Top highlights of Helsinki architecture

Kamppi Chapel is located in a corner of the Narinkkatori square in Helsinki, at the entrance of the Kamppi shopping center. The Chapel offers an opportunity to calm down in the middle of perhaps the busiest area in Finland. The curved shape of the small-scale Chapel building allows the space and views to flow in the urban surroundings. At the same time, the soft shape of the inside of the Chapel embraces the visitor in its safety. Exhibitions are being displayed at the entrance area. Short prayers are offered in the chapel but there is no church service on Sundays. Concerts are occasionally arranged in the chapel. The chapel, from 2012, was designed by architects Mikko Summanen, Niko Sirola and Kimmo Lintula from the Helsinki-based practice K2S Architects.

The Kaisa House functions as the Main Library of Helsinki University. The house has gathered several architectural awards and is a stunning example of modern library architecture. It has an curvilinear brick facade. Architects AOA (2012). There's also a café in the building, WELL Cafe Kaisa-talo.

The Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Engel, rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights. The church is part of Helsinki's Empire era centre and a landmark for those arriving by sea. It has become the symbol of the whole of Helsinki. Earlier called St. Nicholas Church and Great Cathedral, the current main church of the Helsinki Diocese was completed in 1852. Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard the city from the roof of the church. Exhibitions at the Crypt (Kirkkokatu 18), in summer also a souvenir shop Cathedral Shop.

Designed by Eliel Saarinen, the Central Railway Station is a national pride and is considered one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world.

Completed in 1868 in the Katajanokka district of Helsinki, the Uspenski Cathedral is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. With its golden cupolas and redbrick facade, the church is one of the clearest symbols of the Russian impact on Finnish history.

Suomenlinna sea fortress is a Unesco World Heritage Site located on the coast of Helsinki, and also a suburb of Helsinki with around 800 residents.

Kiasma is a museum of contemporary art in the centre of Helsinki. It is a place where people meet art and where everyone is welcome.

Lasipalatsi ("Glass Palace") is a functionalistic building from 1938 designed by at the time architecture students Viljo Revell, Niilo Kokko and Heimo Riihimäki. Originally it was built only to be a temporary building but became an attraction of its time by representing functionalistic architecture as its best with its restaurant and café, cinema with lobby, wintergarden, shops, big glass surfaces etc. As years passed in 1998 it was decided to renovate the building to its 1930's lustre. In autumn 2013 Föreningen Konstsamfundet association suggested that a new art museum should be built in Lasipalatsi and beneath the Lasipalatsi square. The building of the museum and a renovation of the Lasipalatsi building began in the beginnig of year 2016. Opened in autumn 2018 Amos Rex is now a meeting place for art and urban culture, consisting of new underground exhibition spaces, the old Lasipalatsi from 1936 and its cinema Bio Rex, as well as a vibrant event forum on Lasipalatsi Square, which serves as the roof of the exhibition hall. In the building you'll also find eg. restaurant Lasipalatsi and Café Lasipalatsi.

The Helsinki Olympic Stadion, built in 1938, was designed in functionalistic style by the architects Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti.

The National Museum of Finland illustrates Finnish history from prehistoric times to the 19th century.

Finlandia Hall is a unique centre for domestic and international conferences, concerts and other events.

Aino and Alvar Aalto designed for themselves a cosy, intimate building (compelted in 1936) for living and working in, using simple uncluttered materials.

Alvar Aalto designed the building at Tiilimäki 20 in Munkkiniemi as his own office in 1955.

The main building of the National Pensions Institute (1956) was designed by architect Alvar Aalto, and is considered one out of five of his best works. Today it is a work environment for approx.500 persons but at the same time a highly valued architectural attraction. The building can be visited on a guided tour on Mondays at 14.00 (pre-booking necessary, [email protected]).

The classically stylish and architecturally distinctive Helsinki Hall of Culture, designed by renowned architect Alvar Aalto, opened in 1958. The year-round programme of events includes galas, pop and rock concerts by world-class acts, classical concerts, concerts by top Finnish bands and singers, and stand-up comedy shows. It is possible to visit the building on a guided tour. Guided tours are organized upon request in collaboration with the Alvar Aalto Foundation, for more information please contact [email protected]. It is also possbile to visit the House of Culture during events. There's also a lunch restaurant, Sture4.

Restaurant Savoy has been at the very top of Helsinki's restaurant scene since the 1930's. Field marshal Mannerheim (or "Marski") was among the most well-known regulars, and his favorite dishes can still be found on the menu, eg. the vorschmack and filled-to-the-rim favorite shot. The Savoy interior was designed by architects Aino and Alvar Aalto who brought their human-centered and functional touch to every detail in the restaurant. Opening in June 1937, the interior was rich in various species of wood and lush planting, and the use of fabrics was vivid. The atmospheric dining hall was framed by terraces on three sides. The interior showed the Aaltos' preference for welcoming and comfortable furniture and their sensitivity towards high-quality natural materials. In 2019-2020, the restaurant was re-designed by Ilse Crawford and Studioilse and renovated in co-operation with Artek, Helsinki City Museum and the Alvar Aalto Foundation.

The Rautatalo office building, planned by Alvar Aalto, was completed in Helsinki city centre in 1955. The building was named Rautatalo ("Iron House") after the federation of Finnish hardware dealers that commissioned it. The main space is a light court, or marble courtyard, that extends from the first floor upwards. The courtyard serves today as a lunch restaurant open to public.

The Museum of Finnish Architecture offers rich new perspectives, discussion openers and meaningful experiences of architecture.