Pohjola Insurance building, Office building in Kluuvi, Helsinki, Finland
The Pohjola Insurance building at 44 Aleksanterinkatu is a stone structure of granite and soapstone with carved animals, mythological creatures, and natural motifs across its facade. Inside, protected rooms feature red pine paneling, cast-iron wheel chandeliers, and a circular stairway lined with iron banisters.
The architectural firm Gesellius, Lindgren and Saarinen designed and built this headquarters for the Pohjola Insurance Company between 1899 and 1901. The building emerged when Finnish companies sought to express their national identity through architecture.
The building draws from Finnish mythology and nature, particularly featuring Pohjola from the Kalevala epic in its ornamental details. These symbolic decorations show how insurance companies of that era expressed their identity through cultural landmarks.
The building sits in central Helsinki on a busy street, easily reached on foot. The protected interior spaces can be viewed from outside, allowing a closer look at the historic craftsmanship and materials.
The building is crowned by a cone-shaped tower designed to resemble a pinecone. This distinctive feature is visible from many points across the city and showcases the architects' creativity in blending local forest imagery into the design.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
