The Stockmann Helsinki Centre stands out as a significant cultural and commercial hub in downtown Helsinki. It's owned by the Stockmann corporation and is not only a part of their collection of stores but also a landmark in the Nordic region due to its size and sales figures. Stockmann is renowned for offering a wide range of luxury brands, making it a top choice for high-end shopping in Finland.

The Stockmann Delicatessen, located in the basement, is highly regarded for its quality and diverse selection of food items. Contrary to popular belief, the Stockmann logo, featuring escalators, doesn't signify the introduction of Finland's first escalators, a milestone achieved by the Forum department store in Turku back in 1926.

In 2017, the Stockmann Helsinki Centre was recognized as the fifth largest department store in Europe, covering an area of 50,500 square meters. One of its notable features is the clock at the main entrance, affectionately known as "Stockan kello" ("Stocka's clock"), which has become a symbol of Helsinki's urban culture and a popular meeting spot.

The history of the Stockmann department store is both triumphant and tragic. The original designers, Valter Thomé and his brother, won a competition to design the store in 1916 but tragically lost their lives during the Finnish Civil War. Sigurd Frosterus, initially the runner-up, took over and completed the construction in 1930. The building showcases Nordic Art Deco style, reflecting elegance and historical significance. Located in the Kluuvi district as part of the Gazelle block, the store's design and expansions have remained faithful to Frosterus's original vision, preserving its architectural integrity and aesthetic appeal over the years.

This Swedish Theatre was the first such national stage for the country. It was started in 1827, and the first home of the company was completed in the same year. It is located at the Erottaja Square, which is at the end of Esplanadi Street. Unlike the National Theatre, this local company specializes in Swedish language performances.

The group quickly outgrew its location, as the popularity of the place grew. A new location was started in 1860. It was built on the current site of the Svenska Teatern. The early acting group was captained by Pierre Deland. Soon though, the Finnish language was used in performances. A new national company was formed in the early 20th Century, which goes on today. The group does performances in both languages. The building was majorly renovated in the 1930s. So now, you have a location with an 1800s style interior and a more modern exterior.

This institution is one of six such entities which in Finland that are designed to due performances in Swedish. Performances are done in Finnish and Swedish though, as both languages are formerly taught by the local schools to all children. This has created a situation where the theatre is patronized by a group of around 220,000 bi-lingual patrons.

Between Erottaja Square and Market Square, you will find Esplanadi Park. Known simply as ‘Espa’ by the locals, this long promenade is a popular walking area. The park opened in 1818 and was designed by Carl Ludwig Engel. In 1827, Engels Teater was the first theater built in Helsinki.

Espa is a popular spot with locals to enjoy a picnic or see live performances. The central section of the park features roses bushes, crab apple trees, and aspen trees. You'll see many monuments and statues, including one of national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. He wrote the Finnish national anthem, and his was the first monument erected in Helsinki in 1885.

The Kappeli Restaurant opened in 1867, and it’s still known for great food in a beautiful setting. Espa Stage hosts live music throughout the year, including the longest music festival in Finland. It's held from May until the end of August and features 200 or more artists hosted by the Cultural Office of the City of Helsinki.

Why You Should Visit:
Beautiful open space in the middle of the city, great for sitting on the bench and people watching, or bringing food and having a picnic.

Tip:
Be sure to take in the architecture on both sides – the old buildings are splendid.

The Old Market Hall in Helsinki has a special significance in the city's business and cultural life. It's the oldest among Helsinki's market halls, opening its doors to the public back in 1889. This architectural marvel came during a time when Helsinki was moving from chaotic open-air markets to more organized indoor setups. Concerns about food hygiene and the need for structured trading spaces drove this transition away from the haphazard market squares of the 19th century.

Construction of the Old Market Hall began in 1888, led by Gustaf Nyström, who had experience designing market halls across Europe. However, delays due to issues with the cement supply pushed its opening to a year later. Nyström aimed for a design that combined functionality with aesthetic appeal, creating a sophisticated trading environment. The hall proudly displays the year of its opening at its southern end, underscoring its historical significance.

Situated next to the Helsinki Market Square, the Old Market Hall adds richness to the city's culinary offerings. It's a paradise for food lovers, hosting various vendors selling cheeses, fish, shellfish, meats, fruits, vegetables, and spices, as well as coffee, tea, small gifts, and tableware. It even houses Finland's smallest Alko store, enhancing its uniqueness.

