Hjelt Mansion, Turku
The Hjelt Mansion in Turku stands as a unique architectural gem, being the only surviving stone building in the country that fully embodies the Russian Empire style, specifically the Saint Petersburg Empire style. Constructed in 1830 by sea captain Hjelt on a plot purchased after the devastating Great Fire of Turku in 1827, the mansion features a striking two-story design. The upper floor served as Hjelt's residence, while the ground floor was rented to businesses.
The building's architectural details, such as Ionic columns and temple-like elements, harken back to classical Greek and Roman structures. Over the years, the Hjelt Mansion has seen varied uses. In the 1930s, it was acquired by the City of Turku and housed the local police department. Later, it served as a part of the Turku City Library, with the children's and young adults' section located on the ground floor, while the upper floor hosted the Turku Cultural Centre.
In 1991, the mansion underwent significant renovations, preparing it for new purposes. Today, it houses the Turku City Youth Services and serves as the headquarters for several organizations dedicated to the Baltic Sea region, including Centrum Balticum and the Union of the Baltic Cities Sustainable Cities Commission. Officially designated as the "Baltic Sea House" in 2008, the Hjelt Mansion remains a historical and cultural hub in Turku's Old Great Square, preserving its architectural significance while adapting to modern civic functions.
The building's architectural details, such as Ionic columns and temple-like elements, harken back to classical Greek and Roman structures. Over the years, the Hjelt Mansion has seen varied uses. In the 1930s, it was acquired by the City of Turku and housed the local police department. Later, it served as a part of the Turku City Library, with the children's and young adults' section located on the ground floor, while the upper floor hosted the Turku Cultural Centre.
In 1991, the mansion underwent significant renovations, preparing it for new purposes. Today, it houses the Turku City Youth Services and serves as the headquarters for several organizations dedicated to the Baltic Sea region, including Centrum Balticum and the Union of the Baltic Cities Sustainable Cities Commission. Officially designated as the "Baltic Sea House" in 2008, the Hjelt Mansion remains a historical and cultural hub in Turku's Old Great Square, preserving its architectural significance while adapting to modern civic functions.
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Hjelt Mansion on Map
Sight Name: Hjelt Mansion
Sight Location: Turku, Finland (See walking tours in Turku)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Turku, Finland (See walking tours in Turku)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Turku, Finland
Create Your Own Walk in Turku
Creating your own self-guided walk in Turku is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Turku's Architectural Jewels
The oldest city in Finland, Turku, has several attractive old buildings that catch the eye and showcase the city's rich history and culture.
Prime among such jewels are the Turku Orthodox Church, characterized by its distinctive onion-shaped domes, the historic neoclassical Swedish-language Abo Svenska Theater, and the beautiful late 19th-century Turku Old Market Hall (Turun Kauppahalli).... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Prime among such jewels are the Turku Orthodox Church, characterized by its distinctive onion-shaped domes, the historic neoclassical Swedish-language Abo Svenska Theater, and the beautiful late 19th-century Turku Old Market Hall (Turun Kauppahalli).... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Turku Introduction Walking Tour
Turku is the oldest city in Finland. The city served as the capital of Finland from September 1809 through April 1812. It is a popular tourist destination because of its long history and impact on Finnish culture.
The name "Turku" derives from the Slavic word for marketplace. Not surprisingly, Turku has popular markets like those held at the Turku Old Market Hall and Market Square.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
The name "Turku" derives from the Slavic word for marketplace. Not surprisingly, Turku has popular markets like those held at the Turku Old Market Hall and Market Square.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles