Helsinki history

Affectionately known as the 'Daughter of the Baltic', Helsinki sprawls across a low-lying peninsula, sheltered by an archipelago of 315 islands. Founded by Swedish invaders in 1550, the city is young by European standards, but its power and influence grew dramatically when Russia invaded in 1809.

As if making up for lost time, the Finns wasted no time in reinventing their capital after Finland declared its independence in 1917. The new republic boomed throughout the 1920s and 30s, and became a hotbed of creative activity, as designers like Alvar Aalto gave birth to some of the defining design movements of the 20th century.

Helsinki stepped onto the world stage when the Olympic Stadium was completed in 1938, although the games were postponed due to the war and were finally held there in 1952. It still holds the record as the smallest city in the world to host the Olympic Games.

Finland became a member of the European Union in 1995, securing Helsinki's ties with Europe. The city's distinctive 'East meets West' culture is symbolised in the contrast between the cool, clean lines of Finlandia Hall and the rich golden 'onion' dome of Uspenski Cathedral.