Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace is a neoclassical administrative building located at the corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Mariankatu streets with white facades facing Helsinki Market Square. It contains multiple formal rooms, including halls with mirrors and a dining space, arranged throughout the structure.

The building originated as a salt warehouse and was converted into a merchant residence in 1816. It later served as an imperial palace for Russian rulers before becoming the official residence of Finnish presidents.

The palace serves as a venue where formal receptions and state ceremonies take place, representing Finland in diplomatic relations with other nations. These halls embody the role this building plays in the country's official life.

The building is closed to the public for most of the year but opens on specific occasions for visitors to walk through. Check ahead for open days and allow time to explore the interior at a comfortable pace.

The interior preserves decorative Gothic Revival artworks from the 1870s that reflect different restoration periods. Five layers of ceiling paintings can be seen throughout the rooms, each representing a distinct phase of the building's artistic evolution.

Location: Helsinki

Inception: 1815

Architects: Carl Ludvig Engel, Pehr Granstedt

Official opening: 1820

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Elevation above the sea: 3 m

Part of: Helsinki Market Square with enclosing buildings, Leoparden

Website: https://presidentti.fi/sv/presidentinstitutionen/tjanstebostader/presidentens-slott

GPS coordinates: 60.16840,24.95628

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02