VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
The House of the Estates, built from 1888 to 1890 after the design by architect Gustaf Nyström, is situated in the centre of Helsinki, close to Senate Square. Since January 1891, three common estates used the building as a venue for meetings during the Assembly of the Representatives of the Estate.
In 1903, sculptor Emil Wikström decorated the building's fronton with a bronze sculptural group depicting Russian Emperor Alexander I confirming the laws and national rights of Finland.
In the monumental entrance hall, there stands a replica of Walter Runeberg's allegoristic sculpture "The Law", the original of which is located in the pedestal of the statue of Alexander II in Senate Square.
The estates used to meet in the assembly halls on the first floor. After the enactment of a single chamber parliament in 1907, the House of the Estates could not accommodate the 200 representatives of the Parliament. Meetings of parliamentary committees were still held in the building, which also housed the Library of Parliament until the new parliament building was completed in 1931. After that, the building was given for use by scientific and scholarly organisations.
In 1978, the building was transferred to the State Council. From 1988 to 1993, it was thoroughly renovated by architect Vilhelm Helander.
Today, the House of the Estates serves as a Government reception hall.
The former Assembly Hall of the Estate of Burgesses is now the Banqueting Room. The Assembly Hall of the Peasantry has been converted to the Lecture Room, and the former Hall of the Clergy is now a room for news conferences.
The old furniture in the house was renovated and brought into use.
