Exploring Rich History & Today's Modern Design

Finland, a country where two-thirds of the land is covered in forests, is home to Helsinki, a vibrant seaside city on its southern tip. This nation, famous for inventing the sauna and the quirky sport of wife-carrying, boasts a capital that perfectly blends laid-back charm with metropolitan sophistication. Helsinki remains a major shipbuilding hub, notably one of the few places producing mighty ice-breakers.

Our day was spent discovering the city's beauty and rich culture through a tour of its main highlights, including towering cathedrals, an impressive library, the Olympic Stadium, and a unique house of worship.
The contemporary Temppeliaukio Church is a magnificent Lutheran church built directly into solid rock and undeniably a masterpiece of modern architecture. The interior is excavated from granite rock and topped with a copper dome. The walls are bare rock, giving it a natural, cave-like feel. Natural light floods the interior through skylights surrounding the center dome, which consists of thousands of strands of copper wire, creating a serene atmosphere. Due to its rock walls, the church has exceptional acoustics and is often used for concerts.

How timely that our tour should pass by the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki while the games are still taking place in Paris? Originally built for the 1940 Summer Olympics, the event was unfortunately cancelled due to World War II. However, the stadium fulfilled its Olympic destiny in 1952 when Helsinki hosted the Summer Games. The same structure built for the 1940 event was used, and it continues to stand in its original location today along with a statue of Paavo Nurmi.

Nurmi was part of a talented group of Finnish athletes who were nicknamed the ‘Flying Finns’. He made his Olympic debut at the 1920 Antwerp Games. He took the competition by storm winning gold medals in the 10,000m, the cross-country individual and team event. He also claimed a silver in the 5,000m. At the 1924 Paris Games, Nurmi made history by becoming the first athlete ever to win five gold medals at a single Olympic Games. In the space of four astonishing days, Nurmi won the 1500m, the 5,000m, the 3,000m team event and the two cross-country events.

Another famous individual in Helsinki is Jean Sibelius, who composed "Finlandia" in 1899. Helsinki has made significant efforts to honor his legacy. The most prominent memorial is the Sibelius Monument in Sibelius Park. This striking abstract sculpture, resembling a cluster of Birch trees, was designed by Eila Hiltunen and unveiled in 1967. It is composed primarily stainless steel, with over 600 hollow steel pipes welded together. The monument weighs approximately 24 tons and spans a height of 28 feet.

We admired some of the summer homes along the drive followed by a stop at Senate Square, which featured neoclasical buildings dsigned by the German architect Carl Ludvig Engel including the Lutheran Helsinki Cathedral and the National Libary of Finland. For those that know me, you'll find it easy to understand that I loved the stunning Oodi Helsinki Central Library. Opened in December 2018, this architectural marvel is far more than just a place to borrow books. Oodi, which means "ode" in Finnish, is a celebration of Finnish culture, learning, and innovation. The building itself is a work of art. Its wave-like structure, clad in Finnish spruce, is a nod to Finland's rich forests.

The large glass and steel facade allows natural light to flood the interior, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's designed as a living meeting place. The ground floor, known as the "Citizens' Balcony," features a cinema, a restaurant, and exhibition spaces. It's a bustling area perfect for events and casual gatherings. Jeff and I engaged in a speed-version of chess at one of the many tables located here. The "Book Heaven" houses the library's book collection in an open, serene space with stunning views of the city. Comfortable seating areas invite visitors to relax and read. Just my kind of place! The second floor is dedicated to creativity and learning. It features music studios, 3D printing facilities, sewing machines, and even a kitchen for culinary workshops.

These spaces are free for public use, embodying Finland's commitment to lifelong learning. If I lived here, this is certainly a place where I'd be tempted to inger most days!