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Buildings & Monuments
Finland's cities are an architectural joy to explore, packed as they are with buildings designed by such international luminaries are Carl Ludwig Engel, Alvar Aalto, Eliel & Eero Saarinen, and many others. In addition, there are 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Finland, each one with its own unique charm and history.
Hommanäs Gård
Hommanäs Gård is located by the sea in the south of Porvoo on the island Vessö. The island is well known for its nice potato crops, sand and lovely nature. The mansion is build in the 18th century and is filled with history and...
Turku Cathedral
Turku Cathedral, located on Unikankare Hill, is a national shrine. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Finland's first bishop, St. Henrik and was inaugurated in 1300.
The monuments and hundreds of details tell...
Michael's Church Turku
The western skyline of the city of Turku is dominated by Michael's Church which was consecrated in 1905. It was designed by Professor Lars Sonck. When he won the competition for the church in 1894, Sonck was only a 23-year old architectural...
Olavinlinna Castle
The building of Olavinlinna, castle of St. Olaf, began in 1475. The Danish-born founder of the castle, knight Erik Axelsson Tott, decided that a powerful fortification should be build to protect the strategically important Savo region. The castle was...
Architecture »
Spanning a period of over 800 years, Finnish architecture has a notable history and has contributed to several styles internationally, especially through the works of Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto. Most of Finland's great achievements in architecture relate to modern architecture, most following the reconstruction after World War II primarily because the current building stock comprises less than 13% that predates 1920.
Castles »
Due to its geographical position separating Sweden from Russia, Finland has been the scene of numerous battles in the many wars between those ancient powers. As a result of this, many castles and fortresses were built in Finland from the 13th century onwards. Today, there are three significant castles which have been largely restored; Turku, Häme, and Olavinlinna. There are also four impressive fortresses which have been restored, these are in Hamina, Lappeenranta, Kärnäkoski Fortress in Savitaipale, and the island fortress of Suomenlinna in the archipelago next to Helsinki.
Cathedrals »
There are a dozen cathedrals in Finland, most of which are located in the southern part of the country. Like its castles, Finland's cathedrals are among the country's most notable edifices, and attract visitors from all over the world every year.
Churches »
Christianity came to Finland in the 12th century, introduced by Bishop Henry who died a martyr's death around 1150. Today, Finland has a multitude of churches, mostly Lutheran, but also Orthodox and a few Catholic, in a diverse range of styles including medieval, gothic, neo-gothic, byzantine, neo-byzantine, classical, and romantic.
Manors »
Finland is dotted with Manor Houses, the vast majority of which are to be found in the southern part of the country, especially in areas which continue to be mostly Swedish speaking, although the region around Porvoo is particularly abundant with them. Many of these manors now operate as tourist attractions, or have developed into museums, with others available to visit by prior arrangement.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites »
There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland, six of which are Cultural Heritage Sites, the other being the Natural Heritage Site of the Kvarken Archipelago.