Schmap Helsinki Historical Background

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Helsinki - Historical Background
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The city of Helsinki was founded by a Royal Decree issued on 12 June 1550 by King Gustavus I Vasa of the developing superpower, Sweden. He ordered merchants of the towns of Porvoo, Tammisaari, Rauma and Ulvila to move to the mouth of the river Vantaa in the parish of Helsinge (Swedish Helsingfors, meaning the "Helsinge rapids"). The thriving trading centre of Tallinn on the south coast of the Gulf of Finland had long been an eyesore to Sweden, and the King desired to capture much of its trade, to relocate it in Helsinki, which was not only equally conveniently located halfway through the Gulf, but also provided an outlet from the rich hinterlands of Finland. Although this founding motive was effectively lost in 1561, when Sweden conquered Tallinn and Estonia, Helsinki nevertheless developed into a smug, moderately successful trading port.

In 1640, Sweden took action in order to display its new status as a superpower, and the Regency government of the young Queen Christina reformed many Swedish cities, incorporating wider lanes and more impressive façades of buildings. In Finland two notable things happened. The Gymnasium in Turku was upgraded to a Royal University, and the city of Helsinki was moved from the rapids at the mouth of the river Vantaa to the outer islands; a place called Vironniemi ("Estonian Point"), its name reflecting the closeness of Estonia and its fishermen who habitually sheltered there. Both the Finnish (ie. Helsinki) University and the city of Helsinki commemorate the child Queen Christina as their founder. The new location of the city, however, was not strategically superior to the old one, as was shown by invading Russian troops during the Great Northern War in 1713, who razed the city to the ground. They occupied Finland for some eight years, and the story of Helsinki began for the third time in 1721.

A New Helsinki and Invasion & Occupation

The rebuilding of Helsinki also included a new church, named after Queen Ulrika Eleonora, which was finished in 1727. The snow church built in the Senate Square every winter is a replica of this, Helsinki's third church. The eighteenth century saw the founding of the island fortress Suomenlinna ("Finland's Castle"), then known as Sveaborg ("Sweden's Castle"). Intended as a military fortress and base for an offensive against Russia, the building of Sveaborg was begun by Augustin Ehrensvärd in 1748; the first phase was completed in 1750, and hence it celebrated its 250th anniversary in the year 2000. Despite being described as "the Gibraltar of the North", Sveaborg's military record is not impressive. It surrendered shamefully without a fight to invading Russia in May 1808, marking the beginning of 110 years of Russian rule. In 1855, the by now hopelessly outdated Sveaborg was bombarded by British and French warships. The allies were fighting Russia in the Crimean War (which, despite its name, was fought on all fronts), and Sveaborg was still the gateway to St. Petersburg. Meaning to cause as much damage as possible, the allied artillery scattered 20,000 shells on the island fortress in 46 hours. Surrender was the sole option.

A New Addition to the Russian Empire

Yet Russian rule did not only bring war. Without precedent, Finland was made an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire, and in 1812 Czar Alexander I made Helsinki its capital. Destroyed completely by fire in 1808, it was possible to build the city up from scratch, and from 1814 two men were employed to design the city's street plan and main buildings in accordance with its new status. The memory of Carl Ludvig Engel still lives on today; a visit to Helsinki means you will certainly see his work, which he designed over a thirty year period. The Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral and the University Library are all his, in the neoclassical style which permeates the city, and in the simple style and light shades of colour which later gave Helsinki the name of "the White City of the North". The man who designed the city's original street plan, Johan Albrecht Ehrenström, is today virtually forgotten, although he was the one responsible for the outcome of their city plan, and the only likely place one will run into his name is in the (misspelled) street name of Albertinkatu.

19th Century Prosperity

The nineteenth century saw Helsinki thrive, bolstered partly by the gradual rise of national pride. The great fire of Turku in 1827 resulted in the University being moved to Helsinki in 1828. The Finnish Literary Society was founded in 1831. Up from four thousand in 1810, by the 1850s Helsinki had 50,000 inhabitants, and the pace of life was much the same as in many European cities. The Kaivopuisto Spa (unfortunately destroyed during WWII) attracted tourists, the Esplanade was a restful place for a promenade, and from 1840 Kappeli was already a favourite haunt for many. The 1855 bombardment of Sveaborg barely touched Helsinki (but for a couple overshot shells), and the population even gathered on hills to watch the dramatic "fireworks"! The military withdrew from Sveaborg after that for some decades, and people began to enjoy their free time on the scenic island, a tradition running even stronger today. Steamships appeared on the scene, connecting Helsinki to Tallinn and St. Petersburg, followed by railways a little later. The University spread wider into much of the older side of the city, which it still occupies today. The face of Helsinki was being established. The New Theatre (now the Swedish Theatre) was finished in 1865, the Uspensky Cathedral in 1868, the (Old) Student House in 1870, the recently restored Hotel Kämp in 1887, and the national art museum Ateneum and the Old Market Hall in 1889. Three hundred years after the first ambitions of King Gustavus Vasa I, Helsinki had taken the place of Tallinn as the focus on the Gulf of Finland.

The Fight for Independence

In Russia, the First World War led to the Communist Revolution in 1917. Seizing its opportunity, Finland declared independence on 6 December 1917. Yet Russian troops were still within its boundaries, and internal turmoil led to civil war. The government withdrew to Ostrobothnia, and Helsinki was taken over by Finnish socialists and the Red Guard, who declared a People's Republic of Finland. While the White army under General Carl Gustav Mannerheim desperately fought to gain control of the country, the government eventually sent for help to Imperial Germany, whose army's Baltic Division managed to gain control of Helsinki. The end of the war brought Germany's defeat, and its troops retreated from Finland. The government soon controlled the country again, and the Republic of Finland was born for good.

The Second World War

As a nation, Finland was not tested until the outbreak of the Second World War. During its first part, the Winter War (30.11.1939-13.3.1940) Helsinki was only bombed nine times. The Continuation War (22.6.1941-30.9.1944) brought heavier air raids, yet thanks partly to extremely efficient anti-air artillery, only 799 bombs, less than 5% of those dropped, landed in the city area. City casualties of both wars with the Soviet Union only came to 241 people killed and 109 buildings destroyed. Those who fell at the battle fronts, however, numbered much higher. Most of them were brought back to be buried in Hietaniemi Cemetery.

The hero of the war was Marshall Mannerheim, who was elected president in 1944. His burial on a freezing February day in 1951 brought the people of Helsinki to the streets in mourning, as the Marshall was laid to rest in Hietaniemi. Mannerheim is still held in highest esteem by all Finns, as is shown by the naming of Helsinki's principal street in his honour. A statue of the Marshall riding his favourite horse (unveiled in 1950) is situated by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Kiasma (finished 1998).

A New Century A New Helsinki

The new century saw the winds of nationalism blowing stronger than ever, and the Art Nouveau buildings (locally the style is known by its German name Jugend) of the city (especially in Kruununhaka, Katajanokka, Ullanlinna and Eira) are a visible reminder. Buildings by architects like Herman Geselius, Armas Lindgren, Eliel Saarinen and Lars Sonck (such as the Railway Station, the National Museum, all of the Eira district, the Eira Hospital, and the Kallio Church), are great examples. Art Nouveau was followed by Functionalism, a flagship of which is Lasipalatsi (the Glass Palace), so named for all its windows.

After the war Helsinki developed a fully-fledged suburbia, and in 1965 its population surpassed half a million. Previous to that, in 1952, Helsinki had successfully hosted the Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, which made the city better well-known globally. Architecturally, the second half of the century belonged to Alvar Aalto, whose buildings are nearly as numerous in Helsinki as those of Engel.

Although the car is still the most popular form of transport, Helsinki has an efficient public transport system. To add to the many tram lines criss-crossing the city, and an efficient bus system, a subway was constructed in 1982, extensions to which are under discussion today.

