City Center Walk

City Center Walk

Katajanokka is separated from the mainland by a canal and begins just east of Kauppatori. A charming residential quarter as well as a cargo- and passenger-ship port, this area also has one of the city's main landmarks, the dazzling Orthodox Uspenskin Katedraali, one of the biggest cathedrals in Europe. Not far from Katajanokka is the elegant Lutheran Cathedral that dominates Senaatintori. The Ateneumin Taidemuseo is also nearby.

The first sight on Katajanokka is the onion-dome Uspenskin Katedraali on Kanavakatu. From the cathedral, walk down Kanavakatu, turn left on Ankkurikatu, and then right on Laukkasaarenkatu, where a sign will point out the Wanha Satama, a cleverly converted complex of brick warehouses now sheltering an exhibition center and restaurants. From there, head back southwest a short distance to the seafront and cross one of the two short bridges back over to Kauppatori.

From Kauppatori, walk along Sofiankatu (the Street Museum) and step through various periods of the city's history. The Kaupunginmuseo (Helsinki City Museum) is on the same street and has exhibits tracing Helsinki's growth from a rural village into the nation's capital. Nearby is Senaatintori. The north side of the square is dominated by the Tuomiokirkko; the Valtionneuvosto, or Council of State; and the main building of Helsingin Yliopisto, or Helsinki University, flank the east and west sides, respectively. The main university library is just north of the main building on Unioninkatu. At the south end of the square, old merchants' homes are currently occupied by stores, restaurants, and the Kiseleff Bazaar Hall.

Walk one block west to Fabianinkatu; just south is Pörssitalo, on the west side of the street. Head back north on Fabianinkatu 1 1/2 blocks; then turn left on Yliopistonkatu. You'll run into the side of the Ateneumin Taidemuseo, one of the Finnish National Gallery museums; to enter the museum, turn right on Mikonkatu and then immediately left on Kaivokatu. Just west on Kaivokatu is the Rautatieasema, and on the north side of Rautatientori (Railway Square) is the Suomen Kansallisteatteri, which stages Finnish theater. Walk west around the train station and up Postikatu; just past the main post office you'll see the Nykytaiteenmuseo on your right, a controversial backdrop to the Mannerheimin Patsas, standing sentinel over Mannherheimintie.

Timing

Allow 45 minutes to an hour to walk this route. Be sure to check the opening hours of both cathedrals before you leave; both close on religious holidays, and the Uspenskin Katedraali is always closed Monday, and also Saturday off-season. The Pörssitalo closes weekends and the Ateneumin Taidemuseo closes Monday; plan accordingly.