Page 658 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

656  SC ANDINA VIA

Helsinki’s most notable
examples of Finnish National-
Romantic architecture. The
museum illustrates the history
of Finland, from prehistory to
the present day through a
variety of artifacts. One of
the highlights is the throne of
Czar Alexander I from 1809.
The striking wall painting
by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865–
1931) in the entrance hall
depicts scenes from Finland’s
The steep south-facing steps leading to the Neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral national epic, a poem known
as the Kalevala.
4 Helsinki Cathedral 6 Kiasma, Museum
Unioninkatu 29, Senaatintori. Tel of Contemporary 9 Temppeliaukio
09-234 06120. v 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4T, 7A, Art
7B. @ 16. Open daily, except during Church
services. 7 call in advance. Crypt: Mannerheiminaukio 2. Tel 09-945 Lutherinkatu 3. Tel 09-234 06320. v
Open Jun–Aug: daily. ∑ helsingin 00501. @ v 4, 4T, 7A, 7B, 10 & many 2. @ 14, 18, 39, 39B, 41, 42, 45, 70T,
kirkot.fi/en/churches/cathedral routes. Open Tue–Sun. Closed public 205. Open daily (Sun: pm only). 7
hols. & 8 7 - = ∑ kiasma.fi
The five green cupolas of
the gleaming white Lutheran This glass and metal-paneled Built into a granite outcrop
Cathedral are a landmark on building, designed by American with walls of stone, this circular
Helsinki’s skyline. Designed by architect Steven Holl, was “Church in the Rock” is an
C.L. Engel, the Neoclassical completed in 1998 at a cost of astonishing piece of modern
building sits at the top of a over 227 million Finnish markka. architecture. Consecrated
steep flight of steps. With its fluid lines and white in 1969, it is the work of
White Corinthian columns interior, the museum is built architects Timo and Tuomo
decorate the splendid exterior, in a curve to maximize natural Suomalainen. The ceiling is
while the inside is rather light in the exhibition spaces. an enormous, domed, copper
spartan. There are, however, Intended as an exhibition disk, separated from the
statues of the 16th-century space for post-1960 art, Kiasma rough-surfaced rock walls by
Protestant reformers Martin hosts mixed media shows, art a ribbed ring of glass, which
Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, installations, contemporary allows light to filter in from
the great humanist scholar, and drama, and art workshops. outside. The austere interior is
Mikael Agricola, translator of the relatively free of iconography
Bible into Finnish. Beneath the 7 Finlandia Hall and religious symbolism.
cathedral is a crypt, now used Mannerheimintie 13E. Tel 09-40241. As well as being a major
for concerts and exhibitions. visitor attraction – some half
v 4, 4T, 7A, 7B, 10. @ 40. & 8 by
appt. 7 ∑ finlandiatalo.fi/en a million people come to
5 Ateneum Art Located in the tranquil setting of admire the church each year –
Museum Hesperia Park, striking Finlandia
Hall is one of architect Alvar
Kaivokatu 2. Tel 0294-500 401. v 1A, Aalto’s best-known works. The
2, 3, 4, 4T, 6, 6T, 7B, 9. Open 10am– hall hosts conferences and
6pm Tue & Fri, 9am–8pm Wed & Thu,
10am–5pm Sat & Sun. & 8 7 events, as well as a variety of
- ∑ ateneum.fi/en music and dance performances.
Located in the heart of the city, 8 National Museum
next to the main station, this
museum is part of the Finnish of Finland
National Gallery and houses Mannerheimintie 34. Tel 040-1286
the biggest collection of art 6469. @ 40. v 4, 4T, 7A, 7B, 10.
in Finland. In addition to over Open 11am–6pm Tue–Sun. Closed
20,000 works of art spanning public hols. & 7 8 by appt. -
two centuries (1750s–1950s), = ∑ nba.fi/en/nationalmuseum
there are interesting temporary
exhibitions. The building was Dating from the start of the
designed by Theodor Höijer 20th century, the National Interior of Temppeliaukio Church, with its
and completed in 1887. Museum of Finland is one of copper and glass dome
For hotels and restaurants see p662 and p663

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