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1625-26. Door of Pohjola Insurance Building at 44 Aleksanterinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015Similar picturesLarge thumbnails | Use small thumbnails | View as slideshow |
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1625-26. Door of Pohjola Insurance Building at 44 Aleksanterinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015Similar picturesLarge thumbnails | Use small thumbnails | View as slideshow |
 Gnomes of Pohjola Insurance Building at 44 Aleksanterinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Pohjola Insurance Building (1901) at 44 Aleksanterinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Wooden door of Antelope Quarter on Aleksanterinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Aleksi 13 department store on Aleksanterinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Entrance of Aleksi 13 department store on Aleksanterinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Gronqvist House (1883) (Ilmarinen insurance company) on Fabianinkatu Street. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Corner of Gronqvist House (1883) (Ilmarinen insurance company). Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Main University Building on Senate Square. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Interior of Helsinki Cathedral (St. Nicholas Church). Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Helsinki Cathedral (St. Nicholas Church) (1826) on Senate Square. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Colonnade of Helsinki Cathedral (St. Nicholas Church) on Senate Square. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  National Museum of Finland from Mannerheimintie Road. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Back entrance of National Museum of Finland from Mannerheimintie Road. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Statue of Alexander II on Senate Square. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Fountain of Konstantin Kiselev Farmstead west from Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Alvar Aalto Museum (former family house). Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Main entrance of Central Railway Station. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Vittrask Lake from a hill near Hvittrask Museum. West from Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma (built 1993 - 1998). Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Presidential Palace (1845), a former residence of a Russian Tsar. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Blooming stonecrop (Sedum) on granite outcrops on Mannerheimintie Road. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Left side of the main entrance of Central Railway Station. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Rocky hill from a road descending from Hvittrask Museum to a lake. West from Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Statue of Aleksis Kivi and Finnish National Theatre (1872) from Railway Square. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  A room in Hvittrask Museum (studio home of the architecture firm Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen). West from Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Pair of statues holding spherical lamps on right side of the main entrance of Central Railway Station. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Wooden log walls of Hvittrask Museum (studio home of the architecture firm Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen). West from Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Living room in Hvittrask Museum (studio home of the architecture firm Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen). West from Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Domed hall in Hvittrask Museum (studio home of the architecture firm Gesellius, Lindgren, and Saarinen). West from Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Central Railway Station from Railway Square. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  Statue of Aleksis Kivi and Central Railway Station from Railway Square. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015  View of area of Nuottaniemi and Highway 51 near Helsinki from a window of a plane from Tallinn to Helsinki. Finland, August 15, 2024  Highway 51 and Sport Arena in Lansikorkee area of Helsinki from a window of a plane from Tallinn to Helsinki. Finland, August 15, 2024  This aerial view, captured on the approach to Helsinki (arriving from the west/southwest towards Helsinki-Vantaa Airport), showcases the stunningly fragmented coastline of the Finnish capital. The Archipelago: The image perfectly illustrates why Helsinki is known as the "Daughter of the Baltic." The coastline is a complex maze of peninsulas, bays, and islands. Western Suburbs: The dense urban areas visible are likely the western districts of Espoo (Finland s second-largest city, part of the capital region) and western Helsinki. Specifically, the large island connected by bridges in the center-left is likely Lauttasaari (Drumso), a major residential island district. To its left, the distinctive curved coastline of Keilaniemi and West Harbour (La"nsisatama) areas might be visible. The landscape is dotted with significant green spaces and forested islands, characteristic of the Helsinki metropolitan area where nature is never far from the urban core. View from a window of an airplane from Tallinn to Helsinki, Finland, October 17, 2025  A quiet, atmospheric section of Pikk Street (near Pikk 5 and 7), one of the oldest and most important commercial streets in medieval Tallinn. Veta Fashion (Pikk 6/8): On the left, the brightly lit shop window belongs to Veta, a well-known Estonian brand specializing in knitwear and linen clothing. The building itself features a classic stucco fac,ade with large display windows that invite passersby to look in. On the right, the building with the blue-and-red wooden door (Pikk 5) is home to the Noku Klubi, a somewhat "secret" bohemian cultural club and restaurant located on the upper floor. The heavy, colorful door is a distinctive landmark for locals knowing where to find this hidden gem. Further up on the right, the red brick building with Gothic-style pointed arches stands out against the plastered facades, adding texture and historical depth to the streetscape. