Pohjoisesplanadi 1
The palace was constructed in 1820 as the home of
the merchant J.H. Heidenstrauch. It was later
bought by the Russians as the Czar’s residence
during his stay in Helsinki.
In 1921, after Finland’s independence, the building
was refurbished for the Finnish president, but is
now used for representative functions. The
president lives elsewhere.
Salu Square/Kauppatori
On this busy market place by the water is Helsinki’s
old market hall from 1889, the first in Finland.
The Presidential Palace, Helsinki Town Hall and
Sweden’s embassy stand in a row along the
northern side of the square are
Salu Square’s western part is adorned by a fountain,
Havis Amanda, the symbol of Helsinki
Finland’s marshal, Baron C.G. Mannerheim, lived
here from 1924 to 1951. The museum displays
Mannerheim’s history and through it a part of
Finland’s more recent history as well.
Mannerheim was trained for the military in St.
Petersburg, served 30 years in the Russian army, led
Finland through its civil war in 1918, was
Commander-in-Chief during the Second World War
and finally the country’s [...]
5 km SE
Suomenlinna is one of the world’s largest maritime
fortresses. It lies on 6 of the outer islands off
Helsinki’s coast, and can be reached by boat from
Salutorvet.
Sweden lost all its eastern fortresses to Russia in the
Great Nordic War in the beginning of the 18th
century, hence the need for the construction of
Sveaborg.
Construction for the defense of [...]
Kanavakatu 1
The Russian cathedral, inspired by a 16th century
church near Moscow, was built in the Russian
Byzantine style in 1862-1868. Uspenski has 13 gilded
onion domes and is fitted in the beautiful and richly
ornate traditional Russian style.
Helsinki was the sixth city in Finland, founded in
1550 by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa. Its name in
Swedish is Helsingfors.
Gustav Vasa wanted to establish a competitor to the
Hansa Union’s thriving trading center, Tallinn, on
the other side of the Gulf of Finland. By royal
decree, trading was begun in the city.
However, for centuries after the decree, Helsingfors
remained [...]
Snellmanninkatu
The plaza is named after Snellman, one of the major
political leaders in the national movement of the
19th century. A statue of him stands in front of
Finland’s National Bank, built in 1876-1883 as a
renaissance palace.
Senaatintori
The majestic white cathedral in neoclassical style
was built in 1830-1852 as the Nicholas Church
Senaatintori
In 1809, when Finland became a part of the Russian
Empire, Helsinki was made the capital city and the
Senate Square was designed and built in St.
Petersburg style.
In the center of the square is a statue of Czar
Alexander III, raised in 1894.
On the eastern [...]
Trinity Church/ Pyhan Kolminaisuuden kirkko
Unioninkatu 31
The church was constructed in 1825-1827 as the first
Orthodox Church in Finland. The architect was Carl
Engel, who besides building this neoclassical church
also built the Senate Square.