Culturally and socially Helsinki went through the same movements as the rest of the world. The 1990s were of special interest, with Helsinki flowering into a new era of cultural enjoyment. That decade saw the construction of the New Opera House and of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the restoration of Lasipalatsi, the Cathedral and Hotel Kämp, and the renovation of the two new cinema multiplexes, Kinopalatsi and Tennispalatsi. It also saw the ongoing restoration of Suomenlinna (the former Sveaborg, renamed in 1917, now one of UNESCO's world heritage sites and a great place to picnic!), as well as of Kallio Church and the National Museum. In the year 2000, when it celebrated the 450th anniversary of Helsinki, it was also named one of the cultural capitals of the European Union for the year.

Although Helsinki is a relatively young city, with its oldest building dating only from 1757, the wish of King Gustavus I Vasa has been fulfilled, if in a different fashion. Today Helsinki is a cultural focal point of the Baltic region because of all the activity it generates and attracts. Strong winds from an active and amazingly diverse society of arts and culture are reason enough for the city to sail proudly in the waters of the new millennium, and everyone is encouraged to hop on board!

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Ateneumin Art Museum

The most important museum of Finnish art

2 Kaivokatu
Helsinki 00100
Finland
+358 9 173 361
http://www.fng.fi/fng/html4/fi...

Located in the heart of the city, this museum houses various genres of art including surrealism, expressionism and cubism. It also has a collection of Italian 14th-century pieces. The main emphasis, however, lies on Finnish art from the mid-18th century to the 1960s; you will find the work of Isak Wacklin, and that of Wäinö Aaltonen, whose statue of Aleksis Kivi stands directly opposite the museum. The museum boasts of an interesting bookstore and fabulous café.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Finnish National Opera (Suomen Kansallisooppera)

Glorious sight framed by trees and water 58 Helsinginkatu
P. O. Box 176
Helsinki, Southern Finland 00260
Finland
+358 (0)9 4030 2211 (Box Office)
http://www.operafin.fi Completed in 1993, this is one of the greatest works of modern Finnish architecture with a sense of spaciousness and light throughout. There is an outdoor amphitheater facing a park and the opera building often hosts small art exhibitions. Performances sell out quickly. There's free chamber music in the foyer on Saturday and the Alminsali hall hosts smaller operatic, ballet and jazz performances.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Hietaniemen Cemetery

For people who love the Père Lachaise 20 Hietaniemenkatu
Helsinki 00100
Finland
+358 0 228 1600 The unusual Hietaniemi Cemetery is within walking distance of the city centre, right next to a beach. It is divided into four parts: a Lutheran cemetery, an Orthodox one, a Jewish and an Islamic one. The very lush, park-like area is popular for strolls amongst people, red squirrels and various kinds of waterfowl. The Lutheran cemetery is divided into two areas. The magnificent older part is the final resting place of a number of famous people, including C. L. Engel, the man who designed a large part of the city, and world-renowned architect Alvar Aalto. Finland's best-known artist Gallen-Kallela, authors Mika Waltari and Topelius and six Finnish presidents were also buried here. There are separate sections for National Theatre actors and the Finnish martyrs; the latter are commemorated by students each Independence Day. Helsinki Expert arranges two-hour tours of the Jewish cemetery.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Hotel Kämp

Luxury in the city center 29 Pohjoisesplanadi
Helsinki 00100
Finland
+358 (0)9 576 111
http://www.hotelkamp.fi This hotel combines tradition, modernity and quality. If you want to make your stay as luxurious as possible, this is your hotel. Kämp is situated as centrally as can be, between Esplanadi Park and Aleksanterinkatu shopping street. Also in close proximity are the Stockmann department store, Svenska Teatern, the main market square and the Presidential Palace. The building includes a 24-hour business center, several restaurants and Kämp Gallerian shopping arcade. This hotel closes during the Christmas holiday and reopens in January.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Kaivopuisto Park

