Espoo Cathedral from the Air: Medieval Stone Church in Finland | Espoon tuomiokirkko | Esbo domkyrka

Espoo Cathedral from the Air – Medieval Stone Church in Finland. Select the image to watch the video on YouTube.

 

Experience Espoo Cathedral from above in this peaceful drone video filmed in Espoo, Finland. Known in Finnish as Espoon tuomiokirkko and in Swedish as Esbo domkyrka, the cathedral is one of the most remarkable medieval stone churches in Finland.

The oldest parts of Espoo Cathedral date back to the late 15th century, with construction traditionally linked to the years 1485–1490. Designed by an unknown medieval master, the church remains an important landmark of Finnish medieval architecture and one of Espoo’s most historically valuable buildings. The aerial views highlight the cathedral’s stone structure, surrounding churchyard, and autumn colors of southern Finland.

This drone video combines medieval architecture, Finnish history, and beautiful autumn scenery. The soundtrack features Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Finale, adding a timeless classical atmosphere to the views of Espoo Cathedral.

Suomeksi:
Espoon tuomiokirkko ilmasta kuvattuna drone-videolla. Espoon tuomiokirkko on keskiaikainen kivikirkko Espoossa ja yksi kaupungin tärkeimmistä historiallisista maamerkeistä. Syksyn värit, vanha kivikirkko ja klassinen musiikki luovat rauhallisen näkymän suomalaiseen kulttuurimaisemaan.

På svenska:
Esbo domkyrka sedd från luften i en drönarvideo. Den medeltida stenkyrkan är ett av Esbos viktigaste historiska landmärken och en betydelsefull del av Finlands medeltida kyrkoarkitektur.

Lapinlahti at Night: Migratory Birds Leaving Finland | Art Photography

 

A summer night view from Lapinlahti, Helsinki, where migratory birds gather before leaving Finland. Lapinlahti Hospital adds a historic backdrop to the scene.

 

 

A quiet summer night in Lapinlahti, Helsinki, turns into a poetic moment as migratory birds move through the darkening sky. In the photograph, the birds appear above the historic landscape of Lapinlahti, where nature, architecture, and memory meet in one atmospheric scene.

Part of the roof of the former Lapinlahti Hospital is also visible in the image. The building gives the photograph a deeper historical layer: Lapinlahti Hospital was completed in 1841 and is known as Finland’s first hospital built for psychiatric care. It was designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel, whose neoclassical architecture helped shape many of Helsinki’s most recognizable historical landmarks.

Today, the Lapinlahti area is remembered not only for its medical history but also for its peaceful seaside setting, old hospital buildings, and cultural atmosphere. The contrast between the silent roofline and the movement of birds creates a strong visual story: the past remains still, while nature continues its seasonal journey.

This art photograph captures more than a night view. It reflects the feeling of departure, history, and quiet beauty in Helsinki. The migratory birds leaving Finland bring motion to the scene, while the former Lapinlahti psychiatric hospital stands as a reminder of the city’s layered past.

Costa Pacifica from the Air: Cruise Ship Leaving Helsinki, Finland

Costa Pacifica Cruise Ship Leaving the Port of Helsinki, Finland – Drone Video

Costa Pacifica from the Air: Cruise Ship Leaving Helsinki, Finland

The Costa Pacifica cruise ship is seen leaving the Port of Helsinki, Finland, in this aerial drone video. From above, the vessel’s impressive size stands out against the open water and coastal scenery of Helsinki, offering a clear view of a modern cruise ship departing the Finnish capital.

Costa Pacifica is an Italian cruise ship built by Fincantieri and delivered in 2009. The ship is approximately 290.2 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 114,500 GRT, and includes 1,504 passenger cabins. Fincantieri describes Costa Pacifica as the first “music ship” in the Costa fleet, giving the vessel a distinctive identity among large European cruise ships.

The ship’s IMO number is 9378498, and it sails under the Italian flag. Vessel data sources list Costa Pacifica as a passenger cruise ship built in 2009, with a beam of about 35.5 meters and a deadweight of 10,000 tonnes.

This drone footage captures a calm maritime moment in Helsinki: a large cruise ship slowly moving away from the port, the city shoreline behind it, and the Baltic Sea opening ahead. The aerial perspective makes the departure feel both grand and peaceful, highlighting Helsinki’s role as an important cruise destination in Northern Europe.

A Little Girl in Quan Loi, Vietnam: A Photograph from the 1960s

A little girl from Quan Loi, Vietnam, photographed in the 1960s — a quiet memory from a place and time that have never been forgotten.

I took this picture about 53 years ago in 1960s, so this little girl would be a woman in her late fifties give or take a little. 

We landed in a beautiful place called Quan Loi Vietnam, Before Quan Loi became a big airstrip, and the short time I was there became good friends with her Grandparents. I have often wondered what happened to them. She and her sister were living with the Grandparents while their parents staid in the city to work.

If you have any information about her or her family and what happened to them, please contact us through the contact form. 

 

- James Smith 

A police-style car in Tallinn Old Town, Estonia — possibly inspired by a Soviet-era militia vehicle. Photographed near Henriks Kohvik / Henriks Cafe in 2019. 

Police Car in Tallinn, Estonia: Soviet-Era Militia Vehicle or Local Curiosity?

A day trip to Tallinn can turn into a small visual treasure hunt, especially when walking through the streets of the Old Town. This photograph was taken on 20 April 2019 during a Tallink day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn, followed by a relaxed walk through the city.

The scene shows a police-style car in Tallinn Old Town, Estonia. At first glance, it raises a question: is it a modern local curiosity, a display vehicle, or perhaps a car inspired by the old Soviet-era militia vehicles? Without verified details about the vehicle itself, it is better to leave the question open — and that uncertainty is part of the charm of the image.

Tallinn Old Town is one of Estonia’s most atmospheric places for a walking trip. Its historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Visit Tallinn describes the Old Town not only as a preserved historic treasure, but also as a living and constantly evolving part of the city.

The photograph also captures everyday street details that make travel images memorable: Henriks Kohvik / Henriks Cafe, a Protsess poster, old façades, and the layered feeling of Tallinn’s urban history. These small discoveries often say more about a destination than the most famous landmarks.

The trip itself was part of the classic Helsinki–Tallinn ferry route, one of the most convenient ways to visit Estonia from Finland. Tallink operates year-round sea connections on the Helsinki–Tallinn route, making Tallinn an easy destination for a short city break or a one-day walk through the Old Town.

This image is a reminder that travel photography does not always need a perfect postcard view. Sometimes the best travel memories come from a surprising detail on a side street — a car, a café sign, a poster, and a question that remains unanswered.