UNIVERSITY
The
University of Helsinki is the oldest,
largest, and most important university in Finland. It was originally established
in Turku, but moved to Helsinki by order of Czar Nicholas I after the Great Fire
of Turku in 1827. At the same time the name of the university was changed into
The Imperial Alexander University of Finland.Designed by C.
L. Engel, the University Main Building was completed in 1832. It
is situated on the Senate
Square opposite the Council of State (formerly the Senate
Building). Its Ionic columns give it a touch of Greek architecture.
The enlargement of the building was based on J. S. Sirén's
proposal and completed in 1937.The University of Helsinki has smoothly
transformed itself over the years to correspond to the needs of a young
civilized nation. In 1828 the university had 339 students; in 1910 the number
was 2,610. Today the student enrolment is close to 30,000. There are over a
thousand foreign students (though few actually registered for a degree), and
over two thousand teachers and researchers in nine different faculties. In 1872
the first female student entered the university, and today
women
are in the majority: 60 % of all students.
As the
university has grown, it has spread itself all over Helsinki, but the central
campus is still located next to the Senate
Square around Yliopistonkatu and Fabianinkatu. In addition to the
University Main Building, the
University Library (1840),sometimes
said to be Engel's most magnificent building, is well worth visiting. In
addition, you can find an open-air sculpture by Eduardo Chillida (1992) in front
of the Porthania university building on Yliopistonkatu.Guided tours in
the University Main Bulding are arranged by Guide Booking Centre (400 marks a
group for one hour). Call 2288 1200 (Helsinki Expert).
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