Havis Amanda, Helsinki, Finland

Havis Amanda is a nude female statue sculpted by Ville Vallgren (1855-1940). He made it 1906 in Paris, but was not erected at its present location at the Market Square in Kaartinkaupunki until 1908. Havis Amanda is one of Vallgren's Parisian Art Nouveau works. She is a mermaid who stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions. She is depicted leaning backwards as if to say goodbye to her element. Vallgren's intention was to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki. The height of the statue is 194 centimetres and with the pedestal it stands 5 metres tall. According to Vallgren's letters the model for the statue was a then 19-year-old Parisian lady, Marcelle Delquini.

Havis Amanda is the most popular statue in Helsinki. Every year on 30th of April it serves as a centrepiece for the celebrations. Students of the local universities put a cap on the statue on an elaborate ceremony.

User Reviews

Dan Leung (2 years ago)
The center piece is missing but the guardian seals are still there and looking great.

Marilou Tolentino (2 years ago)
Havis Amanda is a fountain and a sculpture by Ville Vallgren situated between the Esplanadi and the Market Square where vehicles and pedestrians move about this spot, like a roundabout. So be wary of your safety as you take photos of this mermaid.

Bharathi Mani (2 years ago)
Beautiful statue of a naked woman, iconic of Helsinki. It's a must do of any city tour of Helsinki.

Tong Peng Tan (3 years ago)
A beautiful place in middle of Helsinki. Worth taking a look if you are nearby shopping. However this sculpture is worth some maintenance, it is very beautiful in winter time as well. Worth the visit!!!

Nikos Gkekas (3 years ago)
Havis Amanda is the most popular and iconic statue in Helsinki. The statue shows a nude mermaid leaning backward with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions. Havis Amanda (or Manta) is regarded as a symbol of Helsinki and is the focal point of the annual Vappu (May Day) festivities.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

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