Rikhardinkatu Library, Public library in Kaartinkaupunki, Helsinki, Finland.
Rikhardinkatu Library is a public library in Helsinki, housed in a three-story Renaissance Revival building. A white spiral staircase runs through the center of the building and connects to a skylight at the top, which sends natural light down through all the floors.
The building opened in 1882 as the first structure in the Nordic region built from the ground up as a public library. It was funded by the Helsinki Liquor Company, which makes its origin an unusual chapter in the city's history.
The library regularly shows work by local artists and maintains a collection of artist books that visitors can browse alongside regular titles. This mix makes it a meeting point for people interested in creative work as much as in reading.
The library is easy to find and offers study and reading spots on every floor, with natural light coming in from the central skylight above. A courtyard at the back opens in summer and gives visitors a place to sit outside between sessions.
The old card catalog from the library's early days has been kept and turned into a community exchange point where visitors can leave or take small items. It is easy to walk past without noticing, but it is one of the more telling details in the building.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
