Eliel Saarinen, a photo from Southern Finland, South

Photographer's Note

Eliel Saarinen

Railway Station in Helsinki (Helsingin p鳵rautatieasema).

A few weeks ago Piotr posted a photo with the sculpture group in the facade of the railway station in Helsinki.
I immediately recognized this famous work by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen.

In the preparation of the text for my previous post of the Kresge auditorium by architect Saarinen, I further explored the family ties of both architects of the same name.
Elien is the father of Eero. In 1923 the family emigrated to the USA because Elien started to make a name for himself in the USA and received a number of large assignments there. Eero was then 13 years old.
Father and son worked together a lot, but in the end the son became the more renowned of the two in the USA.

To my surprise, I discovered that several pictures of the sculpture group in the facade of the station have been placed on TE, but that there are no pictures of the station itself.
To make up for this omission I went into my archive and found 3 photos from 2011 with sufficient quality to be posted.

The station building was inaugurated in 1919. Saarinen𠏋 national-romantic design caused a huge emotional uproar among Finnish architects. Some of Saarinen colleagues considered his proposal backward-looking and insisted that as the railway station symbolised a new, modern era, the architecture should do the same. Nevertheless Helsinki Central was chosen as one of the world's most beautiful railway stations by BBC in 2013.

■ Picture 1: ◄ the West Entrance ►

■ Picture 2: ◄ Panorama View ►

■ Picture 3: ◄ the Platforms ►

The best way to view the pictures is to use the links above.

pajaran, Tue, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, Fis2, jhm, jean113, ikeharel, ktanska, sacimar, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Tue (82104) 2019-09-24 2:12

Hallo Rob,
Je vorige foto liet zien dat zoon Saarinen het modernisme wel heeft weten te omarmen in tegenstelling tot zijn vader, maar dat betekent niet dat het station van Helsinki niet een prachtig gebouw is. En gezien de rumoerige periode in Finlands geschiedenis van zo'n honderd jaar geleden, kan een beetje architectonische nationaal-romantiek hem toch wel vergeven worden. Dat de Finnen dat inmiddels wel gedaan hebben, blijkt uit het feit dat ze de parkeergarage naar hem vernoemd hebben.
Lars

Royaldevon (75240) 2019-09-24 2:42

Hello Rob,

There is such a variety of styles with regard to railway stations that I love to see and compare them.

I am surprised that there was discontent at its design for to me, it looks like art deco, perfect for the time at which it was built!
It is a very attractive building (the BBC have good taste).
This would look perfect in a Hercule Poirot episode, fitting into the right time scale.

It reminds me of an art deco clock tower situated near Victoria Coach Station in London.

I'm not sure if the green is paint or patinised copper, but it adds so much to attractive nature of the building, as to the characteristic small, many paned windows.
It's a real classic!
Your w/s reveal the size and interior of the station and in partnership with the main post, show sharp exposures and good composition.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (205491) 2019-09-24 2:48

Ciao Rob, great view of beautiful architecture, lovely composition with a lot of people, wonderful colors, excellent clarity, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ChrisJ (159862) 2019-09-24 3:01

Hallo Rob

I remember this building. I think it's where I tried to arrange a visa to St Petersburg without success. And as luck would have it the Viking boat had left the day before and there was no accommodation available in Helsinki for the next 2 days so I went to Tallinn instead. Its possible to arrange a 72 hour visa on the boat, but not if it's already left! The green patina trim contrasts well with the warmer tones of the building's stonework. Tfs!

holmertz (92724) 2019-09-24 3:20

Hello Rob,
I have seen someone on the site describing this station as ugly. I don't understand that. I was very impressed to see it with my own eyes, and these photos confirm my thoughts. There are lots of beautiful details seen here and the three photos are all neatly taken.
Best wishes,
Gert

lousat (129831) 2019-09-24 4:21

Hi Rob,i remember well the railway station from Helsinki,you're celebrating this architecht but for me this is one of the most bad buildings that i never seen..ehehe..but it's difficult to find something of beautiful in this city. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

pajaran (102460) 2019-09-24 4:28

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan tekst ...
Lepa fasada i detalji, lepa stara arhitektura.
Lepa Railway Station in Helsinki.
Dobar rad sa fotografijama u radionici, dobro uhvacen trenutak sa prolaznicima.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greeting.
Nice view and a moment, interesting text ...
Nice facade and details, nice old architecture.
Beautiful Railway Station and Helsinki.
Good work with photos in the workshop, well captured moment with passersby.
I wish you all the best.

