It started out a bit wet so we took a tram out to Temppeliaukio Church, which is carved into a rock in a small hill in a suburb just outside the city centre.  It’s quite lovely – very simple inside, a little like early round Christian churches or being inside a theatre.  The walls are rough rock and the ceiling is a huge copper disc which sort of hovers above you.  Apparently it’s used for concerts as the ascoustics are amazing.

By the time we took the tram back to town for lunch the weather had improved and by the time we went to the Design Museum after lunch it was bright and sunny – just in time for the various Helsinki Day events planned for the afternoon and evening.

It’s not a public holiday, but lots of places normally closed to the public had open days, some museums were free, and there was a concert in one of the big parks.  It was obviously very popular and drew people into the city, and combined with the sunny afternoon it gave the city a happy feel.

The Design Museum was free and busy as a consequence.  It focuses a lot on Finland’s glass industry, particularly Iittala and it’s most well-known designer Timo Sarpaneva – lots of the items on display were very familiar from my 70’s childhood!

So, here’s Temppeliaukio and a few of my favourite things in the Design Museum: