Monday, August 4, 2014

Philatelic Photograph: House of the Estates - Helsinki, Finland

House of the Estates
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.274; E024° 57.215

Short Description: 

The House of the Estates is one block north of the east side of Senate Square at Snellmaninkatu 1 in Helsinki, Finland



Long Description:

The House of the Estates is a Neo-Renaissance building designed Architect Karl Gustaf Nyström. It was constructed between 1888 and 1890. From January 1891, it housed the three commoner estates of the four estates of the realm of Finland. In 1906, the estates were abolished and a parliament was formed, the forerunner of today's unicameral parliament of Finland.

The building resembles a Greek temple with a colonnade of Corinthian columns with gilded capitals supporting a tympanum. The tympanum was sculpted in bronze by Emil Wikström in 1903. The central figure is of Tsar Alexander I, who confirmed by the Finnish laws and rights.

After the parliament moved to larger quarters, the building was known as the Federation house. It held 65 offices and a library. Currently, the House hosts various events. It is used for the Government and other central state administration meetings and entertainment events. The building is also used for scientific societies events.

The stamp was issued by Finland on September 18, 1963 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Representative Assembly of Finland.

No comments:

Post a Comment