Our first stop in Finland on the trip was at a Stockman's rest stop at the Russian border. I imagine the store is there to provide shopping for the Russians who cross the border for the day. After a short stop, we headed out to Helsinki, arriving in the early afternoon. We went directly to Cathedral Square where we saw the magnificent Lutheran cathedral on a hill top overlooking a beautiful plaza surrounded with buildings built in the same style as that of Saint Petersburg. In fact, at the beginning of the 20th century, Helsinki suffered a fire and had to be rebuilt. Since it was to be the capital of a Russian grand duchy, the new city was designed to look like a Russian capital.
At the center of the square a statue of Czar Nicholas II holds reign over the area. Behind him, on the broad, high staircase one usually finds a lot of Finns resting, visiting and even, on sunny days, sunbathing. On each side of the square a government building forms a symetrical bookmark to the area, and directly across from the Cathedral a group of buildings that probably once were rich homes now house souvenir stores, a mall and a handful of restaurants.
At one corner of the square stands the oldest building in Helsinki.
On a lighter note, along the side streets we found a cute telephone booth and a stuffed reindeer.
Click a picture to see a larger view.
Stockman's at the Russian Border
Senate Square
The Lutheran Cathedral
Czar Nicholas II
A View from the Top of the Staircase
Government Building
Carlos Just Loves Touring Old Buildings
Across from the Cathedral
Outside and Inside a Shopping Mall
Doll House Furniture for Sale
The Oldest Building in the City
Half Length Phone Booth
The Stuffed Reindeer
