The Statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg, Helsinki, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg stands in the Esplanadi park in the centre of Helsinki, Finland. It honours Runeberg, the poet widely regarded as Finland's national poet, and it is one of the city's best-known meeting points on the green strip between the two Esplanadi streets.

The story behind it

Johan Ludvig Runeberg wrote in Swedish, yet his verse shaped how Finns picture their own country. His poem Vårt land became the words of the Finnish national anthem. The bronze statue was made by his son, the sculptor Walter Runeberg, and unveiled in the 1880s, so the poet is remembered here by his own family as well as by the nation.

The poet also lives on in the kitchen. The Runeberg torte, a small cake with almond and rum, is named after him, and it is said to have been created by his wife Fredrika, a writer in her own right. Finns traditionally eat it around the poet's birthday on 5 February, which is why bakeries fill with it each winter.

What to look for

• Look at the poet's pose and clothing on the pedestal: he is shown as a thoughtful public figure, not a soldier or a king.
• Check the pedestal for the carved name and any relief work, which gives the monument its formal character.
• Notice how the statue sits in the middle of the park, with wide lawns, trees and benches framing it, and the two Esplanadi streets running alongside.
• Glance at the nearby cafe and restaurant buildings in the park, where you can try a Runeberg torte in season.

Tips for your visit

• The statue is outdoors in a public park, so you can see it at any time and there is nothing to enter.
• Plan about 10 to 15 minutes for the statue itself, and longer if you want to sit in the park or stop for a coffee.
• Summer afternoons are lively and green, while winter visits are quieter and the park is often calm and pretty in the snow.
• The Esplanadi is a short walk from the Market Square and the main shopping streets, so it fits easily into a walk through the centre.

See it on a quest

You can reach the statue on foot as one stop of Helsinki Highlights: Gold Heist, a longer route through the centre of the city. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the monument properly instead of walking past. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.