I decided to depend on Google Maps again because I can't make heads or tails of the public transportation system here. I have no idea what was going on with my brain this morning because I accidentally chose walking directions rather than public transportation. By the time I figured this out, I was almost there (it wasn't that far, apparently).
This is your first view of the cathedral as you approach it. Perched on the top of a hill overlooking the harbor, it dominates the local landscape. I took a deep breath and started to climb...
This is the side entrance that faces the parking lot. There is a lovely icon looking out over the door that is hard to see
The super shiny golden onion domes. Seriously, someone has to go up there and polish them periodically.
I made it to the door only to see a sign telling us the Cathedral was closed for tours through the 20th due to the Holidays. Looks like I'm coming back. Not gonna miss my first Orthodox Cathedral.
And the first sign of spring seen on the way down. I decided to wander around the waterfront area to see if there was anything interesting going on.
I stumbled upon this, the local Bridge of Love, or Rakkauden Silta, that crossed a narrow part of the Vantaa River in front of the cathedral.
Many European cities have similar traditions, but in Helsinki it is legal and celebrated (many cities worry about damage to the bridge and remove the lock). I remember in Capri there was a section of the wire netting that prevents rock slides coming down into the town of Capri, where lovers did a similar thing. Apparently, a lock is carefully chosen, often professionally engraved, locked into place and the key thrown into the water. This insures the love will last as long as the lock is locked onto the bridge.
I ended up walking to the other side of the harbor to capture this lovely view.
The streets here are just gorgeous!
I headed back down the hill to the trolley stop. I already knew how to get to my next destination thanks to the trolley tour on Monday...so off I went and got off at the right stop.
I came up on it from behind. This was my first view of Temppeliaukuio, or "Church of the Rock."
I had to walk about 1/3 of the way around it to the entrance, which, honestly, is not very impressive. Although, you can see the copper dome a little bit better from this angle. Trust me, the coolness is all in the inside here.
This was my first view as I walked in. This church was literally created by blowing up a big hole in the middle of a granite hilltop. It is actually about 1/4 the size of the original plans. Can you imagine?
The altar is an ice age crevice.
I thought that this baptismal font was an interesting piece of artwork.
And the interior of the copper dome. Man that thing is impressive...not to mention darned pretty. I just stared at it for awhile.
Another shot, just because.
Copper was also on other surfaces of the interior. This is on the front of the balcony. I just loved how the sunlight from the skylight reflected off of it.
I also climbed into the balcony and took a few photos from there. I also just sat and soaked up the atmosphere. They had soft acoustic music playing, which was nice...not to mention that it highlighted the great acoustics of the building itself. It's famous for being a great concert venue.
I learned about this church in a novel I read a year or so ago. Honestly, from the description in the book, I thought it would be bigger. Still, I was not disappointed, because it was really cool.
I found the first actual souvenir shops across the street from this church. Helsinki is curiously devoid of tacky stores containing snow globes and mugs. I did buy a few things...got awfully close to buying a lovely wool sweater with a reindeer pattern...but that would be horribly inappropriate for Texas.
I hopped back on the tram and got off at the closest stop to my apartment. This happened to be at the Forum Mall. I will say no more.
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