Last of Helsinki

Just time for some last minute sightseeing, mopping up a few bits of the city I wanted to see. First, Katajanokka, an island which you reach by the shortest of bridges by the main harbour. Its top feature is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, the Upensky Cathedral. The last time I was here there was a service on, and it was much more atmospheric, with chanting and clouds of incense (but very little in the way of congregation, although what there was seemed to be in a constant motion of genuflection, then standing, then down again). This time was earlyish in the morning and very much tourists only.

The cathedral sits on a granite outcrop and its terrace offers fine views of its Lutheran rival across the city.

The island has streets of fine art nouveau apartments (which don't really photograph well as you can't get a vantage point.)

The ice-breakers sitting behind the island remind one that its not all warm sunny days up here.

At the far end is the fine classical block of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, originally naval barracks.

The harbour area has its fair share of stylish and no doubt eye-wateringly expensive boats.

Back in Senate Square in front of Helsinki Cathedral

I popped in on the University Library. Another classical building and apparently  Carl Ludwig Engel's masterpiece. Reckoned to be one of the most beautiful library buildings in the world. Wouldn't argue with that.

Finally I retraced my steps of the previous week and headed back to the Olympic stadium. Now it was quiet it seemed the perfect time to go up the tower that sits alongside the stadium. Unsurprisingly, it offers the best views of the city and indeed the whole area.

It also allowed me to go trackside.

 And to visit the sports museum. Would be a nice legacy of the 2012 games if we could end up with a museum like this, just with a few old bits of sports memorabilia, some videos and tons of photos of British sporting success. If the Finns can do it out of their smattering of successful athletes and ski-ers, think what we could muster.