Helsinki Market Square
In the late 1800s, Helsinki’s Market Square, known locally as Kauppatori, was a crucial hub for trade and everyday life. Located by the harbour, the square connected the city’s residents to incoming goods, particularly from the Baltic region and further afield. Local farmers and traders from the countryside would bring fresh produce, dairy, and other goods to the square, adding to the vibrant mix of items available for sale.
This area was not only a marketplace but also a meeting point for locals, fishermen, and rural traders who arrived by boat or cart to sell their goods. The square’s direct access to the sea made it an ideal location for trading, with stalls set up to offer everything from seasonal produce to handcrafted items. It was also a place where people would hear news and updates from travelers arriving by ship—a bustling communication hub of its time.
The Market Square’s prime location near the harbour continues to make it an essential part of Helsinki’s urban fabric, though its appearance and the items sold have evolved with the times.
Photo: View of Helsinki’s Market Square (Kauppatori) in the 1890s, showing market stalls, women selling goods from small boats, and people gathered by the waterfront
Original Photograph
Click image to enlarge
Digitally Restored Photograph
Click image to enlarge
Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: K. E. Ståhlberg
Year: 1890s
Link to original photo here
Copyright 2024 The Photo Record. All rights reserved. All digitally restored photographs and contents of this article may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the owner.
