: Travel

Warm light of Helsinki

To Finland ride after exotic things. But main charm of this north earth – in ability to live warmly, comfortably and especial durably.

For the purpose "warmly" is not a joke. Dark time of year, howling of snow-storm and Baltic, under ice, certainly, is present. But weathers cost not such and cold, the column of thermometer rarely goes down below to minus seven. After a walk on a awake frost will breathe in the smell of coffee, ginger and cinnamon, will have a drink mulled wine and will understand: it is so necessary to winter. You are in a thick sweater with deer, among child's fuss and unhurried conversation of adults.

Helsinki – from where earth went…

Present Finnish the capital was founded in 1550 by king of Sweden Gustavus Vaza, named a city Gelsindorf and disposed the rivers of Vantanyoky in a mouth, to contest with Tallinn for trade on Baltic. A place for building was chosen not quite successfully, and in fifty years a city was carried. But also on the new place of business at Helsinki – Gelsindorf went neither shakily nor stably. Up to the middle of XVIII age a city was little, completely wooden and not nearly capital. The capital was in Turku.

For the present look and capital status of Helsinki must thank you… Saint Petersburg. Cutting through a window to Europe, Russian Empire disturbed Sweden in earnest. Building of marine fortress of Sveaborg began in most quiet sleepy Helsinki (present Soumelina). Building was conducted forty years, but, as the saying goes, "nothing this valerian helped". Four times a city was taken by the Russian troops. And in 1809 Russia and quite conquered Finland. From April, 12, 1812 Helsinki was become by the capital of Great principality Lithuanian, staying such to finding of independence in 1917.

Confluence of oppositions

Forming of new the capital went under influencing at once of two cultures – Russian and Swedish. In the heart of Helsinki a classicism dominates on the Senate area. A cathedral, State advice and main corps of University, creations of Charles Ludwig Engel, compel to reminisce Saint Petersburg. Orthodox Yspensky cathedral, built in 1868 an architect And. By an ermine, – largest in Europe. In a centre Helsinki it is possible to admire buildings of the most different styles – neo-Renascence, yugend-style, quite special Scandinavian classicism, rational functionalism and absolutely fantastic modern, and all together – very harmonious unit.

But at any influencing and stylistic fashions finns managed to remain by itself. With the love to the natural flowers and ability to save warmly even in reinforced concrete buildings, with unhurry and habit everywhere to lead after itself children. Involuntarily added the measured rhythm of local life, stop to hurry, begin to step and enjoy. Pedestrian walks on a centre Helsinki abandon feeling of surprising unity of oppositions. A clear urbanism is softened a closeness exterminating. A whimsical coastline makes 100 kilometres, and there are 300 (!) islands in the aquarium of city.

Congratulation from Santa-Claus

Light, smells and sounds of Christmas appear in Helsinki already in November: flashlights, spangles, bengal-lights and Christmas hymns. Santa-Claus transmigrates in the capital on two months. Calling at any postal separation of Helsinki, you can order for the child (or for the grown man, which remained a child) congratulation from Santa-Claus – a letter necessarily will come on a letterhead and with the personal seal of favourite of children of the whole world.

On the Senate area erect a church from snow. Music sounds in a park Esplanade, a new-year market is cheered. Here sell the wares of folk masters. The same sweaters with deer, "correct" mittens, any frost, bright woollen caps, reliably hiding from a frost ears and even cheeks, is not frightful in which. Beautifully, durably, naturally. Artificial fur? Leatherette? Only for toys! With the real frost such focuses do not pass. In a dark season a man must feel comfort, not to survive, but enjoy life!

Do you want the Finnish souvenir from Helsinki? Endeavour to find the Christmas tree decorations from… straws. Goodish asterisks and geometrical figures to this pore decorate the winter interiors of the Finnish kitchens. It is talked; they bring luck, especially if done a child. And fir-tree in a house a man brings traditionally. A man and children must set it so that to show the most beautiful branches.

Taste of holiday and Finland

The winter is a season of great number of delicacies. There are 840 (!) restaurants in Helsinki. Search Finnish. Try the baked puddings from Swede, carrot, potato, local sausages and smoked hams. Pates and salmon are good. And a herring is in raspberry syrup – for ears will not draw aside! Christmas mulled wine is offered everywhere. With a cinnamon, carnation, raisin, dried and almond. And for children – cakes, smelling a ginger, are sprinkled castor sugar and with the sweet name that, who a cake intends. And seeing a traditional cake cottage, begin bitterly to regret, that to bring this miracle over it is almost impossible home.