Senate Square, Helsinki, Finland

Senate Square (Senaatintori) presents Carl Ludvig Engel's architecture as a unique allegory of political, religious, scientific and commercial powers in the centre of Helsinki. It has been the centrum of Helsinki since the city was established in 1640. Russians destroyed Helsinki entirely during the Great Northern War (1713-1721).

When the Finland became an autonomous part of Russia in 1812, the capital was moved from Turku to Helsinki. This started a massive construction programme to enhance the cityscape of Helsinki. The responsibility of the new design was given to German architect Carl Ludvig Engel. He decided that all buildings surrounding the old main square should be reconstructed to solid neoclassical ensemble. Many old buildings were demolished including the church of Ulrika Eleonora.

The Palace of the Council of State was completed on the eastern side of the Senate Square in 1822. The main University building, on the opposite side of the Senate Square, was constructed in 1832. The Helsinki Cathedral on the northern edge of the Senate Square was Engel's lengthiest architectural project. He was working on it from 1818 until his death in 1840. The Helsinki Cathedral — then called the Church of St. Nicholas — dominates the Senate Square, and was finalized twelve years afters Engel's death, in 1852.

A statue of Emperor Alexander II is located in the center of the square. The statue, erected in 1894, was built to commemorate his re-establishment the Diet of Finland in 1863, as well as his initiation of several reforms that increased Finland's autonomy from Russia. The statue comprises Alexander on a pedestal surrounded by figures representing the law, culture and the peasants.

Today, the Senate Square is one of the main tourist attractions of Helsinki. Various art happenings, ranging from concerts to snow buildings to controversial snow board happenings, have been set up on the Senate Square. Several buildings near the Senate Square are managed by the government real estate provider, Senate Properties.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Martin Čmarada (39 days ago)
Absolutely brilliant place! Essential for visit when you're in Helsinki

Rupa Das (59 days ago)
Our walking tour of the old city portion of Helsinki started here. I highly recommend this walking tour. The place comes alive when the tour guide explains the history and anecdotes as well as observations. A geological exhibition was going on when we visited. Even if you skip going inside the square itself is a must visit. Surrounded as it is by important historical buildings

G Mac (3 months ago)
A most impressive public Square. If you climb the steps to the cathedral, you have a wonderful view over the area and also of the skyline. there are lots of shops and places to eat. Go into the cathedral if you can as it is a spectacular building.

Dipesh Patel (4 months ago)
The only place probably which has the most crowd in the entire Finland l. Helsinki city center area is gorgeous for a summer walk around and this place in its vicinity is no exception. Speaking of the place specifically, there is a Helsinki logo/artwork piece where one click photos with it.

nabonita Biswas (5 months ago)
One of the popular places to visit in Helsinki both for tourists and locals. This place has an appealing vibe all year around. The white church looks magnificent both in blue sunny days as well as in white snowy days. This is also the main place for all important city events, so you get to enjoy something every time you visit, if nothing special happening then sitting on the church staircases and watching the crowd, has its own unique charm. This is my favourite place in Helsinki as a local resident.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright bialobrody

Historic Site of the week

Strekov Castle

Střekov Castle (Schreckenstein) is perched atop a cliff above the River Elbe, near the city of Ústí nad Labem. It was built in 1316 for John of Luxembourg, the father of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, to guard an important trade route to Germany. After changing hands several times, the castle was acquired by the Lobkowicz family in 1563. Its strategic importance led to occupations by Imperial Habsburg, Saxon, and Swedish forces during the Thirty Years' War, as well as successive sieges by Austrian and Prussian armies during the Seven Years' War.

Although Střekov Castle was heavily damaged during those conflicts and abandoned as a military installation by the end of the 18th century, the 1800s saw many poets and artists visiting the castle, drawn by a new trend of interest in romantic ruins.

Senate Square

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Strekov Castle