Betania-talo, Residential building in Punavuori, Helsinki, Finland
Betania-talo is a residential building in the Punavuori district located at the corner of Merimiehenkatu and Perämiehenkatu streets, directly beside Telakkapuisto park. The complex currently houses a daycare center and an artists' association, with plans to convert it completely into a childcare facility by 2026.
Architect K. A. Wrede designed this residential structure in 1904 for the City Mission organization, which gave it the name Betania Home. The building reflected the social and charitable work of this institution in the city.
The Betania Hall functions as a theater venue inside the structure, hosting performances by four different groups that use it regularly. The space serves as a gathering point for local artistic activity in the neighborhood.
The building sits in an established residential area with easy access to parks and local amenities through its central location in the Punavuori district. Visitors should note that the structure is actively in use and undergoing renovation work that continues through 2026.
The name comes from Bethany, a biblical village on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem where, according to the Gospel, Lazarus and his sisters lived. This religious reference shows how the City Mission connected its social work with spiritual values.
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