Presidential Palace

You’re now standing in front of Helsinki’s Presidential Palace, one of the official residences of the President of the Republic of Finland. The palace was completed in 1845—but before that, the site was home to a salt warehouse. In 1820, a wealthy Helsinki merchant purchased the land and built an impressive residence, grand enough to resemble a true palace. About twenty years later, the building was taken over by the Tsar of Russia, who used it as his official residence during visits to Helsinki. It was then enlarged and redesigned by Carl Ludvig Engel, the architect behind Senate Square and Helsinki’s iconic Lutheran Cathedral. What began as an imperial residence later became a military hospital during World War I. In 1919, as Finland officially became a republic, the palace took on its new role as the Presidential Palace. To this day, it remains one of the President’s main official residences—and one of Helsinki’s most recognisable landmarks, thanks to its grand proportions and elegant pale-yellow façade. Located across the harbour, the palace is not open to the public, but its striking exterior is certainly worth a look.