim Statue, Aleksis Kiven patsas, Aleksanteri II, The statue of the famous Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the Esplanade park. They visit the Cathedral of Helsinki. Built between 1830-1852, it is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki. Until the independence of Finland in 1917, the church was known as St Nicholas’ church because it was originally a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland who was Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. 70% of Finnish citizens belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 
The Senate Square has been Helsinki’s main square since the 17th century. The present square was built in 1808 by the Russians when they took charge of Finland. The famous German architect Carl Ludvig Engel designed the square in such a manner that the buildings on the four sides of the square represented the four powers of the state as conceived at the time: senate, church, university, and commerce. A lone statue of Tsar Alexander II stands in the center of the square. 

The main building of the University of Helsinki and the Government Palace (which houses the Prime Minister’s office) also lie in the square. All these buildings are fine examples of Neoclassical architecture.

The National Library may seem like an odd attraction, but the library’s main interior hall is home to Helsinki’s most mesmerizing murals and also features magnificent marble columns. The pinnacles of the 28 marble columns are gilded with gold leaf, while the images and ornaments on the domed ceiling symbolize knowledge and learning.
The Finnish Theatre was established in May 1872. Finland became independent from Russia in 1917. For nearly 700 years, Finland was part of Sweden. Sweden lost Finland to Russia in the Finnish War of 1809. Helsinki is the capital and biggest city in Finland with around 630,000 people. They say in Finland the most people they have per square kilometer is 18. There are two official languages in Finland: Finnish and Swedish (about 6% are Swedish speakers living on the coast). 

Aleksanterinkatu is Helsinki’s premier commercial street that stretches from the Presidential Palace and continues to meet Mannerheimintie. It is the city’s oldest street and is home to numerous fashionable shops, boutiques, and bars. 

The street is always abuzz with activity and is a great place to observe Helsinki’s charming old trams. It is home to the flagship Stockmann department store which is the largest such store in the Nordic region.

Mannerheimintie is Helsinki’s longest street and most important street. It is named in honor of the Finnish military leader. After these cultural visits students and teachers alike go shopping and then return to their hotel/host families

Students enjoyed the city trip tour in Helsinki and discover a young city with large streets