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Brown cat stretched at door threshold on Al Maymoun Street in Musheirib (Msheireb) area. Doha, Qatar, July 31, 2015  Gulf of Finland from a plane from Saint Petersburg to Helsinki. December 23, 2002.  Gulf of Finland from a plane from Saint Petersburg to Helsinki. December 23, 2002.  This aerial view captures the Tapiola district in Espoo, Finland, just west of Helsinki. Known as a "garden city," Tapiola is famous for its unique urban planning that blends modern architecture with extensive green spaces. Central Basin (Keskusallas): The large body of water in the left-center is the artificial pool or basin at the heart of Tapiola s center. It is surrounded by key landmarks like the Espoo Cultural Centre and the iconic Tapiola Garden Hotel. The image clearly shows the "garden city" concept in action: high-rise apartment blocks (typically white) are scattered amongst dense patches of forest and parks, rather than being packed into tight grids. In the foreground (bottom left), the coastline features marinas and residential areas, likely parts of the affluent Westend or Haukilahti neighborhoods, known for their seaside location. The major road running horizontally through the upper middle is likely La"nsiva"yla" (Western Highway), the main artery connecting Espoo to Helsinki city center (which would be to the right/east). View from a window of an airplane from Tallinn to Helsinki, Finland, October 17, 2025  Market Rear Street in East End Historic District, with ANICO (American National Insurance Company) Tower in foreground, from a corner of 14th Street. Galveston, Texas, January 1, 2011  Decorated cast iron door at Umm Wishad Street in Musheirib (Msheireb) area. Doha, Qatar, August 14, 2015  Feral cat sitting at a door near Abdullah Bin Thani Street in Musheirib (Msheireb) area. Doha, Qatar, August 14, 2015  Bank of Finland (Suomen Pankki) office building built in 1915 by architect Uno Werner Ullberg, now National Bank of the Republic of Karelia. Sortavala (Karelia), Russia, September 19, 2015  Va"ike-Karja Street (Va"ike-Karja ta"nav), likely taken near its intersection with Suur-Karja Street. The building on the right with the large grey stone archway and iron gates corresponds to Va"ike-Karja 1 (also known as the Saarinen House), a prominent Art Nouveau building designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. The street features a mix of architectural styles. The grey stone building on the right is a notable example of early 20th-century national romanticism. Further down the street, you can see pastel-colored facades typical of Tallinn s Old Town. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Postoffice Street in East End Historic District, with ANICO (American National Insurance Company) Tower in foreground. Galveston, Texas, January 1, 2011  A weathered stone portal and wooden door at Sauna Street 2 (Sauna 2), in the heart of Tallinn s nightlife district. The arched doorway features a rustic, heavy limestone surround with a prominent keystone. This style is typical of the less ornate, utilitarian medieval architecture found in the Old Town s side streets. The panelled wooden door is heavily distressed, covered in layers of graffiti tags in various colors (silver, red, black). The tags cover nearly every inch, including the panels and the frame, obscuring the original wood finish. The heavy graffiti on this specific door is a hallmark of the area around Sauna Street and Va"ike-Karja, which transforms into a bustling party zone at night. While the historic architecture remains, the street level often bears the marks of the active nightlife scene, creating a gritty contrast between the medieval heritage and modern urban culture. This door is likely a side entrance or utility access for one of the nearby venues like Frank or Sigmund Freud Bar. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Door of Administration Building on campus of Texas A and M University at morning. College Station, Texas, February 6, 2008  Entrance door of Animal Industries Building on campus of Texas A and M University. College Station, Texas, January 5, 2009  Old railroad service building at 3 Vtoraya Pristanskaya Street. Sortavala (Karelia), Russia, September 19, 2015  High rise building along Majlis Al Taawon Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, March 3, 2015  Wrigley Building and Equitable Building on North Michigan Street, view from Wacker Drive, Chicago, October 12, 1999.  