Old Academy Building, Educational landmark near Cathedral Square, Turku, Finland
The Old Academy Building is a neoclassical structure in Turku with 32 polished crystal chandeliers and gilt-framed portraits hung throughout. The building contains multiple halls equipped with modern technology and currently serves as a courthouse complex housing over 100 staff members.
The building was completed in 1815 and initially served as the Royal Academy of Turku. After the Great Fire of 1827 forced the academy to relocate to Helsinki, the structure was repurposed for other institutional functions.
The Ceremonial Hall's granite pillars draw inspiration from Saint Petersburg's Saint Isaac's Cathedral, creating a grand space for academic celebrations. Today people gather here for official university events and classical music concerts in this formally decorated setting.
The building sits near Cathedral Square and is relatively easy to find for visitors exploring that area. Most of the structure operates as a working institution, so access to interior spaces may be limited outside of special events.
The walls display portraits of former Court of Appeal Presidents reaching back to 1623, documenting one of Finland's longest-operating judicial institutions. Visitors walking through the corridors can observe this visual record of Finnish legal history spanning centuries.
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