pierrefonds (103384) 2019-09-24 4:42

Hi Rob,

The presenc eof the persons is adding life to the scene. The point of view is showing the details of the Raileay Station. The light is enhancing the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Fis2 (155425) 2019-09-24 6:37

Witaj Rob!
A very curious railway station, building mkaes impression.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
I like WS too.
Well done.
Nice afternoon.
Krzysztof

rychem (72179) 2019-09-24 8:04

A very nice presentation of this original station building, I like this architecture, very well shown in three photos
regards Ryszard

jhm (202823) 2019-09-24 8:32

Dag Rob,

Deze foto is niet zo gemakkelijk te maken.
U hebt moeten vechten tegen enerzijds licht en anderzijds het donker gedeelte.
Maar hoe dan ook u foto, is een schat waart.
Mooi gebouw geflankeerd door heel veel mensen.
Goed gedaan Rob, bedankt.

Groeten uit Vlaanderen,
John

jean113 (21941) 2019-09-24 9:02

Hello Rob, a very distinctive style; I like the panorama shot which shows us the size and scale of the station.
All three shots give us a great impression of this station.
I agree with Beverley, it is very reminiscent of Art Deco.

A very interesting note.
Regards, Jean.

ktanska (39987) 2019-09-24 10:31

Hi Rob,
I agree that railway station of Helsinki is quite impressive. And this West Entrance view is not so often shown. Excellent framing and light. And your note is very knowledgeable as usual.
I think I'll add my own version of the stone men in the near future.
Kari

Miguel82 (47106) 2019-09-24 13:58

Rob, Helsinki railway station reminds a palace with its two massive pillars around a semi lunar arch. Its clock tower adds a lot of character to the building. The crowd coming in and out of the station enliven the photo. Good framing, excellent light.

Gerrit (59968) 2019-09-24 14:16

Dag Rob,
Ik ben maar een leek maar dit doet me toch wel denken aan de Amsterdamse school en ook wel aan de beurs van Berlage. Was er uitwisseling?
Groet, Gerrit

Nicou (193806) 2019-09-24 20:28

Hello

Une bien belle gare superbe vue et captage avec la rue l𠿟nimation des personnes des v嶭icules quelle compo et cadrage et cette architecture massive ce vert des coupoles ce vitrage immense sur l'entr嶪 principale superbe
bravo et amiti�
Nicou

emka (152060) 2019-09-24 23:35

Hello Rob, Excellent presentations of this railway station in Helsinki. I like the lively atmosphere of the people around. Awesome composition. I was in Helsinki in winter so all looked rather gloomy. here it is verz colourful.

Kind regards Malgo

ifege (31987) 2019-09-24 23:39

Hi Rob
A good series of the impressive station and a good background note.
Cheers
Ian

abmdsudi (88423) 2019-09-25 9:19

Hi Rob
There's a lot of happenings there, a good many tales and a very busy visually but the green colour on top of the retro building helps to settle the eye. The overall colours is good, clarity is spot on of quite a hyperactive scene it seems. Excellent shot, Congrats
Best regards

sacimar (38171) 2019-09-26 9:12

Hello Rob,

good image of this railway station, I like the architectural style of the building and the tower we can see in the back, well seen,

Best regards,

Sergio

macjake (96151) 2019-09-26 13:21

Hi Rob
I've said it many times before, but we dont' see enough Finland photos on TE, I wonder why that is. Good for you to do some ground work and learn that the station itself has never been posted - now it has :) The front exterior reminds me of my posted shot not too long ago from the station in Barcelona, with the rounded arch. Nothing you can do about the cars in the fg, but who cares, the main focus has to be the station itself. Good to see it here. cheers
Craig

ikeharel (105793) 2019-09-28 9:37

Hello Rob,
RR station always draw much action, both inside and at its entrance.
A bright day on main picturte, enliven and vibrant, the WS's also attractive sights.
Good evening,
Ike

jmdias (102710) 2019-10-17 10:02

rob

interesting sample of architecture, the tower looks so massive and simple and beautiful. a very beautiful compo using well the shapes.

take care

jorge