Finland, Day 2, part 2

On arriving back in Market square you can begin a walk around the city taking in the major sites. Take a map with all of the sites marked. As you exit the Old Market on your right you will see the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral on to top of a slight hill. Walk to it, up the hill and have a look around. The church has an exquisite interior and is used by Orthodox Christian worshipers. Then down again. At the base of that hill you will see the Garlic restaurant. So keep it in mind if you are looking for an interesting place to eat at later. Continue straight up the rather narrow street opposite the restaurant, and this will bring you to Senate Square at the corner of Unioninkatu and Aleksanterinkatu streets. I maybe wrong but this is the greatest concentration of souvenir shops you will find in Helsinki, so if you have to have a mug, troll, or magnet this is the place to buy it. On the square is also the tourist info, library, Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and a shop for sauna paraphernalia. The oldest stone building in Helsinki is the Sederholm House located on the southeast corner of the square. The main building of the City Museum can be found on the Sofiankatu museum street. Standing centre is the statue of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Take a run up the steps of the Cathedral - great photo op - and poke around in this far let ornate Cathedral. The entrance is on the left hand side of the building, not the side where the steps are. Open Mon-Sun 9-18, during summer 9-24. Leave from the same side entrance you used to go in and go straight down the steps in front of you, not the ones on the square. Now you are walking to the shopping area of the city, and Alexander Street. On this street you can catch a 3T tram to Kauppakorkeakoulut. Get off here and follow the sign to the Rock Church or Temppeliaukio Church at Lutherinkatu 3. This unusual church is built into the granite rock that Helsinki is built on. There is also a touristy shop just by the entrance. Open basically from 10am to 8pm and closed on Tuesdays in winter between 12:45-14:15. Check out the site for the complicated open hours. Now return on 3T ending up back on the Esplanade and have a casual stroll down this attractive street. Round off your day with one of the restaurants in the area. You may enjoy the tractor decorated Zetor, or the Iguana, for a good Pizza. The Iguana also has a bar, and a sauna for rent.

Photo by Jenn