Helsinki - City Sights

Suomenlinna Island

The Suomenlinna Islands is made up of eight islands, including the Suomenlinna sea fortress. The construction of the Suomenlinna sea fortress began in 1748 by the then Swedish crown as protection against Russian expansionism. The Suomenlinna sea fortress is not only a museum, but a living community too! In the past, visitors would go through background checks to be deemed as honorable before entering the fortress! Suomenlinna was added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1991. It is now a place to explore history or to enjoy a relaxing stroll. 

After Suomenlinna transferred to civilian control, what military branch remained?
Naval Academy

Along with Suomenlinna Church, Konstantin Thon designed what Moscow church?
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Augustin Ehrensvärd designed Suomenlinna fortress from 1747 till when?
1772

Augustin Ehrensvärd was one of the first members of which group?
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Before being used as a banquet hall, what was the Tenalji von Fersen?
A granary

How heavy is the bell in Suomenlinna Church?
6,683 kilograms

On average, how long is a ferry from Helsinki to Suomenlinna?
15 minutes

The island Kuninkaanportti honors what king?
Adolf Frederick

The Swedish built Suomenlinna fortress to defend against whom?
Russia

What American author wrote a short story about Suomenlinna?
George R.R. Martin

What former submarine is now on Suomenlinna?
Vesikko

What military engineer strongly influenced Suomenlinna’s design?
Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban

What was Suomenlinna called pre-1918?
Viapori

What’s housed at the Lelomuseo Suomenlinna Helsinki?
Old toys

Who damaged Suomenlinna during the Crimean War?
British and French troops

Who designed Augustin Ehrensvärd’s grave on Suomenlinna?
King Gustav III

Tuomiokirkko Helsinki Cathedral

Welcome to one of Helsinki’s grand landmarks. The Tuomiokirkko Helsinki Cathedral is in a neoclassical style, with its tall green dome surrounded by four smaller ones. The Cathedral is modeled after two cathedrals in St. Petersburg in Russia. This is seen through the four smaller domes. The cathedral was also featured in a music video by the Finnish DJ, Darude! 

After Carl Engel died in 1840, who completed Helsinki Tuomiokirkko?
Ernst Lohrmann

Carl Engel also helped re-design which Finnish city?
Turku

Carl Engel didn’t build which Helsinki building?
Helsinki Central Station

Helsinki’s Tuomiokirkko was influenced by which St. Petersburg church?
Saint Isaac’s Cathedral

In total, Tuomiokirkko has how many domes?
Five

Officially, what’s the architectural style of Helsinki’s Tuomiokirkko?
Neoclassical

Russia helped fund Tuomiokirkko Cathedral with a tax on what?
Salt

The DJ Darude Filmed what video by Tuomiokirkko?
Sandstorm

Tuomiokirkko Cathedral was built over a church for which Swedish ruler?
Ulrika Eleonora

Tuomiokirkko is in what central square?
Senate Square

What denomination does Tuomiokirkko serve?
Lutheran

What Russian artist painted Tuomiokirkko’s altar?
Carl Timoleon van Neff

What’s the unofficial nickname for Helsinki’s Tuomiokirkko?
The White Jewel of Helsinki

Where was Tuomiokirkko Cathedral’s architect Carl Engel born?
Prussia

National Museum of Finland

The National Museum of Finland is a building in a Finnish National Romantic style, situated at the centre of Helsinki. Its interior though, is of an art nouveau style! The building exhibits Finnish history from the Stone (age) right up to the present day! The permanent exhibitions include Finnish prehistory, and the development of Finnish society from the 12th century to the 20th century. They also include Finnish folk culture in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum also included one of the most extensive collections of artifacts from the indigenous people of the Americas, outside the American continents. A portion was returned to representatives of the indigenous peoples of the United States of America in 2019, with some agreed to be kept and exhibited. 

Eliel Saarine’s son Eero designed what iconic American structure?
The Gateway Arch

Eliel Saarine’s student Edmund Bacon helped re-design what city?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Finland’s National Museum has artifacts from which Native American tribe?
Pueblo

In 2018, Finland’s National Museum used VR to transport guests into what?
An R.W. Ekman painting

In addition to the National Museum, Eliel Saarinen designed what landmark?
Helsinki Central Station

The bullet hole in the National Museum’s front door is from what conflict?
1918 Civil War

The Finland National Museum’s architecture reflects what style?
Finnish Romanticism

The National Museum is behind what monumental building?
Finlandia Hall

The National Museum’s Kalevala ceiling frescoes debuted at what event?
1900 Paris World Fair

What animal statue is in front of the National Museum of Finland?
Bear

What famous explorer brought Native American artifacts to Finland?
Gustaf Nordenskiöld

What is the Huittisten hirvenpää in Finland’s National Museum?
A prehistoric stone carving of a moose’s head

What is the nearby Villa Hakasalmi?
The 19th-century residence of a senator

What’s does the inscription mean on the 10th century Suontaka sword?
“In the Name of God”

What’s the Finland National Museum called in Finnish?
Kansallismuseo

When did the Finland National Museum open?
1916

Who oversees the National Museum of Finland?
The Ministry of Education and Culture

Who painted the National Museum’s mythic ceiling frescoes?
Akseli Gallén-Kallela