A perspective of Rataskaevu Street, looking up the gentle slope towards the intersection with Niguliste Street. The building on the right with the striking yellow and grey modern facade and large arched window is home to Casa Alta, an Italian restaurant. The architecture of this building stands out for its postmodern interpretation of the gabled roofline, contrasting with the older structures nearby. The pinkish-red building on the left side of the street (Rataskaevu 6) is a historic property. It currently houses Restoran O~ (or a similar establishment depending on recent changes), known for its fine dining in a medieval setting. Further down on the left, you can see signs for other venues like De 6 and Vana Tallinn. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  A door at 612 Dauphine Street near Toulouse Street in French Quarter. New Orleans, Louisiana, June 1, 2006  A weathered door at 3929 Royal Street near Bartholomew Street in Bywater. New Orleans, Louisiana, June 25, 2006  Iron door decorated with peacocks at Al Jassasiya Street near crossing with Al Asmakh Street, Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2013  An American flag on a door at Dauphine Street near Saint Philip Street in French Quarter. New Orleans, Louisiana, June 1, 2006  A detailed look at the suburban landscape of Tikkurila, the administrative center of Vantaa, located just north of Helsinki. Kerava River (Keravanjoki): The winding river cutting through the landscape is the Kerava River, a tributary of the Vantaa River. It flows past residential areas and parks, offering a scenic green belt through the suburbs. The denser cluster of buildings in the center-right is the heart of Tikkurila (Dickursby). This area is a major transport hub, home to the Tikkurila railway station (a key stop for airport trains) and the Heureka Science Centre (likely one of the larger modern structures near the river). Suburban Fabric: The image showcases a mix of housing types typical of the Helsinki metropolitan area: detached houses with large gardens in the foreground and denser apartment blocks closer to the Tikkurila center. The presence of a sports field with a running track (red oval, left side) highlights the community-focused planning. Rural-Urban Edge: The top and left portions of the image show open fields and farmland, illustrating how abruptly the urban area transitions into the countryside in this region. This area is minutes away from landing at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, making it a common sight for travelers. View from a window of an airplane from Tallinn to Helsinki, Finland, October 17, 2025  Postoffice Street in East End Historic District, with Rudolph Kruger House (1888) in foreground and ANICO (American National Insurance Company) Tower in foreground. Galveston, Texas, January 1, 2011  A door near Orlando s Society Page Lounge on North Rampart Street near Toulouse Street in French Quarter. New Orleans, Louisiana, September 24, 2006  White kitten at the entrance of Old QTel Building on campus of Education City. Doha, Qatar, July 29, 2015  Calico cat sleeping at the entrance of Old QTel Building on campus of Education City. Doha, Qatar, July 28, 2015  Calico cat relaxed at the entrance of Old QTel Building on campus of Education City. Doha, Qatar, July 29, 2015  Kitten resting at the entrance of Old QTel Building on campus of Education City. Doha, Qatar, July 29, 2015  Calico cat resting at the entrance of Old QTel Building on campus of Education City. Doha, Qatar, July 29, 2015  Gulf of Finland in Sestroretsk, with Kotlin Island on the horizon. A tall building is Maritime Cathedral in Kronstadt. Near Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 1, 2001  Rataskaevu Street (Rataskaevu ta"nav) in Tallinn s Old Town. The focal point in the small square is the famous Cat s Well (Rataskaevu), which gave the street its name. According to local legend, a water spirit lived in the well, and the townspeople would sacrifice stray cats into it to prevent the wells from running dry. The yellow building on the left (Rataskaevu 7) houses the St. Petersbourg Hotel. It is the oldest operating hotel in Tallinn, originally opened in 1850 and located in a 15th-century building that was once a Russian merchant s home. Opposite the well (out of frame to the right, but significant to the street s lore) is the building at Rataskaevu 16, famously known as the site of "The Devil s Wedding." Legend says the devil held a party in the upper room of this house, and to this day, there is a painted "false window" on the facade to block the view into that haunted room. The building now houses a very popular restaurant of the same name. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Brick building of City Hall (1915) at 600 Railroad Street in Calvert. Texas, July 24, 2022  Calico cat cooling its body at the entrance of Old QTel Building on campus of Education City. Doha, Qatar, July 29, 2015  A section of Uus Street (New Street), a quieter and historically significant lane on the eastern edge of Tallinn s Old Town. The sign on the right marks the entrance to the Haus Gallery (Uus 17). Founded in 1997, it is one of the oldest and most respected private art galleries in Estonia, known for exhibiting both classic and contemporary Estonian art. The gallery is located in a historic building with a large courtyard often used for events. Just beyond the gallery, the flag hanging from the building (Uus 15) is the tricolor of Lithuania, identifying the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania. This establishes the street as a diplomatic quarter as well. The image starkly contrasts the well-maintained facades of the embassy and gallery on the right with the heavily graffitied and peeling wall of the yellow building on the left (likely the rear or side of a building facing the parallel Sulevima"gi street). This juxtaposition highlights the ongoing struggle with tagging in less-monitored corners of the Old Town. Uus Street runs parallel to the old city wall (parts of which are visible nearby). Historically, it was developed later than the central merchant streets (hence "New Street"), originally serving as a defensive zone before being built up with residential houses for craftsmen and lesser merchants. