Senate Square (Senaatintori)

Senate Square (Senaatintori) is the neoclassical centrepiece of Helsinki, located in the Kruununhaka district at 00170 Helsinki, a short walk from the harbour. The square was laid out in the early 19th century after Russia made Helsinki the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland, and the German-born architect Carl Ludvig Engel designed most of the surrounding buildings. On the north side, Helsinki Cathedral rises above a wide flight of steps, its white walls and green domes a symbol of the city. To the west stands the Government Palace, on the east the main building of the University of Helsinki, and in the south-east corner Sederholm House, the oldest stone building in central Helsinki, which dates from 1757. At the centre is a bronze statue of Tsar Alexander II, unveiled in 1894, who is remembered for allowing the Finnish parliament to meet. Visitors can climb the cathedral steps for a view across the square and toward the harbour, sit on the steps with a coffee, or visit the cafes and shops along the edge. The square is open at all times and free, and a typical visit lasts 30 to 60 minutes, longer if combined with the cathedral interior or the nearby Helsinki City Museum. Good photo angles include the cathedral from the base of the statue, the square from the top of the steps and the symmetrical facade of the university library nearby. Crowds are heaviest from late morning to mid-afternoon in summer, and the square hosts markets, Christmas events and concerts, which can fill it considerably. Morning and early evening bring softer light and fewer visitors. Trams 2, 4 and 5 stop at Senaatintori, and the square is about a 10-minute walk from Helsinki Central Station.