Presidential Palace

Original building

Where the Presidential Palace is now, there was still at the beginning of the 19th century a salt storehouse. J.H. Heidenstrauch, at that time one of the elite of the town’s merchants, purchased the entire lot and erected there a stately residence designed by architect Pehr Granstedt.

Pickaxe and builder’s trowel turned the old salt storehouse into an unexpectedly fine creation. The beam ceiling above the row of columns in the middle section had framed settings, and everything was so well proportioned that the house with its two wings more resembled a palace than anything else. In 1837 it actually became one when the construction committee purchased it for the price of 170 000 roubles for official use.

Imperial palace

The necessary rebuilding and furnishing work was directed by architect C.L. Engel, creator of the neoclassical Helsinki. All the timber storehouses behind were torn down and a new wing added. This wing, built along the north of the courtyard, contained on the second floor the chapel (the present library), ball room, banquet hall in direct connection with the earlier reception floor of the main building, as well as a tremendous kitchen with the necessary pantries and sculleries on the bottom floor. For three years the best craftsmen in town worked on the palace, with quite good effect.

The Palace was completed in 1845, though repairs had to be made from time to time as mostly it stood empty and was not regularly heated. It was visited for the first time by a members of the imperial family as late as 1851. The visitor was the young heir apparent Alexander Nikolayevitsh (later Czar Alexander II). During Alexander II’s reign the Palace had its most brilliant time. The Czar visited the city three times (1856, 1863, and 1876), staying on each occasion at the Palace.

1863 is a memorable year in the history of the building. The Finnish Parliament was to be opened by the Czar in the Great Ballroom. The Ballroom was accordingly converted into a throne-room, with the imperial throne in the background.

With Alexander II’s death came the end for ever of imperial festivities in the Palace. The iron gates were kept closed. The house was certainly well kept: as late as 1905 a reception suite was added to it by Jac. Ahrenberg. This included the large state reception room with the beautiful front hall where “Psyche and Zephyr” by Walter Runeberg, was placed – the statue had been purchased for the art collections of the Palace in anticipation of the Czar’s visit in 1876 – and a reception vestibule facing Mariankatu Street.

Different kinds of use

Under the aggravated political conditions of World War I the residence was converted into the Military Hospital of the Finnish Senate. In 1917-18 the revolutionary council of the soldiers and workers stayed in the house, and during the very first years of Finland’s independence one of the upper floors served as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Presidential Palace

In regard to the practical application of the country’s new constitution it was clear that the most suitable residence for the President was in the former imperial palace. Complete repairs were made at speed, the furnishings and art collections were supplemented. One year’s work left all the rooms ready for use again. Since then, both everyday and ceremonial life move in an already established rhythm in the notable house in the North Esplanade.

It contains the Office of the President of the Republic and the premises used by the President for official functions and receptions. These include the annual Independence Day (6 December) reception and various other high-level festive functions, in addition to meetings and consultations. The Palace has nearly 3,000 square metres of floor space.

Virtual tour of the Presidential Palace

  • The Presidential Palace is located in Helsinki, at the corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Mariankatu, on one side of the Market Square.Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The Presidential Palace is located in Helsinki, at the corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Mariankatu, on one side of the Market Square.Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The Presidential Palace. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    The Presidential Palace. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • The palace's main entrance on Pohjoisesplanadi has been given a more distinguished and stately appearance. A red damask pattern carpet leads palace guests up the stairs. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities 2014

    The palace's main entrance on Pohjoisesplanadi has been given a more distinguished and stately appearance. A red damask pattern carpet leads palace guests up the stairs. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities 2014

  • The staircase regained a marbling painting observed in late 19th century black-and-white photographs. Investigation on the third-floor landing revealed original colour hues and fragments. Photo: Matti Porre / Office of the President of the Republic

    The staircase regained a marbling painting observed in late 19th century black-and-white photographs. Investigation on the third-floor landing revealed original colour hues and fragments. Photo: Matti Porre / Office of the President of the Republic

  • The Gothic Revival-style decorative paintings on the ceiling and cupola of the Gothic Hall probably date back to 1870–1880. The 22 provincial and civic coats of arms bordering the roof of the Gothic Hall date back to the same period. Originally designed and made for this hall in particular, the chairs were created by Helsinki carpenter Gustaf Lindh in 1843. This room was originally on two levels. One door was removed and the cupola was built when the merchant’s manor was renovated to form an Imperial Palace. Photo: Soile Tirilä / The Finnish National Board of Antiquities

