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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

Helsinki in the 1890s was a time of significant change and progress. The city, which had been under Russian rule since 1809, was undergoing a period of rapid modernization, with new buildings, institutions, and cultural movements emerging rapidly.

At the turn of the century, Helsinki was still a relatively small and provincial city, with a population of around 60,000 people. However, it was also the capital of Finland’s autonomous Grand Duchy, giving it a unique position within the Russian Empire. Despite the restrictions imposed by the Russian government, Helsinki developed its own distinct identity as a center of Finnish culture and political activism.

One of the most important events of the decade was the opening of the Ateneum Art Museum in 1887. The Ateneum, which was designed by the Finnish architect Theodor Höijer, quickly became a symbol of the city’s cultural aspirations. It housed a collection of Finnish and international art and was vital in promoting the Finnish national identity.

Another significant development of the 1890s was the construction of the Helsinki Cathedral, which was completed in 1852. The Cathedral, which is located in the heart of the city, is an impressive neoclassical building with a distinctive green dome. It remains one of Helsinki’s most recognizable landmarks and a popular destination for tourists and locals.

In addition to these cultural landmarks, Helsinki was also experiencing significant economic growth in the 1890s. The city’s port, established in the early 18th century, expanded rapidly, and Helsinki became an important center of trade and commerce within the Baltic region.

This growth was accompanied by a surge in industrialization, which saw the emergence of new factories and mills in the city’s outskirts. These industries, which produced everything from textiles to chemicals, provided employment opportunities for the city’s growing population and helped to fuel the city’s economy.

However, not everyone benefited from Helsinki’s growth. The city’s working-class neighborhoods, which were located in the eastern part of the city, were overcrowded and under-resourced. Housing conditions were poor, and many residents lived in cramped and unsanitary conditions.

In response to these challenges, several social and political movements emerged in Helsinki in the 1890s. The most significant of these was the Finnish Social Democratic Party, which was founded in 1899. The Social Democrats were committed to improving the conditions of the working class and advocating for workers’ rights and welfare.

However, the Social Democrats faced significant opposition from the Russian government, which saw the party as threatening its authority. The government implemented a range of measures to suppress the party, including censorship and arrests of its leaders.

Despite these challenges, Helsinki continued to develop as a center of Finnish culture and identity in the 1890s. The city’s literary scene, which included writers such as Aleksis Kivi and Juhani Aho, was thriving, and new artistic movements such as symbolism and Jugendstil were emerging.

Here are some stunning historical photos that show Helsinki in the 1890s.

#1 Central railway station square and the Finnish National Theater in Helsinki

Central railway station square and the Finnish National Theater in Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#2 Bulevardi, Helsinki

Bulevardi, Helsinki

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#3 Locomotive in Linnunlaulu, towards Helsinki

Locomotive in Linnunlaulu, towards Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#4 Locomotive on the Market Square, Helsinki

Locomotive on the Market Square, Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#5 People at Central Railway Station in Helsinki

People at Central Railway Station in Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#6 People in the park of Helsinki Old Church

People in the park of Helsinki Old Church

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#7 Ski jumping in Alppila, Helsinki

Ski jumping in Alppila, Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#8 At the Old Student house, Vanha ylioppilastalo, Helsinki

At the Old Student house, Vanha ylioppilastalo, Helsinki

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#9 Balloons for sale at Yrjönkatu, Helsinki

Balloons for sale at Yrjönkatu, Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#10 Constitutional Friendly Society on Uudenmaankatu, Helsinki

Constitutional Friendly Society on Uudenmaankatu, Helsinki

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#11 Construction workers taking a break, Helsinki

Construction workers taking a break, Helsinki

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#12 Erottaja, Helsinki. The Swedish Theater in the front

Erottaja, Helsinki. The Swedish Theater in the front

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#13 Kaivopuisto Park

Kaivopuisto Park

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#14 Kleinehs Hotel at 9 Pohjoisesplanadi Street, Helsinki

