Helsinki

Helsinki was originally called Helsingfors when it was founded in 1550 by King Gustav I of Sweden, and it was meant to be a rival to nearby Tallinn. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is spread across a number of islands. Helsinki’s neoclassical architecture has earned it the epithet “the White City of the North.” However, it is also famous for its art nouveau buildings. The leading figure of Finnish art nouveau was Eliel Saarinen, whose masterpiece is Helsinki Central railway station. Owing to the northern latitude, midwinter days last fewer than six hours. Conversely, summer days extend for almost 19 hours at the solstice.