    The Gothic Revival-style decorative paintings on the ceiling and cupola of the Gothic Hall probably date back to 1870–1880. The 22 provincial and civic coats of arms bordering the roof of the Gothic Hall date back to the same period. Originally designed and made for this hall in particular, the chairs were created by Helsinki carpenter Gustaf Lindh in 1843. This room was originally on two levels. One door was removed and the cupola was built when the merchant’s manor was renovated to form an Imperial Palace. Photo: Soile Tirilä / The Finnish National Board of Antiquities

  • The Gothic Revival-style decorative paintings on the ceiling and cupola of the Gothic Hall probably date back to 1870–1880. The 22 provincial and civic coats of arms bordering the roof of the Gothic Hall date back to the same period. Originally designed and made for this hall in particular, the chairs were created by Helsinki carpenter Gustaf Lindh in 1843. This room was originally on two levels. One door was removed and the cupola was built when the merchant’s manor was renovated to form an Imperial Palace. Photo: Soile Tirilä / The Finnish National Board of Antiquities

  • The Gothic Hall. Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

  • Decorative painting on the roof of the Gothic Hall has regained its 19th-century appearance. Altogether there have been five phases of painting of the cupola of the Gothic Hall. The newly restored appearance is the oldest original surface from the second phase. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities 2014

    Decorative painting on the roof of the Gothic Hall has regained its 19th-century appearance. Altogether there have been five phases of painting of the cupola of the Gothic Hall. The newly restored appearance is the oldest original surface from the second phase. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities 2014

  • Decorative painting on the roof of the Gothic Hall has regained its 19th-century appearance. Altogether there have been five phases of painting of the cupola of the Gothic Hall. The newly restored appearance is the oldest original surface from the second phase. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

  • Altogether there have been five phases of painting of the cupola of the Gothic Hall. The newly restored appearance is the oldest original surface from the second phase. Photo: Matti Porre / Office of the President of the Republic

  • Bilateral meetings with the President of the Republic are held in the President’s o cial study. The President also delivers his annual New Year’s speech from there. All presidents of Finland have used the desk lamp. This room also has one of the four working replaces in the Presidential Palace. Paintings from the imperial art collection are hung on its walls and a painting called The Nyländska Jaktklubben Harbour in Helsinki completed by Albert Edelfelt for the Paris World Exhibition of 1900 hangs behind the desk. Foto: Soile Tirilä /Museiverket

    Bilateral meetings with the President of the Republic are held in the President’s o cial study. The President also delivers his annual New Year’s speech from there. All presidents of Finland have used the desk lamp. This room also has one of the four working replaces in the Presidential Palace. Paintings from the imperial art collection are hung on its walls and a painting called The Nyländska Jaktklubben Harbour in Helsinki completed by Albert Edelfelt for the Paris World Exhibition of 1900 hangs behind the desk. Foto: Soile Tirilä /Museiverket

  • Smaller state lunches or dinners and change of government ceremonies are held in the Hall of Mirrors. Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, this room was originally the Emperor’s throne room and ballroom. It was modelled on the Berlin Schauspielhaus designed by German architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Photo: Soile Tirilä / The Finnish National Board of Antiquities

  • The Hall of Mirrors. Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

    The Hall of Mirrors. Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

  • Events, such as banquets for state visits, are held in the Hall of State. Independence Day handshakes and dancing also take place there. Completed in 1907, the hall was inspired by St George’s Hall in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The Lex statue (1919) by Walter Runeberg is a plaster copy of the Lex section of the statue of Alexander II in Senate Square. Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

    Events, such as banquets for state visits, are held in the Hall of State. Independence Day handshakes and dancing also take place there. Completed in 1907, the hall was inspired by St George’s Hall in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The Lex statue (1919) by Walter Runeberg is a plaster copy of the Lex section of the statue of Alexander II in Senate Square. Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

  • Official talks and receptions are arranged in the Dining Hall. Serving tables are arranged there on Independence Day. Paintings in the grisaille style, which were restored during the renovation of the 1970s, can be seen on the ceiling. Being representative of the Empire style, these paintings on botanical subjects accord with the original model. Paintings from the imperial art collection can be seen on the walls. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

    Official talks and receptions are arranged in the Dining Hall. Serving tables are arranged there on Independence Day. Paintings in the grisaille style, which were restored during the renovation of the 1970s, can be seen on the ceiling. Being representative of the Empire style, these paintings on botanical subjects accord with the original model. Paintings from the imperial art collection can be seen on the walls. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities

  • The entrance on Mariankatu. Staircase leading to the Atrium from the foyer of the Mariankatu entrance. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities 2014

    The entrance on Mariankatu. Staircase leading to the Atrium from the foyer of the Mariankatu entrance. Photo: Soile Tirilä / National Board of Antiquities 2014

  • Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Additional Information

Brochure of the Presidential Palace (PDF)