Kauppatorin

Kauppatorin is the genitive form of Kauppatori, the Market Square in Helsinki, Finland. Located at the southern edge of the city center by the South Harbour, the square has long served as a focal point for trade, public life, and transportation. The surrounding area reflects a mix of historic and modern urban design, with the market’s traditions persisting alongside contemporary amenities.

Historically, Kauppatori has hosted outdoor markets for centuries, evolving into a prominent gathering place for locals and visitors. Today, outdoor stalls on the square offer a range of goods, including fresh fish, berries, mushrooms, vegetables, flowers, and handicrafts. In winter, many stalls move indoors to nearby facilities while the adjacent Old Market Hall remains open year-round, preserving a late-19th-century market atmosphere.

A defining feature of the square is the Havis Amanda statue, a marble sculpture by Ville Vallgren that sits on a rock at its center. The statue is closely tied to Helsinki’s cultural life and May Day celebrations, when structures and crowds gather around the square. The area also serves as a transport hub, with ferries to nearby destinations such as Suomenlinna originating from or near the quay, and easy access via tram and other public transit.

Kauppatorin functions as both a tourist attraction and a daily public space. It hosts seasonal markets and events, offering a vantage point to views of the South Harbour and the surrounding waterfront, while remaining a practical access point for shopping, dining, and ferries.