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:

Comments

Your name

Website (optional)


Address

Aleksanterinkatu 24, Helsinki, Finland
See all sites in Helsinki

Details

Founded: 1816-1852
Category: Historic city squares, old towns and villages in Finland
Historical period: Russian Grand Duchy (Finland)

More Information

www.virtualhelsinki.net
en.wikipedia.org
www.visithelsinki.fi

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Helsinki Cathedral (0,1 km)
Havis Amanda (0,2 km)
Presidential Palace (0,2 km)
Ateneum Art Museum (0,5 km)
Uspenski Cathedral (0,4 km)
Hakasalmi Villa (1,2 km)
The National Museum of Finland (1,3 km)
Parliament House (1,1 km)
Olympic Stadium (2,4 km)


Hvitträsk (23,8 km)
Espoo Manor (20,7 km)
Espoo Cathedral (17,2 km)
The Church of St. Lawrence (12,8 km)
Alberga Manor (9,1 km)
Tuomarinkylä Manor Museum (9,7 km)
The Church of St. Sigfrid (28 km)
Kellokoski Ironworks (41,1 km)
Tuusula Church (27,5 km)

User Reviews

Shamim Ahmed (3 months ago)
Well-known landmark of Helsinki situated in city centre. Great view and panorama if you are standing at the top of those stairs. In winter covered with snow. 2 min walk from Railway station and Bus station.
Rory Sheehan (4 months ago)
Went to see the Christmas markets here and they were great. Atmosphere was a bit low but still good stalls. The view to the cathedral was beautiful and even better at night
Tiina Pelkonen (4 months ago)
A nice scenic spot in the centre of Helsinki. At the moment (Christmas time of 2018) the venue of the traditional st. Thomas Christmas market, which is worth a visit for tourists and locals alike.
Emil Georgiev (4 months ago)
Favorite spot in Helsinki. There were open swimming pools in November 2018. It is wonderful in the summer and spectacular when the see is frozen during the winter. You could jump on the ferry or just walk around. Love you Helsinki.
Lance Rhodes (4 months ago)
Christmas market was really nice. The setting was really beautiful. The outside of the Cathedral was stunning. Only down side was. Don't bother going into the Cathedral as its not worth it. Very white very plan. The only thing with any style or beauty is the organ. Walk in and walk out in five minutes.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Must-see historic sighs in Luxembourg
Photo from Flickr, copyright szeke

Historic Site of the week

Church of Our Lady before Týn

The Church of Our Lady before Týn is a dominant feature of the Old Town of Prague and has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. The church's towers are 80 m high and topped by four small spires.

In the 11th century, this area was occupied by a Romanesque church, which was built there for foreign merchants coming to the nearby Týn Courtyard. Later it was replaced by an early Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn in 1256. Construction of the present church began in the 14th century in the late Gothic style under the influence of Matthias of Arras and later Peter Parler. By the beginning of the 15th century, construction was almost complete; only the towers, the gable and roof were missing. The church was controlled by Hussites for two centuries, including John of Rokycan, future archbishop of Prague, who became the church's vicar in 1427. The roof was completed in the 1450s, while the gable and northern tower were completed shortly thereafter during the reign of George of Poděbrady (1453–1471). His sculpture was placed on the gable, below a huge golden chalice, the symbol of the Hussites. The southern tower was not completed until 1511, under architect Matěj Rejsek.

After the lost Battle of White Mountain (1620) began the era of harsh recatholicisation (part of the Counter-Reformation). Consequently, the sculptures of 'heretic king' George of Poděbrady and the chalice were removed in 1626 and replaced by a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, with a giant halo made from by melting down the chalice. In 1679 the church was struck by lightning, and the subsequent fire heavily damaged the old vault, which was later replaced by a lower baroque vault.

Renovation works carried out in 1876–1895 were later reversed during extensive exterior renovation works in the years 1973–1995. Interior renovation is still in progress.

The northern portal is a wonderful example of Gothic sculpture from the Parler workshop, with a relief depicting the Crucifixion. The main entrance is located on the church's western face, through a narrow passage between the houses in front of the church.

The early baroque altarpiece has paintings by Karel Škréta from around 1649. The oldest pipe organ in Prague stands inside this church. The organ was built in 1673 by Heinrich Mundt and is one of the most representative 17th-century organs in Europe.

Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
© 2019 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.