Discover Art Nouveau in Helsinki: City of Nature, Myth & Granite

Did you know Helsinki has one of Europe's largest collections of Art Nouveau ("Jugendstil")?

It boasts having the most Art Nouveau/Jugend buildings in Northern Europe with over 600 buildings characterised by national romantic motifs like granite, folklore creatures, and nature-inspired designs.

This latest film by HENI Talks on Art Nouveau, explores Jugendstil – Finland’s version of Art Nouveau – a movement that turned ordinary buildings into complete works of art and helped a young nation find its voice.

Walking through Katajanokka’s castle-like apartment blocks, the Pohjola Insurance Building, studio-home Vitrésk, the National Museum, theatre and bank interiors, Kallio Church and Helsinki Central Station, we see how architects fused:
– wild Nordic nature and the Kalevala myths
– granite, wood, stained glass and mural painting
– political hope, national pride and everyday life

From stone monsters and stylised forests to towering churches and the lantern bearers of the railway station, Jugendstil in Helsinki becomes a total work of art – architecture, design and storytelling woven together.