Press Release

Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019

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

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

Office of the President of the Republic
Press release 27/2019
2 September 2019

The public will have the opportunity to visit the Presidential Palace on three days, from 12 to 14 September 2019. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Finland’s republican form of government. In honour of the anniversary, the open house event will also take place in the Parliament Building, the Government Palace and the House of the Estates, in addition to the Presidential Palace.

The tour will introduce visitors to the main halls of the Presidential Palace. Visitors will tour the palace independently, but in addition to signs, staff from the Office of the President of the Republic will be present to answer questions. A photographic exhibition displayed in the halls shows Presidents of the Republic of Finland at work. Visitors should reserve approximately one hour for the tour.

Open house events were also held in the Presidential Palace also in 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2017. The open house event held in honour of Finland’s 100th anniversary attracted more than 11,000 visitors to the Presidential Palace over four days.

The doors of the Parliament Building will be open on Friday 13 September from 2pm to 7pm, and the doors of the Government Palace and House of the Estates will be open on Saturday 14 September from 10am to 3pm. The anniversary year will also be celebrated with various events in the second week of September.

Instructions for visitors

The doors of the Presidential Palace will be open to the public on Thursday 12 September, on Friday 13 September and on Saturday 14 September from 10am to 3pm. Visitors who join the queue by 3pm will be allowed inside, but anyone joining the queue after this will not be admitted. The entrance is at Mariankatu 2 (glass doors).

There are no cloakroom facilities at the Presidential Palace. Visitors should therefore bear in mind that they must carry any outer garments with them during the visit. No large bags or rucksacks will be permitted during the tour. Use of prams and pushchairs will not be permitted, but they can be left in a guarded space outside the Palace. Wheelchair users will be guided along an accessible route. Photography for personal use is permitted, but commercial photography is prohibited.

The tour starts at the Mariankatu entrance, passes through the Hall of State, the Dining Hall, the Hall of Mirrors and the Gothic Hall, and concludes at the gate on Pohjoisesplanadi, where visitors will exit the Palace (address Pohjoisesplanadi 1).

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

  • Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. Photo: Matti Porre/Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

    Open House at the Presidential Palace from 12 to 14 September 2019. 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 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