WATCH PART 1/2

Katajanokka is a district on the eastern shore of downtown Helsinki. The Katajanokka channel separates it from the mainland, to which it is connected by four bridges. In recent years this area has blossomed into a restaurant hotspot. In the summertime, the terraces on the shoreline form a picturesque summer oasis by the sea.

In the early part of the 19th century, several military barracks were built, followed by harbour buildings and a prison. The art nouveau stone buildings constructed in the early 20th century are well-preserved and form an architectural area that is uniquely uniform even by European comparison. These days, Katajanokka’s population is around 4,000.

Other sights include the Finnish icebreakers with their mythical, powerful names such as Kontio (‘Bear’), Otso (another old word for ‘Bear’), Voima (‘Strength’), Urho (‘Braveness’), and Sisu (‘Grit’), all moored side by side for their summer nap.