viernes, 10 de abril de 2015

FINLAND: SUOMENLINNA IN HELSINKI

I arrived to Kauppatori half an hour before the departure of the boat to Suomenlinna, so I spent this time taking some pictures of this square and the buildings beside it:

  • The City Hall
  • The Prime Minister Palace
  • The Orthodox Cathedral

After visiting the elegant Senate Square I went to Kauppatori, the market square, just a few meters away. This large square is bounded on the south by the Baltic Sea and, on the North, by several elegant buildings. Among them are the Palace of the Prime Minister of Finland and the City Hall. While I was waiting for the ferry departure to Suomenlinna I amused myself taking some pictures to these buildings and enjoying the nice afternoon.


Orthodox Cathedral in Helsinki
Orthodox Cathedral in Helsinki from Kauppatori, the place from which the boats to Suomenlinna leave


Palace of the Prime Minister of Finland
On the right, the Palace of the Prime Minister of Finland beside Kauppatori



Palace of the Prime Minister of Finland in Helsinki
Palace of the Prime Minister of Finland beside Kauppatori in Helsinki



Palace of the Prime Minister of Finland in Helsinki
Palace of the Prime Minister of Finland in Helsinki



Kauppatori or Market Square in Helsinki
Kauppatori or Market Square in Helsinki. On the left of this picture the Esplanadi Park begins


City Hall of Helsinki
City Hall of Helsinki




Kauppatori or Market Square in Helsinki
Selfie in Kauppatori, the Market Square in Helsinki


Kauppatori in Helsinki
The last picture in Kauppatori before boarding the ferry to Suomenlinna



The ferry ride from Helsinki to Suomenlinna was very pleasant in spite of the cold air of the Baltic Sea. The views of Helsinki with its referent, the Lutheran Cathedral, from the ferry were nice. I got Suomenlinna a little before 6pm and I wanted to catch the ferry back leaving at 7pm because the next was at 7:45pm, too late. I only had about an hour, just to go to the Kingsgate (a kilometer and a half away) and back almost without stopping.



Lutheran Cathedral in Helsinki
Lutheran Cathedral in Helsinki




Pier of Suomenlinna
Pier of Suomenlinna from which you can see on the left the Lutheran Cathedral of Helsinki





Visitor Centre in Suomenlinna
Visitor Centre in Suomenlinna beside the main quay



I walked fast passing beside the church, next to a museum and next to the Great Courtyard. In this first stretch of path there were buildings and parks. After crossing a couple of bridges I only saw the walls with guns and a large green area. Almost nobody. I just saw 4 or 5 people in one hour.



Church in Suomennlina
Church in Suomennlina


Suomenlinna in Helsinki
Suomenlinna is a fortress on a set of islands linked by bridges like the one of this picture



Suomenlinna in Helsinki
Suomenlinna is like a huge park with paths and bridges perfect to walk or to spend a weekend morning with children


Suomenlinna in Helsinki
Another bridge connecting two islands of Suomenlinna Fortress


Suomenlinna in Helsinki
Going to King's Gate in Suomenlinna




Suomenlinna in Helsinki
Green area inside the Suomenlinna fortress in Finland



Due to lack of time and cold I just stopped briefly to do some pictures. I was walking through the Kingsgate area about 5 minutes without stopping and then I returned to the pier. Then I would realize that I did not see actually the door even though I was near, but I would not have had time to look. The ferry ride back was short and I enjoyed the views of Helsinki from the ferry at sunset.




Suomenlinna (Sveaborg) in Helsinki
Gun in Suomenlinna (Sveaborg) in Helsinki



Suomenlinna in Helsinki
Suomenlinna (Sveaborg) in Helsinki near the King's Gate. My walk of almost 2 km in this fortress ended here



Suomenlinna in Helsinki
I thought that beyond this wall of Suomenlinna was the King's Gate but I didn't time to get closer to it




Suomenlinna in Helsinki
Suomenlinna (Sveaborg in Swedish) in Helsinki before coming back to Helsinki




Helsinki in Finland
Sunset in Helsinki from the ferry coming back from Suomenlinna




I think that Suomenlinna is an ideal place to spend a sunny summer day. It is a huge green space, like a huge park. There is a kilometer and a half from the pier to Kingsgate. There is actually a pier next to the Kingsgate where the ferries stop only in summer.



This was our trip route in Finland and Estonia:


Day 1 - Helsinki
  • Aleksanterinkatu Street
  • Senaatintori
  • Lutheran Cathedral
  • Esplanadi Park
  • Kappeli Cafe


Day 2 - Helsinki and Tampere
  • Sibelius Monument
  • Olympic Stadium


Day 3 - Lapland


Day 4 - Lapland
  • Country Cross Ski in Ounasvaara Ski resort


Day 5 - Lapland
  • Snowshoes in Ounasvaara Ski Resort
  • Searching for Northern Ligths (Aurora Borealis)


Day 6 - Lapland
  • Rovaniemi
  • Arkikum Museum


Day 7 - Rauma
  • Yyteri Beach
  • Rauma


Day 8 - Turku and Helsinki
  • Castle and Cathedral of Turku
  • Senaatintori and Kauppatori (Senate Square and Market Square) in Helsinki
  • Suomenlinna (Sveavorg) in Helsinki



  • Saint Olav Church. Views from the bell-tower
  • Pikk Street
  • Tower's Square


  • Town walls, Tower's Square and Viru Gate
  • Aleksander Nevski Cathedral
  • Saint Mary Cathedral
  • Kohtu and Patkuli Platform
  • Saint Nicholas Church
  • Town Hall and Town Hall's Square


  • Olde Hansa Restaurant
  • Saint Catherine Passage


    Day 10 - Helsinki



    • Buying souvenirs near Senaatintori (Senate Square)

    Finally, other countries and cities I have already visited are:



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