The Royal Academy of Turku was established in 1640. When the institution moved to Helsinki in 1827, it became the Imperial Alexander University of Finland. Five years later, they moved into this newly constructed, Neoclassical building. The University of Helsinki Main Building was destroyed during air raids in 1944 and refurbished in 1948. On the opposite side of Senate Square is an almost identical structure. Senaatintalo has housed Finland’s Senate after opening in 1822. Today, the Government Palace is the office for the prime minister and Ministry of Finance.