Kleinehs Hotel at 9 Pohjoisesplanadi Street, Helsinki

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#15 Mikonkatu, Helsinki

Mikonkatu, Helsinki

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#16 Northern Esplanadi, Helsinki

Northern Esplanadi, Helsinki

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#17 On a street in Helsinki, ca. 1890s

On a street in Helsinki, ca. 1890s

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#18 On the corner of Lapinlahdenkatu and Albertinkatu, Helsinki

On the corner of Lapinlahdenkatu and Albertinkatu, Helsinki

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#19 Pitkäsilta bridge from Kaisaniemi to Siltasaari, Helsinki

Pitkäsilta bridge from Kaisaniemi to Siltasaari, Helsinki

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#20 Resting in a park in Helsinki

Resting in a park in Helsinki

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#21 Simonkatu, Helsinki

Simonkatu, Helsinki

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#22 South Harbour, Helsinki

South Harbour, Helsinki

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#23 The Bank of Finland and the National Archives, Helsinki

The Bank of Finland and the National Archives, Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#24 The Market Square, Helsinki

The Market Square, Helsinki

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#25 The restaurant in Seurasaari, Helsinki

The restaurant in Seurasaari, Helsinki

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#26 The steam ship ‘Nyländska Skärgården’ outside the South harbor in Helsinki

The steam ship 'Nyländska Skärgården' outside the South harbor in Helsinki

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#27 The steamship ‘Arcturus’, South Harbor, Helsinki

The steamship 'Arcturus', South Harbor, Helsinki

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#28 Ullanlinna, Helsinki

Ullanlinna, Helsinki

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#29 Ullanlinna, Helsinki

Ullanlinna, Helsinki

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#30 Night view at the Helsinki Cathedral

Night view at the Helsinki Cathedral

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#31 A couple on a terrasse in Helsinki

A couple on a terrasse in Helsinki

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#32 Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki

Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki

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#33 The Market Square, Helsinki

The Market Square, Helsinki

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#34 Kaivopuisto (Brunnsparken)

Kaivopuisto (Brunnsparken)

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#35 Ullanlinna (Ulrikasborg), Helsinki

Ullanlinna (Ulrikasborg), Helsinki

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#36 Erottaja (Skillnaden), Helsinki. The Swedish Theater in the front.

Erottaja (Skillnaden), Helsinki. The Swedish Theater in the front.

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#37 Girl selling lottery tickets, Esplanadi Park, Helsinki

Girl selling lottery tickets, Esplanadi Park, Helsinki

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#38 Hagnäs Hallar market and Bio Hagnäs cinema to the right, Siltasaarenkatu, Helsinki

Hagnäs Hallar market and Bio Hagnäs cinema to the right, Siltasaarenkatu, Helsinki

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#39 Helsinki archipelago

Helsinki archipelago

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#40 Helsinki Zoo

Helsinki Zoo

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#41 Island Itätoukki outside Helsinki

Island Itätoukki outside Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#42 May Day celebrations in Helsinki

May Day celebrations in Helsinki

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#43 People gathering outside St Nicholas’ Church (today called Helsinki Cathedral)

People gathering outside St Nicholas' Church (today called Helsinki Cathedral)

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#44 People on a boat on Helsinki archipelago

People on a boat on Helsinki archipelago

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#45 Punavuori, Helsinki. St. John’s Church in the background

Punavuori, Helsinki. St. John's Church in the background

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#46 Roadwork, Helsinki

Roadwork, Helsinki

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#47 Seashore of Töölönlahti, Helsinki

Seashore of Töölönlahti, Helsinki

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#48 Ski jumping in Alppila, Helsinki

Ski jumping in Alppila, Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#49 Steam ship ‘Arcturus’ departure from the South Harbor in Helsinki

Steam ship 'Arcturus' departure from the South Harbor in Helsinki

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#50 Steamship ‘Oihonna’, South Harbor, Helsinki

Steamship 'Oihonna', South Harbor, Helsinki

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#51 Swimtower in Merihaka, Helsinki

