valokuvia

Photos rather than words for a change. So far all I have are exterior travelogue-style photos that I've taken while wandering around the city. It hasn't been sunny all the time - there were snow flurries a few days ago - but the (very) strong winds ensure that the clouds blow away quickly.


Tuomiokirkko, Senaatintori (C. L. Engels, 1830-1852)

From atop the steps the church dominates the Senate Square, a space that has been full of Good Friday and Easter events since I arrived. My apartment on Mariankatu is a two-minute walk northeast the square (to the right in this photo).






Unionin-katu, looking north

Unioninkatu becomes Siltasaa-renkatu north of Kruun-unhaka, where it crosses the Eläintarhanlahti waterway and enters the neighborhoods to the north. The street serves as the axis for the eastern part of the city. Its south end is marked by the Helsinki observatory, set on a low hill in a park, while its north end is terminated by the vigorous massing of Kallio church, also on a hill and visible in this photo. Note the white-on-yellow Neoclassical buildings that predominate in Kruununhaka.

Uspenskin-katedraali, Katajan-okka (1868)

Katajan-okka is a peninsula connected to the city only at its far western tip, where it meets Kruununhaka at the Kauppatori market square. This church, which served the peninsula's Russian population, is near the market. Its domes presumably are the inspiration for the Ravintola Sipuli (Onion Restaurant) at the west end of the building below. Both the church and the restaurant building are constructed of brick. This photo was taken at dusk, looking south with the Pohjoissatama (north harbor) at the left.

Rautatieasema (Eliel Saarinen, 1914)

The central railroad station, at the center of the busiest part of Helsinki.












tower of the Olympiastadion, Töölö (Lindegren & Jäntti, 1940)

Above, the 72m tower. Below, a view from atop the tower, looking southeast towards Kruununhaka. Note the uniform building heights, punctuated by church towers. The Töölönlahti bay is visible in the foreground. Out of the photo to the right (west) is Finlandia Hall. The wind, which has been strong the entire time I've been in Helsinki, is remarkably powerful at this elevation!