Beyond being a shopping destination, the Old Market Hall offers culinary experiences, renowned for its delicious salmon soup and fish sandwiches that draw visitors from afar. It's also a convenient stop for lunch, especially for those heading to Suomenlinna, as the ferry departure point is nearby at the Helsinki Market Square.

Why You Should Visit:
Amazing selection of food and drinks and a great place to pick up a couple of presents to take home. If you're a fish lover, especially salmon, you have to visit as there are lots of different types to try. If you are more of a meat lover, there are stalls selling reindeer burgers/kebabs which are worth tasting.

Havis Amanda is a significant symbol of Helsinki's cultural and artistic legacy. Crafted by sculptor Ville Vallgren in the early 20th century, it has become an iconic representation of the city's identity and artistic taste. Vallgren created this masterpiece in 1906 while in Paris, a city renowned for its vibrant art scene and influence on the Art Nouveau movement. Two years later, in 1908, Havis Amanda found its place in Market Square, Kaartinkaupunki district, where it has since captivated residents and visitors alike.

The statue showcases the elegance of Parisian Art Nouveau, characterized by its intricate natural forms. Made of bronze, it portrays a mermaid emerging from the water, surrounded by fish and sea lions, all meticulously crafted. The composition rests on a granite fountain, enhancing its visual appeal and thematic significance. Vallgren intended for Havis Amanda to symbolize Helsinki's rejuvenation, reflecting the city's growth during that period. Standing at 5 meters tall, with the statue alone measuring 1.94 meters, it is a remarkable sight.

The mermaid was modeled after Marcelle Delquini, a Parisian woman. Over time, the statue acquired various nicknames, with "Havis Amanda" being the most widely recognized. Today, it remains a beloved symbol of Helsinki, celebrated in brochures and travel guides.

The Holy Trinity church holds the distinction of being the oldest Orthodox Church in the city of Helsinki. It is located in the Kruununkaka District of town, on the corner of Unioninkatu and Rauhankatu Streets. It is also one of the bigger tourist draws among churches in town. It also happens to be located next to the Helsinki Cathedral.

It was constructed in 1826. The architect was the German architect Carl Engel, who also designed Helsinki Cathedral and some other churches in the area. It was built in a neoclassical style of architecture. The church’s beautiful yellow exterior, which is trimmed in white, is quite lovely. This helps to accentuate the bell tower, and give it a very clean look.

It is the inside of the church that is the best part though. You will be amazed at the gold and silver in setting for the furniture, trimming, pictures, icons etc. This is set against the scarlet colored flooring and pristine white ceilings.

Services are held here each Sunday in Slavic and Finnish.

The National Library of Finland stands as the primary research library within the country. It operates under the administrative umbrella of the University of Helsinki, formerly known as the Helsinki University Library until August 1, 2006.

Tasked with preserving Finland's cultural heritage, the National Library operates as a legal deposit library, mandated by Finnish law to receive copies of all printed materials and most audiovisual content originating from or intended for distribution within Finland. These materials are then distributed to the library's national collection and to reserve collections of five other university libraries. Additionally, the National Library is responsible for archiving and safeguarding internet-published materials.

Residents of Finland are eligible to register as users of the National Library, granting them borrowing privileges for library materials. However, publications within the national collection are not available for loan beyond the library premises. Notably, the library boasts one of the world's most extensive collections of books published during the Russian Empire era.

Situated near Senaatintori Square in Helsinki, the National Library comprises both historic and modern architectural elements. The original section of the library, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, dates back to 1844, while the newer Rotunda extension, crafted by architect Gustaf Nyström, was completed in 1906. The majority of the library's holdings are housed in the Kirjaluola, an underground bunker carved into solid rock, located 18 meters below the library, with a volume of 57,600 cubic meters (2,030,000 cubic feet).

Senate Square, or Senaatintori, is a city square surrounded by beautiful Neo-Classical buildings. The square and its buildings are the oldest part of Helsinki. The structures on the square include the Cathedral, the main building of the University of Helsinki, the Government Palace, and the Sederholm House dating from 1757.

The square is built on the site of a 17th and 18th-century graveyard. The city plan, designed by Johan Albrecht Ehrenström, designated the square in 1812. By 1822, the Government Palace was completed. The Senate of Finland met there until the Council of State replaced it in 1918. Today, the building is used by the Prime Minister and Cabinet officials.

