Sederholm's House
Sederholm's house (Sederholmin talo) is the oldest stone building
in Helsinki and at the same time it is the subsidiary of the city
museum. It is situated in the very center of Helsinki, at the corner
of Senaatintori. Sederholm's house was projected by German architect
Berner and built in 1757 for the merchant Sederholm. At that time
he was a very influential person practically in all the spheres
of Helsinki life. This house became a symbol of the growing power
of Helsinki in the middle of the 18th century, just at the time
when the building of Suomenlinna fortress began. On the ground floor
of the house there were the shop and office, upstairs - Sederholm's
flat. Arched ceilings were used as a storehouse. Direct heirs of
Sederholm owned this house till 1822, after that it was sold to
other proprietors. In 1865 architect Kiselev bought Sederholm's
house. He enlarged the windows, set the balustrade and added three
more windows to the front side of the house. Later in this building
there was the tobacco factory, school for the girls, some restaurants
and a grocery. Small shops were situated downstairs. First floor
of the house was given to the holders. Kiselev family owned the
house till 1922. Twenty years later the building was sold to the
Helsinki government and reconstructed according to the needs of
the city court. Then the house was given to the City Museum. For
the audience the museum was open in 1995. It is out of the question
that you will be impressed by the original beauty of Sederholm's
house, as it was repaired without touching the inner and outer decoration.
One of the rooms upstairs was remained in the rococo style. In the
museum the tourists can see the authentic things of the merchant
way of life in the 18th century. The museum opens its doors for
the visitors at 11.00 every week from Wednesday till Sunday.
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