Photos

Helsinki covers numerous islands, peninsula and bays. The city center is on the southern part of Finland, and the rest extends to the small islands across the sea. Some of these are the island of Suomenlinna, an inhabited sea fortress; The military island of Santahamina; The island of Korkeasaari is Finland's biggest Zoo, can be reached via a bridge from the mainland; As well as the islands of Seurasaari and Lauttasaari.

Seurasaari Island

Seurasaari Island, situated only a quarter of an hour's drive from the centre of Helsinki, is a museum area and popular outdoor recreation. The Island provides nice setting for outdoor recreation, sun worshippers and walkers. Having crossed the white wooden bridge a visitor can't help running into the happy little squirrels of the island.
The island has been a favourite recreational destination for Helsinki residents since the 1880s, when townspeople arrived by boat to enjoy picnics with their families. In addition to the museum and swimming beach, the island houses a restaurant that was renovated in 2007.

The white wooden bridge

The white wooden bridge leading to Seurasaari was originally built in 1891-1892 from woods fallen during the autumn storms. The bridge was renewed in the beginning of the 1970's. This was done strictly by the original drawings, only they made it slightly wider since it was discovered that there remained only one fire truck able to drive through the then-very narrow bridge.

The Open-Air Museum

The open-air museum of Seurasaari is located on a beautiful green island just a few kilometres from the heart of Helsinki. The island is a tranquil oasis in the midst of the city and at the museum the traditional Finnish way of life is displayed in the cottages, farmsteads and manors of the past four centuries that have been relocated from all around Finland. Seurasaari Open-Air Museum was founded in 1909. All the different provinces of Finland are represented in the well preserved old buildings and they give an overall view of Finnish countryside life from the 18th to the 20th century. At present, there are 87 separate buildings at Seurasaari Museum. (Source:visithelsinki.fi & seurasaarisaatio.fi)