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 Infomastern

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Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

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