FINLAND - HELSINKI

FINLAND

Capital: Helsinki

Geographical size: 338 435 km2

Population: 5 451 270 (2014)

EU language(s): Finnish, Swedish

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member country since: 1 January 1995

Currency: Euro.

HELSINKI

Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland.  Helsinki has a population of 626,305, 

PLACES TO VISIT

• The Temppeliaukio church: The Temppeliaukio church, was designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1969. It is on of the most visited attractions of Helsinki. There are regular concerts, with great acoustics.
• Kotiharjun Sauna:  It is a public wood-fired sauna in Kallio. This sauna dates back to 1928. It is a classic experience in Helsinki and, apart from the sauna, you can also get a massage. There are separate saunas for men and women.
• The Sibelius monument: The Sibelius monument is an abstract sculpture dedicated to the music composer Jean Sibelius. The monument weighs 24 tonnes  and measures 8.5 × 10.5 × 6.5 metres. It consists of 600 odd vertical metal pipes. It wants to symbolise the essence of the music of Sibelius.

MUSEUMS

• Ateneum:  It is Finland’s most importan art gallery. It houses Finnish paintings and sculptures from the 19th century to 1950. There are works by Albert Edelfelt, Hugo Simberg, Helene Schjerfbeck, the Von Wright brothers and Pekka Halonen. 
• Seurasaaren Ulkomuseo: It is located at the West of the city centre, there is an island-museum with a collection of historic wooden buildings transferred here from around Finland.  There are guided tours in which your guide will be wearing traditional customes and you will be able to enter to different buildings.

FOOD AND TYPICALL DISHES

• Karjalanpiirakka: Karjalanpiirakka are little pies made with rye flour and filled with potatoes, rice or carrots. They are usually served with ang egg butter spread on top. 

• Lohikeitto (salmon soup):  A salmon, leek and potato soup, usually garnished with dill. 

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