Popular, historic park Kaivopuisto
Helsinki 00140
Finland
Kaivopuisto is Helsinki's most famous park, filled with sights. Its cliffs offer fantastic views of the city and archipelago. Kaivopuisto was founded in 1830, mainly as a spa facility for aristocrats. They also built Kaivohuone, still a popular place for relaxing, parties and dining. As the Crimean War and the 1850 cholera epidemic came along, the spa shut down and was later destroyed during World War II. Nowadays, Kaivopuisto is a popular place for strolls and summer picnics. On May Day, this is the best place in the city, and thousands of people spend the day here. The park is used for many events, celebrations and free concerts. Kaivopuisto and its surroundings contain a multitude of sights, such as the American, British and French embassies, Mannerheim Museum and Cygnaeus Gallery. Across the road that lines the shore is the popular café Ursula. The park's two most famous landmarks are along Iso Puistotie street: Kaivohuone, and the Kalastava Karhu or "Fishing Bear" well. In the centre of the park stands the elegant Ursa observatory. Nearby is a bust of Nordenskiöld, the explorer who discovered the passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Kallion Church

Majestic Kallio church 2 Itäinen Papinkatu
Helsinki 00530
Finland
+358 9 753 2086
http://www.helsinginseurakunna... The spectacular Kallio church was designed by well-known architect Lars Sonck at the end of the nineteenth century. It was built of grey granite in 1912 onto a high place from where its handsome tower looms over the city. The bells of the tower play a melody composed by Jean Sibelius. Inside the church are numerous interesting details such as a crucifix and relief made by sculptor Hannes Autere. In 1990 the church got an urn cemetery, where urns are temporarily preserved and then transferred into a special stone grave under the church. This restored the old tradition of burying the deceased under the church floor. Kallio church is also known as a centre for organ music in Helsinki, the acoustics are excellent. The church has two organs—the main one represents the French Romantic style, and the other one is Baroque. These organs have been noticed and played by internationally known top organists.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Kiasma Gallery of Art and Architecture

Museum of Contemporary Art 2 Mannerheiminaukio
Helsinki 00100
Finland
+358 (0)9 1733 6501
http://www.kiasma.fi/ Kiasma will fascinate anyone interested in contemporary art and architecture, with everything from installations, paintings and audio landscapes to lectures and performances in the museum's built—in theater. See Kiasma's homepage for further information, including the open hours.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Railway Station

Renowned architectural masterpiece Rautatientori
Helsinki 00100
Finland
The Railway Station is an important symbol of Helsinki, as well as an internationally renowned pearl of architecture. The building dates from 1914, and represents late Finnish Art Nouveau. It is the main work of famous architect Eliel Saarinen. The façade of the Railway Station, with its main entrance framed by a row of huge statues holding lanterns designed by Emil Wikström, is a familiar sight to all Finns. The pink—granite and copper structure with its famous clock tower is beautiful inside as well; old lamps and a beige colouring are complemented by original woodwork, creating a warm atmosphere. The Railway Station brings together many forms of travel: railway, metro and buses (on the square next to the station). Trams go right past the building as well. The shops and tunnels under the station offer bargain shopping opportunities and good connections to most of the city centre. The tunnels are a convenient route to take especially during bad weather.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Suurkirkko

Helsinki's most photographed building 29 Unioninkatu
(Senaatintori)
Helsinki 00100
Finland
+358 9 709 2455 The Lutheran Cathedral (also Suurkirkko or St. Nicholas Church) is Helsinki's most important landmark. The majestic outline of its 71 meter central tower illustrates the true glory of the White City of the North. The cathedral was designed by C. L. Engel in 1830; when Engel died in 1840, E. B. Lohrmann took over the supervision and added several touches to the original blueprints, including details in the simple yet beautiful interior. The cathedral was finally completed in 1852, though the famous grand steps would not be there for another 20 years. Despite the western, classical style, the influences of Russia and especially that of Czar Nicholas I are also visible. The cathedral's famous statues of the Apostles were originally Nicholas's idea. The Czar also donated the altarpiece, the work of Russian artist von Neff. The cathedral has a high—ceilinged crypt, a venue for exhibitions and concerts, and a café open every summer. The cathedral, decorated with statues of Mikael Agricola and the religious reformers Luther and Melanchthon, hosts both ordinary and more official (Government and University) services, as well as various concerts.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Swedish Theatre

