Baltic autumn. Part 3. Finland

13 February 2020 • Travel time: with 17 October 2019 on 17 October 2019

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It is simply impossible to stay in Tallinn for a few days - and not go to Helsinki alone. Especially given the lack of low-cost flights from Kiev to Helsinki and the cost of hotels in the Finnish capital. Currently, flights between the capitals of Estonia and Finland are currently operated by three ferry companies:

Tallink & Silja Line

Viking Line

and Eckero.

The lowest prices and the largest number of flights are in Tallinn, although from time to time shares in Eckero skipped. But not a very convenient schedule (one morning flight from Tallinn at 06:00) prevailing in the choice of Tallinn.

Tickets were bought for 2 months immediately RT (cost 60 euros for two) departure from Tallinn at 10:30, arrival in Helsinki at 12:30, departure from Helsinki at 19:30, return to Tallinn at 21:30.

So, after breakfast, we decided at the port terminal. Tallinn ferries are moored not in Terminal A (nearest), but in Terminal D (farthest and most modern). Go from the hotel for 15-20 minutes. There is no human factor at the entrance to the terminal - no controllers, to enter you must attach a boarding pass with QR-code (online registration begins 48 hours before departure) in printed or electronic form to the reader on the terminal screen. Then the turnstile will move apart, which will mean the possibility of passing further.

In the terminal, in addition to a large waiting room, there is also a considerable duty-free, the main range - Estonian chocolate "Kalev" (including the symbols of the ferry company), alcohol from around the world and a variety of toys and souvenirs. Prices are at the level of Tallinn supermarkets. But, of course, it is cheaper for the people of Finland (Finns are the main contingent of passengers on the Helsinki-Tallinn-Helsinki line).

Access to the ferry is approximately 45 minutes before departure. The flight was on a weekday, so there were plenty of free seats. Most are located in the stern bar. The ferry is also a duty free zone, so the duty free shop there is huge. These hours passed unnoticed by visiting boutiques and contemplating the storming Baltic Sea (photos through the portholes were blurred). The only thing I remember - it's small rocky islands (so-called.

"Sherry" almost in the waters of the port of Helsinki, which housed one house and several pines.

"Private" island 500-1000m from the capital - what could be more exotic!

As described on the relevant websites, just outside the Terminal, there is the final stop of the №7 tram, which goes to the city center. Tickets for public transport (1 trip 2.90 €, unlimited per day 8 €) can be purchased only in the machine, and payment only in coins or payment card (banknotes of no denomination are not accepted). The closest to the port of the district are modern residential and office quarters, multi-storey buildings made of dark brick. We leave at the fifth stop from the port - "Kamppi". Just near the stop - a huge shopping center of the same name, under which is the eponymous metro station and bus station. Brandy is mostly Scandinavian. Made some purchases.

Interesting detail: in the huge "Kamppi" there is no grocery store, but there are many cafes, including oriental cuisine. If you still need to visit the supermarket - it is on the opposite side of the street, but not very much, but the popular European network LiDL. The range and prices - as always, are pleasing. For the attention of fans of Finnish coffee "Paulig" - the cost of LiDL. Helsinki - 4.45 euros for 0.5 kg. For comparison, Kyiv - 135 UAH for 0.25 kg. Feel the difference. Immediately behind the mall is a very interesting building - "Chapel of Silence". Made in the form of a giant cocoon, decorated with wood. Its purpose is to allow people to be alone, to gather their thoughts, to find advice in difficult life situations.

There are no services, but there is an opportunity to talk to a priest or social worker.

Next, again on the tram №7 we go to the business card of the capital of Finland - the majestic Cathedral. Get off at the fourth stop - Senaantintori (Senate Square). On the square, on a small hill, there is a majestic and at the same time light Cathedral of unrealistically white color.

In stark contrast to the city's mostly dark buildings. The church belongs to the Lutheran denomination, so in the middle is very ascetic. Free admission. There are no icons in Lutheran churches, but there are essential statues of the founders of the religion, including Martin Luther. There is an essential organ. We descend to the Old Port. Autumn, cool, light rain. The well-known Helsinki Boulevard-Esplanada Park starts from the port.

Crowded, twilight. The famous Havis Amanda Fountain is no longer working. The fish market on the waterfront is also beginning to diverge.

And the quarter itself is ordinary on the one hand (just a sleeping area away from the center), but consists partly of traditional houses of the 1930s, and partly of modern, 2000s, decorated in antiquity.

It is difficult to find a difference, except for the dates of construction on the walls of the houses themselves. In a small area between residential buildings there is a small hill, on top of which "chaotically" a pile of stones. There are signs everywhere (in Finnish and English) that it is forbidden to climb the hill. As you may have guessed, "Tempelliaukion kirkko" is located in the middle of the hill.

It was surprising that the church has two entrances - the central and the service. Entrance fee - 3 €.

The church is completely round, with a glass ceiling with mosaic patterns (on which you can see the stones) and lots of soft chairs. It also belongs to the Lutheran denomination, but probably its more progressive branch, as in addition to the organ, the department has a grand piano, percussion and double bass. In principle, you can visit once.

Next, on the same tram №2 we return to the center, to K. Mannerheim Square. There were also plans to visit the monument to Jan Sibelius (a famous Finnish composer who also wrote works for the organ) and the monument itself, which is made in the form of organ trumpets, in which you can hear sounds similar to organ music during strong winds, but due to the long intervals of traffic, decided not to take risks. Many important buildings for the city and the country are located on both sides of K. Mannerheim Square.

Parliament of Finland:

Palace of Music "Finland":

Kiasma Theater:

National Library:

Unfortunately, light rain prevented us from taking better photos. In the remaining hour we visited the supermarket located on the 0th floor of one of the office centers in the square. Prices for basic goods are little different from prices in supermarkets in other Western European countries. And the price of the cafe in the Helsinki Port Terminal was frankly impressive: a cup of coffee for € 4.50 and a glass of beer for € 6.00 - this is rare in Europe. Although the general impression of the Finnish capital was not affected.

The city is unique, in some places harsh, cosmopolitan (we had to see people from the Middle East and Southern Europe), but at the same time has its own style, its own face, which tries to maintain, at least in the fact that modern architecture, even if one looks attractive and almost harmonious.

Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original