Swimtower in Merihaka, Helsinki

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#52 The statue Havis Amanda at Helsinki Market Square

The statue Havis Amanda at Helsinki Market Square

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#53 The steam ship ‘Östra Skärgården’ outside the Market Square in Helsinki

The steam ship 'Östra Skärgården' outside the Market Square in Helsinki

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#54 At a swimming pool in Merihaka, Helsinki

At a swimming pool in Merihaka, Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#55 Eira/Ullanlinna (Ulrikasborg), Helsinki

Eira/Ullanlinna (Ulrikasborg), Helsinki

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#56 Kleinehs Hotel, Pohjoisesplanadi 9, Helsinki

Kleinehs Hotel, Pohjoisesplanadi 9, Helsinki

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#57 Central railway station square and the Finnish National Theater in Helsinki

Central railway station square and the Finnish National Theater in Helsinki

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Discover the Beauty and History of Helsinki in the 1890s: A Photo Tour

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#58 The steam ship “Nyländska Skärgården” outside the South harbor in Helsinki

The steam ship "Nyländska Skärgården" outside the South harbor in Helsinki

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#59 Central Railway Station in Helsinki

Central Railway Station in Helsinki

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#60 The steam ship “Östra Skärgården” outside the Market Square in Helsinki

The steam ship "Östra Skärgården" outside the Market Square in Helsinki

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#61 View over Punavuori (Rödbergen) and Ullanlinna (Ulrikasborg), Helsinki

View over Punavuori (Rödbergen) and Ullanlinna (Ulrikasborg), Helsinki

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#62 May Day celebrations in Helsinki

May Day celebrations in Helsinki

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#63 Steam ship “Arcturus” departure from the South Harbor in Helsinki

Steam ship "Arcturus" departure from the South Harbor in Helsinki

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#64 South Harbour, Helsinki

South Harbour, Helsinki

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#65 The Bank of Finland and the National Archives, Helsinki

The Bank of Finland and the National Archives, Helsinki

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#66 Girl selling lottery tickets, Esplanadi Park, Helsinki

Girl selling lottery tickets, Esplanadi Park, Helsinki

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#67 Roadwork, Helsinki

Roadwork, Helsinki

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#68 On the corner of Lapinlahdenkatu and Albertinkatu, Helsinki

On the corner of Lapinlahdenkatu and Albertinkatu, Helsinki

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#69 Bulevardi, Helsinki

Bulevardi, Helsinki

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#70 Locomotive on the Market Square, Helsinki

Locomotive on the Market Square, Helsinki

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#71 Streetview, Helsinki

Streetview, Helsinki

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#72 Mikonkatu, Helsinki

Mikonkatu, Helsinki

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#73 Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki

Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki

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#74 The Old Student house, Vanha ylioppilastalo, Helsinki

The Old Student house, Vanha ylioppilastalo, Helsinki

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#75 Northern Esplanadi, Helsinki

Northern Esplanadi, Helsinki

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#76 Huvilakatu (Villagatan), Helsinki

Huvilakatu (Villagatan), Helsinki

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#77 Simonkatu, Helsinki

Simonkatu, Helsinki

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#78 Opera Cellar restaurant in Helsinki

Opera Cellar restaurant in Helsinki

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#79 The steamship ‘Arcturus’ leaving from the South Harbor, Helsinki

The steamship 'Arcturus' leaving from the South Harbor, Helsinki

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#80 The statue “Havis Amanda” by Ville Wallgren at Helsinki Market Square

The statue "Havis Amanda" by Ville Wallgren at Helsinki Market Square

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#81 Punavuori (Rödbergen), Helsinki. St. John’s Church in the background.

Punavuori (Rödbergen), Helsinki. St. John's Church in the background.

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#82 Russian soldiers on Helsinki Senate Square

Russian soldiers on Helsinki Senate Square

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#83 Russian soldiers on Helsinki Senate Square

Russian soldiers on Helsinki Senate Square

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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