A View of Helsinki from the New Fire Tower
From the top of Helsinki’s then-new fire tower, we’re treated to a rare panoramic view of the city center in the late 19th century. The neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral stands prominently in the distance, anchoring Senate Square and still a recognizable symbol of the city today. In front of it, we see a tightly packed urban landscape filled with stone buildings, courtyards, chimneys, and rooftops.
The richly decorated building in the lower foreground is the Wrede House, completed in 1888. It was among the city’s most modern buildings at the time, housing shops and apartments, and its architecture reflects the growing prosperity and urban development of the period.
Original Photograph
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Digitally Restored Photograph
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Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: K.E. Ståhlberg
Year: 1890-1899
Link to original photo here
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