University of Helsinki Library
Library Stacks, National Library of Finland
“Always design a thing by considering its next larger context – a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan.”
~Eliel Saarinen
Helsinki Railway Station, Eliel Saarinen
Window and Light, Saarinen
Statues, Helsinki Railway Station
The “Stone Church” was quarried out of the natural bedrock.
Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki
I tell you, it is easier to build a grand opera or a city center than to build a personal house.
~Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto Home and Studio
Geometric Dome, National Library of Finland
Contemporary Helsinki
Eliel Saarinen’s Lament, Helsinki Railway Station
Nice pics of the city I was studying for 5 years!!
Hi RB, Thank you! I loved our short time in Helsinki, especially the architecture. How great that you studied there. Did you study in that amazing library?
Hi Jane, thanks! Yes, I did. For many years I went to study for my exams there. Spacious, old, unique, tranquil….
I go back to Helsinki a couple of times per year but really have to re-visit the library next time. Your pics reminded me of old times… 😉
Have you been elsewhere in Finland?
No, unfortunately just Helsinki this trip.
Astonishing photos. Wise and brilliant quotes by the way
Thanks so much, Allround. Wonderful city for design and architecture. The brilliance of Finnish architects shines through.
I once lived in Helsinki and I just loved these photo’s. You brought back some good memories of the best time in my life, thank you for that!
Hi Chasing, How wonderful that you lived there. I’m happy these brought back some good memories. Thanks so much for your visit.
Lovely shots, Helsinki looks beautiful!!!
Thanks very much, LilBlue. It’s an interesting city.
Beautifully symmetrical image.
This was such an fascinating place. Thanks, Tim.
Stunning series of images Jane and a magnificent location. The colour and black & white works really well in all of them.
Thanks very much, Simon. I am happy you enjoyed this series. Fun to shoot.
Awesome! Helsinki has so much to offer, beautiful!
Yes, it’s a wonderful city. Thanks for enjoying this post, Inger.
Outstanding selection of pictures! Great captions Jane!
Thanks very much, Roberto. Your visits and comments are much appreciated. I have fun with the quotes and captions. 🙂
Gracias por mostrarnos tu arte! all pictures are splendid!!!! ❤
Hi Jacinto, Thank you! I love architecture and there was such a variety in Helsinki. Happy you enjoyed them.
A WONDERFUL theme and images!
I am happy you like these, Denise. I had fun with the varied styles- an interesting city. Thank you!
Look at those lines! So elegant.
Thank you, Atreyee. Learning about the local architecture is a great part of traveling, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed these.
Hello
Beautiful pictures of architecture.
Have a good week.
Hi Marko, I’m glad you like this series. Thanks very much.
These are elegant lines, Jane. I like best the black and white train station photo. Your eyes truly let us see its architectural beauty.😊
Hi Imelda, I love Saarinen’s designs and thought the light in the train station begged for black and white. Happy you like them, thank you.
You were right to show them in black and white. The lines stood out. 🙂
Thanks, Imelda. 🙂
Awesome work this week Jane – esp loved the first several architectural shots.
Thank you, T. I really love the modern buildings and the contrast with the classic old ones. Glad you enjoyed these.
Excellent. The photos and the buildings are so beautiful, Jane. I love the quotes too 🙂
Thanks so much, Sandra. Helsinki had many beautiful buildings old and new. Happy you enjoyed this one.
Great shots Jane, the architecture is wonderful!
Thanks, Karen. I do enjoy the contrasting architectural elements in old and new buildings. Glad you like these.
I was in Helsinki a few years ago and this post brought a lot of that back. Your images are really fantastic — I so enjoy looking at good architecture. I adored the stone church when I was there and you captured it very well!
I’m so glad you have been there, Sherry! Thanks so much.
Excellent.
Thanks so much, Rabirius.
Whoops. I meant I want to go there right now. What fabulous photos.
HI Jane- I got your drift– thank you! You would love the architecture and also the natural beauty for your paintbrush.
What a fascinating post. I want to gather right now!
We can go there and gather! 😄
You have totally whetted my appetite for traveling to Finland. Loved these buildings..and that church!
Hi Sharon, It was a great city to start a Nordic tour. If you’re traveling that far, it’s worth covering as much as possible. Happy you enjoyed this set– thank you!
