Historic Churches and Landmarks in Helsinki, Finland - GPS Audio Tour
Places: 17 POIsDistance: 3.41 miDuration: 1h:42m
Tour #1806
About this English self-guided 1h:42m walking tour in Helsinki
Hello and welcome to this UCPlaces tour of Helsinki Finland, a great choice if you're looking for Finland guided tours.
My name is Dave, and I'll be your guide today as we explore this capital Finnish city known for historic churches, art museums, and sauna culture. Today we will delve into the best places to visit in town, and learn about what makes Helsinki so special. For starters, women make up 53% of the population. Not bad. Ok, let's get started. Follow your navigation and we will begin shortly.
Distance: 0.58mi
, Attraction : Entertainment Center
Karamzininranta 2, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki Music Centre
We will begin our tour in the Töölönlahti district of Helsinki, conveniently located near the central railway station and right off the E-12 highway. Everybody ready to embark? Great, let’s get going!
The first point of interest on our tour is the Helsinki Music Centre. The building itself is a remarkable piece of contemporary architecture. It was designed by the Finnish architectural firm LPR Architects and was completed in 2011. The design is characterized by its distinctive white exterior and striking, curved glass façade, which has won awards for its innovative and aesthetically pleasing design.
The Music Centre is renowned for its acoustically superior concert halls. The main concert hall, known as the "Helsinki Hall," can seat over 1,700 people and is known for its exceptional acoustics, making it a preferred venue for classical music performances. In addition to the main hall, there are several smaller performance spaces and rehearsal rooms that cater to a wide range of musical genres and events.
The Helsinki Music Centre hosts a diverse array of musical performances, including classical concerts, chamber music, jazz, world music, and contemporary compositions. It is the primary venue for the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, among other musical ensembles. The center also hosts international artists and collaborations, making it a vibrant cultural hub for music lovers.
In addition to its performance spaces, the Music Centre is committed to music education and outreach. It houses the Sibelius Academy, which is one of Europe's leading music universities, and offers music education programs for students of all ages and skill levels. The Music Centre also conducts educational workshops, masterclasses, and outreach programs to engage with the community.
The Helsinki Music Centre has become an integral part of Helsinki's cultural scene and contributes significantly to the city's reputation as a center of music and the arts. It provides a platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase their talents and enriches the cultural landscape of Finland. Apart from concert halls and educational spaces, the Music Centre includes amenities such as a music shop, a restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city.
Coming up ahead is the The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, often referred to simply as Kiasma, and is one of the most prominent and celebrated contemporary art museums in Finland. It is known for its unique architecture, diverse exhibitions, and its role in showcasing contemporary art from both Finnish and international artists.
Kiasma's building itself is a work of art. Designed by American architect Steven Holl, it is a striking and modern architectural masterpiece. The building's design features a curved, asymmetrical shape with a combination of glass, steel, and concrete. Its innovative design has won numerous awards and makes it a landmark in Helsinki.
The museum is dedicated to contemporary art, which means you can expect to see a wide range of artistic expressions and mediums. The museum's exhibitions encompass various art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, video art, installations, and more. It's a place where you can encounter cutting-edge and thought-provoking artworks that challenge traditional notions of art.
Kiasma hosts a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions that change regularly. This means that every visit offers something new and exciting. The museum often features both Finnish and international artists, providing a global perspective on contemporary art.
In front of the Museum stands the The Mannerheim Statue. It is dedicated to Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, a Finnish military leader and statesman who played a crucial role in Finnish history, particularly during and after World War II.
The statue was unveiled on June 4, 1960, in a grand ceremony attended by numerous dignitaries and the general public. The event marked the centenary of Mannerheim's birth.
The statue portrays Marshal Mannerheim on horseback, symbolizing his military leadership and his status as a national hero. He is depicted in full military uniform, and the statue captures a sense of his strength and determination.
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was a crucial figure in Finnish history. He served as the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defense Forces during the Winter War (1939-1940), and the Continuation War (1941-1944) against the Soviet Union. He later became the President of Finland from 1944 to 1946. Mannerheim is widely regarded as a unifying and stabilizing force during a turbulent period in Finnish history.
Ahead and to our right is the fantastic spectacle known as Amos Rex Museum. The museum is situated in the Lasipalatsi building, which is a historic structure dating back to the 1930s. The building was originally designed as a commercial center and has undergone extensive renovations to accommodate the unique architectural features of Amos Rex while preserving its historical significance.
Amos Rex is named after Amos Anderson, a Finnish newspaper magnate and art collector. The museum's founding is rooted in the collection of Amos Anderson, and it continues to uphold his legacy of supporting the arts.
One of the standout features of Amos Rex is its stunning architectural design. The museum is situated beneath the Lasipalatsi Square in the city center, and its roof is an undulating landscape with large circular skylights called "lenses" that allow natural light to filter into the exhibition spaces below. The unique architecture of Amos Rex has made it a notable landmark in Helsinki.
Amos Rex is committed to presenting contemporary art in engaging and unconventional ways. The museum aims to challenge traditional norms of exhibition spaces and bring art to life in a dynamic and immersive manner.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Helsinki Music Centre
Place 2Mannerheim Statue and Kiasma Museum
Place 3Amos Rex
Place 4Storytime
Place 5Alexis Kivi Memorial
Place 6Ateneum Art Museum
Place 7Helsinki Cathedral
Place 8Senate Square
Place 9Market Square
Place 10Esplanadi Park
Place 11Finnish Cuisine
Place 12Johannes Church
Place 13Vanha Kirkko (Old Church)
Place 14Sinebrychoff Art Museum
Place 15Sauna Culture
Place 16The Helsinki Art Museum (HAM)
Place 17Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)
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Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
