• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Finland

Finnish Architecture - Senate Square in Helsinki
Senate Square in Helsinki

Most of Finland's architecture was made of wood so few of their historic buildings are still standing today. Due to this there are also few old stone buildings in the country, however one place that has both of these is the city of Rauma. The Holy Cross Church from the 1400s is one of the country's oldest still standing stone buildings, while much of the rest of the town is in wood, although much of it was rebuilt in the 1600s. A great example of original wooden architecture is the Petajavesi Old Church, which was built in the 1700s and is in the Gothic and Renaissance styles.

It wasn't until the 1800s when much of Finland, and in particular, modern day Helsinki was built. At the time neo-Classicism was well accepted in the capital and today much of the city remains in this style. The city's most well-known landmarks are all in this style, including the Lutheran Cathedral and the rest of Senate Square.

Since the 1900s Finland has flourished, particularly due to gaining independence. This has helped bring more architecture to Finland as the country has been active in many modern architectural movements. Some of these movements have been international, such as the country's construction of a few Art Nouveau buildings, but many of these movements are narrower and have reflected on their traditional roots as wooden structures, or wooden designs within a modern building have become a staple of Finnish architecture today.

This page was last updated: March, 2013