Travel Tips

Until 1959 known as the Nikolai church, it was designed by Carl Ludwig Engel and built 1830-1852.

On its roof the cathedral has the 12 apostols made of zinc.

Beneath the church there is a crypt which used to be a café and host art exhibits. Nowadays it is open on special requests only.

Close to each other Uspenski and the Dome manifest their position within the harbour area in Helsinki by sitting on higher grounds - on solid, finnish rock.

On entering the harbour one at a single glance sees both majestic, architecturally impresive, religious buildings - one white (protestantic), the other red (russian orthodox).

Like symbolism? Well, that's an interesting one.

This photograph was taken from the Torni.

Immagine sitting on the stairs of the Dome:

...then turn your head to the left side there is the valtionneuvoston linna.

Designed also by C.L. Engel (Berlin, 1778-1840) built 1818-1822.

As all the buildings around the senat's square, Engel composed a purely empire-style complex.

Since 1917 the building has not been altered or enlarged.

Nowadays some governmental departments and agencies have their offices here.

... then turn your head to the right side: there is the main building of the university of Helsinki...

Designed by C.L. Engel as well.

The university was moved to Helsinki from Turku in 1827 by orders of tsar Nikolai I.

The official name was "Keisarillinen Aleksanterin-Yliopisto Suomessa" (the emperor's Alexander university).

In fact this is only a small part of the whole university which is spread throughout the city. So there is no real campus ground.

...and in the upper left-hand corner situated is...

the oldest stonebuilding in the city centre - built in 1757. Probably designed by Samuel Berner. In the 1850s and 60s the house was home to a tobacco factory, school, restaurants and a bakery. From 1949 to 1985 it was used as a district court and functions ever since as part of the city museum.