Explore Helsinki's famous Suurkirkko, also called Helsinki Cathedral, a neoclassical masterpiece of western and Russian styles designed by one of Finland's greatest architects, Carl Ludvig Engel. Survey the Senate Square below you from this magnificent building, originally called St. Nicholas' Church upon its completion in 1852 to honor Nicholas I, Czar of Russia, but renamed when Finland gained its independence in 1917. Discover why more than 350,000 people visit this church each year, with its distinctive green dome and colonnades and pediments radiating out in each direction. Pay a visit to each of the twelve apostles, erected in larger than life zinc statues along the roof by Engel's successor, Ernst Lohrmann.

Whether your interests lie in music, history, architecture or religion, the Temppeliaukio church offers you a unique opportunity to view a monument unlike any other in the world. The commencement of World War II in 1939 prolonged the development of the structure, which resumed in 1961 with an entirely new concept after the brothers and fellow architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen won the second competition held for the design of this Lutheran church. Built directly into a natural rock formation that is flooded with light through a glazed dome, the church often doubles as a concert hall because the exposed rock walls provide excellent acoustic qualities.