|
 |
|
FINLAND |
 |
|
|
Location:
Helsinki
2012 dates to be confirmed - below gives a taste of what has happened last year
In December Helsinki is brightened up by the many Christmas lights in the streets and shop window displays. Aleksanterinkatu, the main shopping street of the city centre, is an elaborately-decorated and illuminated Joulukatu ("Christmas Street"), opened by Santa Claus himself at the end of November. From this time, the large department stores woo passers by with colourful and elaborate Christmas window displays.
The market season begins with the Women's Christmas Fair at the Old Harbour (Vanha Satama) at the very start of December and the largest is the St. Thomas Market, held in the city centre Esplanade Park throughout December. There is also an indoor Christmas market in the city centre in the Old Student Hall.
The St Thomas Market in Helsinki's Esplanade Park is the biggest Christmas market in Finland with close to 150 vendors in red wooden stalls. On weekends Santa Claus visits the market which is open throughout December.
The Women’s Christmas Market was organised for the first time in 1922 by the Finnish Feminist Association in order to encourage women to make their own products and earn some income from them. In 1979 the tradition was continued by the Women’s Cultural Association.
T: +358 (0)9 169 3757.
www.visithelsinki.fi |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Welcome to Helsinki
Helsinki is one of Europe’s most modern and culturally progressive cities, yet remains in touch with an intriguing history stretching back over 450 years. It is a city of bustling, colourful market squares and halls, of outdoor summer concerts and sports events, of seaside parks, of excellent cafes and restaurants for every taste and budget, top-notch hotels and cutting-edge art in fine museums. It is also a pleasantly compact city, with many of the attractions in the central districts, within easy reach of one another.
Attractions range from the fabulous island fortress of Suomenlinna in the entrance to the South Harbour and the Open Air Museum of traditional buildings on the island of Seurasaari, to the startling Kiasma housing the Museum of Contemporary Art and the unique ‘Church in the Rock’. History abounds in the magnificent Senate Square, with its neo-Classical Lutheran Cathedral, in the nearby Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral, and in the art nouveau details of the Railway Museum and National Museum.
Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna is a major monument of military architecture. The 250-year-old fortress, which has been preserved intact because of its military use, is today part of the world heritage. Suomenlinna is one of Finland’s most popular tourist attractions. At the same time it is a suburb of Helsinki, with 850 people living in the renovated ramparts and barracks.
Rock Church – Helsinki
Quarried out of the natural bedrock, Temppeliaukio Church is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions. The interior walls are created naturally by the rock. The church was designed by architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969. Due to its excellent acoustics the church is a popular venue for concerts.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Additional services provided:
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