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  A wooden double door set within a limestone portal at approximately Pikk 67 in Tallinn s Old Town. The door is framed by a round-arched limestone portal, a common feature in Tallinn s medieval Hanseatic architecture. The rough-hewn stone blocks (voussoirs) forming the arch are clearly visible where the plaster has fallen away, revealing the underlying construction technique. The surrounding wall features peeling stucco in shades of ochre and grey, exposing the limestone masonry beneath. This texture speaks to the building s age and the ongoing challenge of maintaining historic structures in the local climate. The door itself is made of diagonal wooden planks, a traditional style for utility or courtyard entrances in the Old Town. It appears to be a secondary entrance rather than a main portal for a wealthy merchant s house. The juxtaposition of the medieval stone arch with modern urban graffiti creates a stark contrast between the city s protected history and contemporary urban challenges. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  A striking architectural contrast on Sauna Street (Sauna ta"nav), near the intersection with Va"ike-Karja Street. On the left, a modern glass-and-steel building features large display windows and industrial-style staircases, illuminated by neon lights. This building is part of the Helios Hall complex (formerly the Helios Cinema), which has been repurposed as an event venue and art space. The transparent facade allows a view into the contemporary interior, contrasting sharply with the solid, historic walls of the Old Town. On the right, the corner of an older, plastered building (Sauna 12) is covered in colorful, abstract graffiti. This gritty, urban element acts as a foil to the clean lines and slick surfaces of the modern building opposite it, highlighting the eclectic mix of styles in this part of the city. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  The lower end of Pikk Street, looking back up towards the Town Hall spire. It captures a charming intersection where the street forks. Corner Building (Pikk 12 / Kinga 10): The centerpiece of the image is the distinctive corner building with a mansard roof and red tiles. It houses another branch of the Veta linen and knitwear shop. The building s shape is triangular, adapting to the acute angle where Pikk and Kinga streets meet. Its architecture is a mix of styles, with a portal that hints at older origins but a roofline that suggests 19th or early 20th-century modification. In the distance to the left, you can clearly see the illuminated spire of the Tallinn Town Hall rising above the rooftops, serving as a navigation point for anyone walking up Pikk Street. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Old Passenger Terminal of Tallinn Airport. Built between 1945 and 1954 (opened in 1955), this building is a classic example of Stalinist architecture. Its symmetrical facade, rusticated ground floor, and the distinctive control tower with a viewing gallery reflect the monumental style favored in the Soviet Union during that period. An earlier Art Deco/Functionalist terminal was designed in 1938 by the architect Arthur Ju"rvetson, but construction was halted by World War II. The post-war redesign incorporated the Soviet aesthetic. This building served as the main passenger terminal until 1980, when a new, larger terminal (the current one) was built for the Moscow Olympics sailing regatta held in Tallinn. Today, this historic building has been repurposed for VIP services and administrative offices. It stands separately from the modern glass-and-steel terminal but remains an integral part of the airport s history, visible to passengers taxiing on the runway. View from a window of an airplane from Tallinn to Helsinki. Estonia, October 17, 2025  This close-up view of the GAZ-51 truck highlights its surreal juxtaposition against the classic architecture of Tallinn s Old Town. The blue cabin is heavily weathered, with rust eating through the paint and missing headlights, emphasizing its status as a ruin or relic. The large green industrial mechanism mounted on the back--resembling a boom or auger--dominates the frame, extending horizontally like a cannon barrel. Distinct graffiti tags (like "WEK") on the door add a layer of contemporary urban decay, contrasting with the historic setting. Directly behind the truck, across the street, is a building housing a Bu"roomaailm (Office World) store. The truck sits on a grassy slope, part of the Harju Street Green Area, which covers the ruins of buildings destroyed in 1944. The contrast between the lush green grass, the rusting Soviet metal, and the maintained city street captures the eclectic spirit of this specific corner of Tallinn. Estonia, October 16, 2025  Iron door on Al Jassasiya Street in Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2014  Old wooden door on Al Maymoun Street in Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2014  Decorated door at 63 Galernaya Street. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 6, 2007  Door frame in a village of Al Jumail (Jumayl) west of Ruwais. Northern Qatar, June 26, 2015  Decorations over a door at Al Jassasiya Street, Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, April 27, 2013 |
