We documented the historical event in our video.
The bell tower of the Helsinki Railway Station rang for the first time in history on Sunday afternoon. A loud “DONG” rang 15 times from the 50-meter high tower, beginning at 15:00 sharp in sunny weather.
The bell tolling came to a climax with a beautiful melody that, according to the government-owned railway company, VR Group, drew influence from Finnish composers Oskar Merikanto and Jean Sibelius.
Hundreds of people had gathered near the station to witness the historical moment. In the end, they cheered and clapped.
The tolling of the bells honored the 150th birthday of Eliel Saarinen, the architect who designed the railway station.
Sibelius and Merikanto were Saarinen’s favorite composers.
View our video below:
