The Sibelius Monument is an abstract work of art in the heart of a scenic park. Dedicated to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, the sculpture depicts organ pipes that seem to float in the air. Capture photos of your friends and family hovering around the intriguing monument.
Inspect the 600 hollow steel pipes that make up the piece of art. Appreciate the wave pattern of the pipes that gives the work a sense of flow and movement. The monument is deceptively large with a height of 28 feet (8.5 meters) and a width of 21 feet (6.5 meters). Relish the pleasant surroundings of the trees, patches of grass and paths of the park.
Note that of the many pipes, only three touch the ground to support the sculpture. This creates the illusion that the abstract organ is floating. See the bust of the composer, who was born in 1865, in his youth on the side of the monument.
Learn the background of this fascinating sculpture, which was crafted by Finnish artist Eila Hiltunen and initially titled Passio Musicae. It was first unveiled in the park in 1967, 10 years after the composer’s death, with its abstract design the cause of much controversy. Before visiting the monument, listen to some of Sibelius’ famous compositions, such as Finlandia and Valse Triste. If you come to the monument on a windy day, you might hear the pipes making their own music.
Wander through the scenic woodland of Sibelius Park and choose a grassy patch for a picnic. Spot the Kalevala Monument, a bronze statue depicting a scene from an iconic Finnish work of poetry. Among the park’s intriguing structures is the World War II monument that pays tribute to the fallen.
Walk along the seaside boulevard on the western flank of the park. Bring the kids to the playground and relax at one of the cafés.
Find the Sibelius Monument in the central part of its eponymous park in the Töölö district of Helsinki. It is 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) northwest from the Helsinki Railway Station, which is about a 30-minute walk from the monument. Nearby landmarks include the Seurasaari Open Air Museum and the Finlandia Hall.
