The thirteen domes
Christ and the apostles in gold above brick.
Óðinn — CC BY-SA 2.5 ca · Leonhard Lenz — CC0 · Leonhard Lenz — CC0 · Leonhard Lenz — CC0
The largest Orthodox church in Western Europe: Uspenski in red brick with thirteen golden domes has crowned the Katajanokka rock above the harbour since 1868 — built by the Russians in their time of rule in the style of medieval churches near Moscow, so that with the white cathedral opposite it forms Helsinki's pair: East and West facing each other above Market Square. The interior is fully Byzantine: a gilded iconostasis, painted saints, chandeliers, granite columns and incense — the candlelight on gold at its loveliest in dark winter days. The bricks came from the demolished Bomarsund fortress in the Åland islands. A short visit, reached from the harbour by a winding stair with views over Market Square and the ships; pair it with the white cathedral and the market in one walk.
Christ and the apostles in gold above brick.
Gold and candles in winter dark.
Kanavakatu 1, Helsinki
Market Square (Kauppatori)Helsinki's harbour, market and terminus in one place: Market Square on the south4 minutes walk4.5
Havis AmandaHavis Amanda is a bronze fountain at the edge of **Market Square** on Helsinki's6 minutes walk4.5
Helsinki CathedralFinland's first picture: a white cathedral with green domes crowning a vast flig6 minutes walk4.7
The University of HelsinkiThe main building of the University of Helsinki stands on the western side of **7 minutes walk4.5
Esplanadi ParkHelsinki's elegant street: Esplanadi is a long park between two avenues from 1819 minutes walk4.6The white one is plain Lutheran, by a German for the Tsar; this is gilded Russian Orthodox. They face each other above the harbour and are seen together in half an hour.