Art History Walking Tours: The Observatory

The walking tour introduces visitors to the Observatory's architecture and history. The guides are art history students from the University of Helsinki.

The University of Helsinki's Observatory was completed in 1834 through the collaboration of architect C.L. Engel and professor F.W.A. Argelander. This classicist building was the most modern astronomical research institution of its time and served as a model for many other observatories. Astronomy was studied there until 2009, when the programme moved to the physics department at Kumpula.

The tour takes place on 26.8.2026 from 14:00 to 15:00. The starting point is the Observatory's main entrance at Kopernikuksentie 1. It is recommended to arrive 5-10 minutes before the start - the tour runs regardless of weather.

Participation is free and no advance registration is required. After the tour, you can independently visit the Observatory's exhibition; admission is charged, but museum cards are accepted. The tour is in Finnish and is not fully accessible - the route includes stairs, cobblestones and slopes.