We were excited for our stop in Helsinki because Doug served a 2-1/2 year Finnish mission there from 1969-1971, and this was the first time he has returned to Finland!
There was not as much to see and visit here as the rest of the countries we toured, but it was still fun to see Doug speak Finnish; our guide said he spoke very well.
Our Finnish tour bus!
Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral with guilded cupolas--completed in 1868, faces the...
...Luthern Cathedral on Senate Square--two major landmarks of the Helsinki skyline! The Luthern Church is the state religion. About 80 percent of Finns are Luthern but only 2 percent attend meetings weekly!!!
Completed in 1854 when Finland was part of Russia, the cathedral is topped with a prominent green dome and the 12 apostles.
Statue of Emperor Alexander II (erected in 1894 standing as a monument to Finland's relationship with Imperial Russia)--comprises Alexander on a pedestal surrounded by figures representing the law, culture and the peasant.
The simple, almost stark, interior of the Cathedral...
...is very different from the Russian Orthodox Cathedral nearby.
The organ above the...
chandelier
Originally built in 1832 as Senate of Finland, this building now houses offices of the Prime minister of Finland and cabinet.
City Hall
ROCK CHURCH--
The "Church in the Rock" does not look like much from the outside, but tourists flock to see its architecture.
This Lutheran church, built in 1969, was blasted 100 feet down in solid rock.
Sky-lit dome
The inside has natural rock walls and is topped with an interesting circular dome made of 13 miles of wound copper tubing.
Under the church is an air raid shelter equipped for 6,000 people.
Sibelius Monument--
Unusual monument created over a period of six years...
...using hundreds of steel pipes...
...and dedicated in 1967 to honor the most Famous Finnish composer...
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Helsinki was the site of the 1952 Summer Olympic Games--(l to r) Statue of the "Flying Finn"--Paavo Nurmi (famous Finnish runner)--Olympic Stadium Tower and stadium.
Helsinki Post Office--Doug remembers when he went to the post office and had quite the audience of post office employees that wanted to see the Mormon burial clothes that had arrived from America!
Helsinki Train Station (built in 1916)--a familiar place for Doug when he served as assistant to the president picking up and delivering missionaries to their different assignments.
MARKET SQUARE--
19th Century Market where vendors sell gorgeous flowers...
...souvenirs of all types...
...very fresh vegetables...
...and marvelous-looking berries!
We stopped a young Finnish couple to take a picture of their twin babies! Hello Kitty is popular worldwide!
When I think of Finland, I will always remember the beautiful flowers in this outdoor market the best!
Czarin's Stone in the Center of Market Square--erected in 1835 in honor of the visit of Czar Nicholas and Czarina Alexandra of Russia
Other sights of Helsinki--
Three Icebreakers in background--Surrounded by water on three sides, Helsinki has a natural seaport, which, thanks to powerful icebreakers, is kept open even in winter.
Finland has very strong involvement in the ship building industry.
One of many buildings with...
...beautiful architecture!
Esplanadi--big green area in the middle of Helsinki opened in 1812--Finland's version of Central Park in NYC
Johan Ludvig Runeberg's statue in Esplanadi--national poet of Finland
Seagul sitting atop statue of Johan
Helsinki is often called "the daughter of the Baltic," and this fountain has the city's symbol.
Russian Orthodox Cathedral as seen from the harbor
After all of these years hearing about Finland, I'm so glad I was able to be with Doug on his return!
Our next stop will be in St. Petersburg, Russia for two days!!!!!
6 comments:
I'm so glad that Doug was able to go back to his mission field. What a great feeling that must have been to still remember the language and see so many places he was familiar with. Plus, how exciting that he was able to show those special places to you!
I'm so glad you got to go back, after all these years! I wonder if Brian will ever take us to Alabama.
Oh that was really neat seeing pictures of Finland and picturing dad 41 years ago shaking hands and sharing his personality with the FInns. I bet he felt a sense of nostalgia being there...i sortof did for him:)
Dear sister Joyce, you have been to some amazing places and I love to read your blog and learn from your wealth of study and dialogue. This one was especially significant to me because of Doug's love for his mission. You were truly blessed to be able to return there for Doug to show the place he served so many years ago. I have enjoyed seeing your new entries every day and love that you take the time to explain things to your family and all that will take time to read. Thank you for this beautiful report. I look forward to your report on Russia.
So glad Dad finally got to go to the country he served for two years! What a neat experience I'm glad you were able to share together.
that is so cool you and Dad were both able to go to FInland. I love that Lutheran cathedral, the flowers, and most of all, those cute little babies!!
Post a Comment