About this experience
This walk will take you to a place rarely visited by tourists, yet wrongly so - because it is here, among dense forests and tall thresholds, that Helsinki was founded in the 16th century. You will see the city through the eyes of Swedish kings and be transported back to their glorious era, witnessing ancient industrial buildings turned into art spaces and Finnish wooden houses. I will show you the very Helsinki that was supposed to, according to the prophecy of King Gustav Vasa, 'outshine the success of the arrogant Reval'.
What to Expect
In the Footsteps of Swedish Kings
Helsingfors, the starting point of Helsinki's history, still bears traces of royal presence: here you can vividly imagine what Finland was like in the 16th-18th centuries. You will admire breathtaking views from the mountain where the Swedish monarch Gustav Vasa decided to found Helsinki, and learn why the king chose this particular location. Then, you will examine a stele dedicated to another king, Gustavus Adolphus II, as I will tell you about this monarch's role in the formation of Finland.
Art Quarters and Northern Landscapes
In addition to historical landmarks in Helsingfors, there are many monuments of Finnish industrial architecture, art spaces, and secluded corners. We will stroll along the waterfront, discussing the peculiarities of the local nature and enjoying the views of the Gulf of Finland. Crossing the