The University Building was constructed in 1832. But the most dominant building in the square is by far the Helsinki Cathedral. It was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel but was not completed until 12 years after his death. It was initially called the Church of Saint Nicholas.

Walter Runeberg carved the central statue of Emperor Alexander II in 1894. During the Russian years, the Alexander statue was a symbol of resistance. People would leave flowers under the statue as a gesture of protest against Alexander's grandson, tsar Nicolas II. Alexander was known locally as "the good tsar."

Why You Should Visit:
Today, Senate Square is a popular destination. There's often a festival, art exhibition, or concert going on.

The square is the site of the oldest buildings in Helsinki. The Cathedral is especially worth seeing as it is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. From the stairs to the Cathedral, be sure to take in the view of the city all around.

Tips:
Every day a digital carillon plays at 17:49. The acoustically best spot to hear the piece is at the central statue of Alexander II.

If visiting in the wintertime, the Helsinki Christmas Market is held every December in Senate Square.

The square has appeared in many movies, including many scenes that were supposedly set in Russia. By omitting the distinctive Cathedral from his shots, Warren Beatty convincingly used Senate Square as a substitute for Soviet Saint Petersburg in the 1981 film Reds.

Helsinki Cathedral is an important symbol of Finnish culture and architecture, situated in the heart of Helsinki's Kruununhaka neighborhood on Senate Square. This impressive building serves as the main Lutheran cathedral for the Diocese of Helsinki and has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Initially built between 1830 and 1852, the cathedral was dedicated to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I, and was known as Saint Nicholas's Church until Finland gained independence in 1917. Today, it is renowned worldwide as one of Finland's most significant historical landmarks.

Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in the Neoclassical style, Helsinki Cathedral features a distinctive green dome surrounded by four smaller domes, creating a striking silhouette against the city skyline. Engel intended the cathedral to be the focal point of his design for Senate Square, with other structures complementing its grandeur. The cathedral's architectural plan, based on a Greek cross, emphasizes symmetry with colonnades and pediments adorning each arm, though Engel's original vision for additional columns at the entrance was never realized.

Built on the site of the earlier Ulrika Eleonora Church from the 18th century, Helsinki Cathedral's foundation has historical significance. Construction was funded by a decree from Alexander I, tying its origins to Helsinki's designation as the nation's capital in 1812. While Engel passed away before its completion, Ernst Lohrmann, his successor, made further contributions to the design, including the addition of four small domes and a bell tower. Notable zinc statues of the Twelve Apostles, crafted by renowned artists of the time, adorn the roofline.

Throughout its existence, Helsinki Cathedral has undergone renovations and restorations, including the conversion of its crypt into a functional space for exhibitions and events beyond religious ceremonies. It remains an important center for worship, hosting regular services and special occasions like weddings. With half a million visitors in 2018 alone, it is a popular tourist destination, embodying Finnish culture and spirituality through its historical significance, architectural grandeur, and active community involvement.

Tips:
Plenty of steps to get to the cathedral's main entrance (no handrails, so be prepared). There are some wheelchair ramps if needed.
Also worth a visit is an atypical café right under the cathedral (Cafe Krypta). The entrance is at the back of Kirkkokatu Street or via elevator from the cathedral. Friendly staff, delicious pastries, and inexpensive coffee.

Part of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Upenski Cathedral is the official seat of the bishop of Helsinki for that faith tradition. It is dedicated to the Dormition of Theotokos (The Bearer of God, or Mary). In fact, the name of the church itself is derived from the old Slavic word for Dormition.

The building was finished in 1868 and took a total of six years to complete. The well known Russian architect Alexey Gomostaev designed the structure. Sadly, it was not completed in his lifetime.

There is a crypt chapel that is built into the building complex. It was named after one of the old Vicars of the church, Alexander Hotovitzky. He served the local parish in the early 1900s.

There are several very beautiful icons on display in this cathedral. They also happen to be quite valuable as art antiquities. In fact, two of them had been stolen from the church in the last several years, with only one having been (remarkably) recovered. Consequently, glass protection covers had to be added, but this will not ruin your chance to appreciate the icons.

Tips:
- The climb up involves quite a number of stairs. Go up there at sunset. You'll get stunning photos of the cityscape with the sun setting just behind the Lutheran Cathedral.
- The rocks right in front of the church are popular place to sit on together with friends enjoying the view. Just watch out – they are steep!