City Center, Helsinki

The heart of Helsinki is the Market Square (Kauppatori), which is the scene of lively activity on market days and preserves its particular charm even on cold winter mornings. It lies on the north side of the South Harbor, with an obelisk commemorating a visit to Helsinki by the Russian Empress Alexandra in 1833. From here there are boats to Suomenlinna and to the skerries, and on either side of the harbor are the quays used by the ferries from Sweden. On the north side of the square stands the Town Hall (Kaupungintalo; by C. L. Engel, 1833), with a light blue facade. At the northeast corner of the square is the President's Palace (Presidentinlinna), and beyond it the Guard House. At the west end of the square, between the two boulevards of the Esplanade, is the Havis Amanda fountain (by V. Vallgren, 1908). Beyond this is the popular Esplanadikappeli restaurant, with a stage on which concerts are given in summer. A little way south, on the seaward side of the Eteläranta, is the picturesque old Market Hall (Kauppahalli; 1891).