Nice, and the stone Church should have a great sound in there…..
Hi Gilles, Thank you. The church is known for its terrific acoustics – wish I could have heard a concert there.
Jane, I love this series – love the lines and laughing at the Burger King sign. The buildings are beautiful.
Hi Fran, Great fun exploring the buildings and I’m happy, and not surprised, that we share the same humor. Thank you and hope all is well!
Love the effect of black and white on railway station. Wonderful photos and city!
Hi KJ- I was thrilled when I saw the light streaming in the windows– I knew the final image would be black and white. What a beautiful station! Thanks very much, friend.
GREAT shots….very interesting place…loving the church….and all of the detail!!
Hi April, A wonderful diversity of designs. Glad you liked these– thank you!
Fabulous photos of stylish Helsinki.
Thanks so much, Paula. It really is an interesting city and a great way to start our trip.
Awesome views and captures!
Thank you very much, Herbert!
Great shots Jane. I’m still trying to figure out that church photo
Hi Michael, Isn’t that church something? The architects are brothers who lived in a remote place and played primarily with rocks. Thus, their fascination with creating buildings out of stone. This place was dug out of the rock mountain. The ceiling is copper and metal and the room is circular. Great acoustics and it’s used for services. Fascinating. Glad it piqued your interest- thank you for enjoying.
Love the Saarinen image. The lights may seem small, but they certainly draw attention and shine themselves amidst the grandeur of architecture. So agree with the quote about personal homes. I am never usually satisfied with mine – too messy but it’s my fault 😂
Hi Mabel- The railway station was awesome. The light and details are incredible including the beautiful light fixtures. I loved seeing Aalto’s personal spaces– simple but innovative for the times. Thanks so much – happy you liked these shots.
What an eye for lines, angles, shapes, etc… You could have been an architect!
Thank you, Linda. Now that is definitely a fantasy profession! Glad you enjoyed these.
These are beautiful, Jane. I love the photo of the church ceiling. Gotta put Helsinki on my Bucket List—right after Berlin.
Ω
Hi Allan, What a fascinating city. Happy these images sparked your interest. Have never been to Berlin so that’s on my list, too. Thanks so much.
That first one is a different! I love why I see in architecture in the Nordic area!
Thanks, Laura. Even with spellcheck, I get your drift. 😊Much appreciated.
And then there’s Burger King. I’d be lamenting on that one as well. All super dooper shots Jane!
Hi Patti- You caught that! I thought it was sad… Glad you liked this series- thanks so much!
Nordic design has such nice lines. Great series, Jane.
Hi Eliza, Agree, I do love the clean lines in the modern buildings. Thanks very much.
I haven’t been there and now I’m inspired to go!
Hi M.L. – We added it and I’m glad we did. Interesting city. Glad these inspired you, thanks so much.
Very nicely done!
Thanks very much, PP!
Wonderful photos. Were you just there? I went in January of last year and found the city so interesting in many ways. I loved that church built into the stone.
Hi Lex, Yes, we just returned from a trip around the Nordic countries starting in Helsinki… then the major cities in Scandinavia ending in the Fjords.
Wonderful. That’s great that you’ve been there and these shots brought back some good memories. The stone church was incredible to see. Thank you!
What a great trip! I look forward to seeing more images from your journeys!
Great buildings – and the quote is really a special one – feel some life analogies about maybe life planning or purposeful living!
Hi Yvette- Agree! Architect’s quotes ring true to me, too. Happy you like these beautiful examples of design. Thanks so much.
😉
Some really amazing architecture and I love that gorgeous dome. I think Alvar Aalto was right. 😀
Thanks, Sylvia. So much beauty in many different styles. I agree with you and Alvar, too. I didn’t include the opera house and another notable building — that would have been funny considering how large they are. 😉
Beautifully shot photos!
Hi Belinda, Thank you! It helps to shoot what you love. 😉 Glad you like them.
Beautiful! Your pick of interesting sights was great. Nice work.
Hi Pam, Thanks! We had such fun learning about it all. The University of Helsinki Library is really phenomenal. Happy you like these.
Fantastic, beautiful photos! ❤️👍🏻
Thank you, John. The buildings are fascinating. Glad you enjoyed.