Lovely round theatre 2 Pohjoisesplanadi
Helsinki 00130
Finland
+358 9 6162 1411
http://www.svenskateatern.fi The round white building of the Swedish Theatre, Svenska Teatern, is an important Helsinki landmark. The building and its surrounding shops, statues and park form a relaxing area in the city centre. The first theatre to be built in this spot was completed in 1827, but replaced later; this wooden building burnt down, and so a new theatre was constructed in 1866 after designs by Russian architect Nicholas Benois. Today, the red-and-gold décor with its lovely boxes and columns is still as it was in Benois's day. The exterior of the building was restored and smoothed out under the control of architects Jarl Eklund and Eero Saarinen in 1936. The theatre is a landmark of the times leading up to Finnish independence; it was the venue of the first-ever performance of Sibelius's Finlandia, conducted by the composer himself. The great hall seats about 500 people, and the small hall about 100. The theatre transcends the language barrier, as evidenced by the 80,000-100,000 people who attend performances there yearly. The Swedish Theatre is known for its performances of classical drama as well as its musical repertoire.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Tennispalatsi

Where it's all at 15 Salomonkatu
Helsinki 00100
Finland
+358 600 007 007
http://www.finnkino.fi Tennispalatsi is situated right next to Helsinki's main bus station, in an indoor tennis complex built in 1938 for the Helsinki Summer Olympics. The 14 screens, each with a THX rating, show mostly mainstream films. Screen 1 is the biggest in Northern Europe (9x20m). The box office opens every day at 10am. In addition to the film theatre, the building also houses several restaurants, snack bars and stands, a café, the Museum of Culture and the Helsinki City Art Museum.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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The University of Helsinki Main Building

Beautiful historical building 35 Unionsgatan
Helsinki 00170
Finland
+358 9 1911
http://www.helsinki.fi In 1827 the Turku Academy was moved to Helsinki as the Russians came to power and the capital changed. The Academy needed a place to operate, so C. L. Engel designed a building on one side of the Senate Square; it was completed in 1832. The Academy began its operation and changed its name to the Imperial University. After Finland became independent, the name was changed again, to the University of Helsinki. The yellow main building is a close match to the Senate Building opposite, in dimensions, colour and style. The completion of this building brought the finishing touches to the uniform group of Empire—style buildings surrounding Senate Square. The University is one of Helsinki's main landmarks. The interiors of the building are very beautiful: the stairwells, stone floors and statues create a balanced but interesting whole. The stunning main festival hall is also a sight to behold. Still, the main reason for admiring this building is its outer form, the sense of balance it creates together with the Senate Building.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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University Library

One of Helsinki's most beautiful buildings 36 Unioninkatu
Helsinki 00170
Finland
+358 9 191 23196
http://www.lib.helsinki.fi/ The gorgeous University Library, right next to the main building of the University and the Cathedral, is one of Engel's most beautiful creations, completed in 1844. Large windows soften its yellow—and—white exterior, while trees surround the back of the building, making this one of Helsinki's most endearing sights. The outer wall of the library sports a bronze bust of Czar Alexander I and a plaque commemorating the designers of the old city centre, J. A. Ehrenström and C. L. Engel. The interior of the library building is also spectacular. The old interiors are in good shape, and the current refurbishment process is expected to bring even more of the old lustre back. The main hall with its old—fashioned furnishings and marvellous ceiling frescoes is one of the most admired interiors in Finland. The soft, beautiful exterior and serene mood of the petite building, overshadowed by taller, more majestic structures, have a calming effect on the whole neighbourhood.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Helsinki - Historical Background"
Helsinki
Helsinki - Neighborhood Guide
Helsinki - Where to Stay
Helsinki - Dining & Drinking
Helsinki - Art & Entertainment
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