Helsinki Finland Ultimate World Cruise Renee Shull Shulls Set Sail

Hello this is Renee and Tom and I are on the Ultimate World Cruise and we just docked in Helsinki Finland. Once we docked and were cleared to leave the ship we took a shuttle bus which was 15 minutes into town. We're gonna walk six miles and visit historical cathedrals, bustling markets and a rock church. In 1550 Helsinki was founded by King Gustav I of Sweden as a trading town. In 1640 Helsinki was moved to its current location. Unfortunately in 1710 a plague decimated the population severely impacting its development. Between 1808 and 1809 during the Finnish war Russia conquered Finland from Sweden and Helsinki suffered damage from the war but soon experienced significant changes under Russian rule. We passed the old market hall to get to market square. On the eastern end of the Baltic Sea there are many vendors that congregate to sell souvenirs, fresh fish and seafood. The square is the site of the famous annual herring market in October. In 1917 Finland declared independence from Russia on December 6 with Helsinki as its capital. This period was marked by political turbulence including the Finnish civil war of 1918 during which Helsinki was briefly controlled by the Red Guards before being captured by the White Army. Our next stop is the Ouspensky Cathedral. The cathedral was built between 1862 and 1868 during the time when Finland was part of the Russian Empire. The project was funded by donations from both the Russian government and private individuals. The cathedral is crowned with 13 green and gold domes representing Christ and the 12 apostles. We get to see some breathtaking views of the city. We had to wait a few minutes before they opened the doors but it was well worth the wait. We thought we would be able to tour more of the city. During World War II it endured several bombings by the Soviet forces during the Winter War of 1939 to 1940 and the Continuation War of 1941 to 1944. It is a city square surrounded by beautiful neoclassic buildings. The square and its buildings are the oldest part of Helsinki. The structures on the square include the cathedral, the main building of the University of Helsinki, the government palace, and cedar home house dating back to 1757. The square is built on the site of the 17th and 18th century graveyard. In 1894 the statue of Emperor Alex II was carved. We're going to head on up to the Helsinki Cathedral. This impressive building serves as the main Lutheran cathedral for the Diocese of Helsinki. Its rich history dates back to the 19th century. Initially built between 1830 and 1852, the cathedral was dedicated to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I. It was also known as Saint Nicholas Church until Finland gained independence in 1917. We make it up to the top of the steps only to find out it's closed today. We continue to walk through the city streets. The 1952 Summer Olympics were hosted by Helsinki marked a major milestone in the city's post-war recovery and international re-emergence. In 1995, Finland joined the European Union and Helsinki as the capital played an important role in the integration of the country into European structures. The area around Railway Square began to develop in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Central Railroad Station has over 200,000 passengers that pass through this place every day. We then came across a unique restaurant, Dining in the Sky. We make our way to the Parliament House. Construction began in 1926 and was constructed using Finnish granite. On March 7, 1931, it was inaugurated. Right across the street was the Public Library. Next stop, the Finnish Museum of Natural History. It is dedicated to the study and display of natural history and is part of the University of Helsinki. It was officially established in 1913. From here, we walk to the Rock Church. We got there 15 minutes before they closed for the day. Church is carved directly into solid rock. Construction began in 1968 and the church opened on September 28, 1969. On our way back to the ship, we passed Hotel Astoria. This used to be a former palace. We hop on the shuttle, take the 15-minute ride back, four ports. Hey everyone, I'm thrilled to announce that my very first children's book is now published. Join Alphanet or Al, our adventurous elephant, as he sets sails on an exciting journey across the seas. Can't wait for you all to meet Al and join him on his nautical adventures and thank you all for your support. And I hope you and your little ones enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'll leave a link in the description below. Happy reading! Make sure to like, subscribe, and ring that bell for more adventures from every corner of the globe. See you at the next port!