Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mausoleum-like interior has little ornamentation under the lofty dome apart from an altar
painting and three stern statues of Reformation heroes Luther, Melanchthon and Mikael
Agricola, looking like they've just marked your theology exam and taken a dim view of
your prospects.
Uspenskin Katedraali
CHURCH
9.30am-4pm Tue-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, noon-3pm Sun)
Facing the Lutheran cathedral, the eye-catching red-brick Uspenski Cathedral stands on
nearby Katajanokka island. The two buildings face off high above the city like two queens
on a theological chessboard. Built as a Russian Orthodox church in 1868, it features clas-
sic onion-topped domes and now serves the Finnish Orthodox congregation. The high,
square interior has a lavish iconostasis with the Evangelists flanking panels depicting the
Last Supper and the Ascension.
Orthodox services held at 6pm on Saturday and 10am Sunday are worth attending for
the fabulous chorals and candlelit atmosphere.
Ateneum
GALLERY
9am-8pm Wed & Thu, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun)
The top floor of Finland's premier art gallery is an ideal crash course in the nation's art. It
houses Finnish paintings and sculptures from the 'golden age' of the late 19th century
through to the 1950s, including works by Albert Edelfelt, Hugo Simberg, Helene Schjerf-
beck, the Von Wright brothers and Pekka Halonen. Pride of place goes to the prolific Ak-
seli Gallen-Kallela's triptych from the
Kalevala
depicting Väinämöinen's pursuit of the
maiden Aino. There's also a small but interesting collection of 19th- and early-20th-cen-
tury foreign art.
Downstairs is a cafe, good bookshop and reading room. The building itself dates from
1887.
Kiasma
GALLERY
