The tour begins - as seen from Helsinki Market Square, Helsinki City Hall...built 1833 as a hotel/casino/theater/business center...bought by the city in 1901, and then converted to the city hall in 1920.
 The sea birds take a break from trying to steal goodies from those eating from the food vendors on the square. |  |
Out across the harbor, two sailboats come in through the sea mist - we'll have blue skies all day, but just over there south of us there's a fog bank coming across the outer harbor.
 Courtesy of Negut Gabriel (MISSOURRY), as posted in Google Maps. |  Uspenski Cathedral, a Greek Orthodox church from 1868... |
Gerri peruses a knick-knack stand on market square.
We purchased a three-day public transportation pass to get around Helsinki.
We then head a block north to Senate Square...
Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, from 1852...its large steeple covered by a veil for remodeling. Rocky should have taken a trip here to try out these awesome steps.
Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, from 1852...its large steeple covered by a veil for remodeling. Rocky should have taken a trip here to try out these awesome steps.
 Helsinki is not a medieval city - all of its city-scale buildings are no older than those of U.S. cities on the eastern seaboard - it grew to city status after 1800 from earlier trade towns and fishing villages as empires developed in the region. The city museum above is the oldest building in the city. |  |
The Prime Minister of Finland's digs seen from the cathedral's steps...
Rapala fishing lures - ya, they're from Finland!
 |  Copyright - 11 October 2018, 13:45:50 Author - Denis Koshelev / unmodified https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ "Havis Amanda is a fountain and a statue by the sculptor Ville Vallgren (1855–1940). The work was modelled in 1906 in Paris, and erected at its present location at the Market Square in 1908. Today it is recognized as one of the most important and beloved pieces of art in Helsinki." For us, this sight is also under renovation, with the statue taken away being conserved and the fountain hidden behind a fence. |
Continuing onto the Esplanadi - "a city park that opened in 1812 with avenues of mature trees and a stage for live music performances, very popular for strolling"...
It's the fudge wagon - we restricted ourselves to the free samples - the fudge girl was very friendly.
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We headed from the park to see more urban "jungle" - a display from a store front promotes local chinaware and then we see more naked statue people, only temporarily clothed.
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"Helsinki Central Station is the main station for commuter rail and long-distance trains. The railway tracks in Helsinki were built in the 1860s. The station building, clad in granite, was inaugurated in 1919. The building is known for its clock tower and the Lyhdynkantajat ("The Lantern Bearers") statues. Helsinki Central was chosen as one of the world's most beautiful railway stations by the BBC in 2013. "
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The Amos Rex art museum complex, subterranean in this portion...
...for the exterior part, it's like a playground for all ages...
 |  ...Tim conquers the major peak. |
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 Just this month an entrance fee of $5 began - we didn't feel a need to calm down, so we just enjoyed the outside of it. | The Kamppi Chapel, from 2012, is in the neighbourhood of Kamppi and located on the Narinkka Square. It is also known as the "Chapel of Silence" since it is intended to be a place to calm down and have a moment of silence in one of the busiest areas of the city.  |
Finally we closed out the day with some all-you-can-eat sushi - this tiny buffet-style place was very appealing. We ended up eating there twice during our stay in Helsinki - the staff even tried to give us a frequent-visitor punch card when we returned.
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