Sibelius Monument, Helsinki , Finland

The Sibelius monument was designed by Eila Hiltunen and completed in 1967. It consists of series of more than 600 hollow steel pipes welded together in a wave-like pattern. The purpose of the artist was to capture the essence of the music of Sibelius. The monument weighs 24 tonnes. It’s probably the most well-known abstract sculpture in Finland and popular tourist attraction.

lunadia said 15 months ago

The sculpture reminds me of, aside from the obvious organ pipes, massive icicles in a cold land, the passion and grandeur of the opening notes of the Finlandia Hymn, the steel of her inhabitants coming together for one purpose, and by the way, my favorite hymn because it was the only one I could play well on my harmonica (or mouth ORGAN. ?)

User Reviews

Vishal Kumar Singh (4 years ago)
Sibelius, said to be a musician of the same name as Beethoven, designed the monument to the organ with great interest. Finland is a land of imagination!

Carlos Moreno (4 years ago)
Weird but awesome Monument close to Helsinki heart. Park is full of nature and beautiful landscape. Must see it

e (4 years ago)
Worth planning a visit to this public park which is centred around this famous monument. It's easily accessible albeit sometimes crowded, however depending on the day, you might be able to see it with less people around. Definitely a photogenic landmark as well

Sandra Garrido (4 years ago)
The Sibelius monument is at a Public garden. It’s a nice place that you can go quickly or stay to relax. Sometimes is crowded.... you just have to wait until everybody goes so that you can see it calmly..!

TK Crowe (4 years ago)
Definitely worth checking out. The park and area near by are very nice. There were vendors selling orange juice and ice cream close by, which was refreshing given the heat. It was very crowded the time I went, in summer, but I waited for a while and was able to get the place mostly to myself. Worth seeing if you make it to Helsinki.

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Les Invalides is a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building"s original purpose. The buildings house the Musée de l"Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d"Histoire Contemporaine, as well as the burial site for some of France"s war heroes, notably Napoleon Bonaparte.

Louis XIV initiated the project in 1670, as a home and hospital for aged and unwell soldiers: the name is a shortened form of hôpital des invalides. The architect of Les Invalides was Libéral Bruant. The enlarged project was completed in 1676, the river front measured 196 metres and the complex had fifteen courtyards. Jules Hardouin Mansart assisted the aged Bruant, and the chapel was finished in 1679 to Bruant"s designs after the elder architect"s death.

Shortly after the veterans" chapel was completed, Louis XIV commissioned Mansart to construct a separate private royal chapel referred to as the Église du Dôme from its most striking feature. Inspired by St. Peter"s Basilica in Rome, the original for all Baroque domes, it is one of the triumphs of French Baroque architecture. The domed chapel is centrally placed to dominate the court of honour. It was finished in 1708.

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