Fire at the Swedish Theatre in Turku
In 1881, a devastating fire broke out at Åbo Svenska Teater in Turku, causing extensive damage to the historic building. The entire interior was destroyed, and parts of the courtyard-facing walls collapsed. This incident nearly ended the building's function as a theater. Architect C.J. von Heideken was commissioned to design the reconstruction, and the theater reopened in late 1882.
Thick smoke and flames rise from the theater, while a crowd gathers in the snow-covered Market Square. Horse-drawn carts fill the right side of the image, likely part of the daily market. The long exposure blurs some of the pedestrians walking along the street.
Original Photograph
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Digitally Restored Photograph
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A current view of the theatre, courtesy of Google Street View, here.
Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: O. J. Aune
Year: 1881
Link to original photo here
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