Although the city of Helsinki was founded amid Europe’s Early Modern Period, people have lived in the greater Uusimaa region for many generations. Archeological research has shown that the area was populated by dozens of historic bucolic settlements, the most ancient of which dates back to the Iron Age. Modern scholars cite the presence of a rich seafaring trade network as the primary incentive for settling the location, with countless ships crossing the neighboring Gulf of Finland to reach markets further south along the Baltic Sea. Many distinctive goods left those quaint Finnish ports, most notably timber and agricultural products. Over time though, the Finns gradually directed their trading toward the affluent Estonian metropolis of Tallinn. A member of the prosperous medieval guild known as the “Hanseatic League,” Tallinn had emerged as one of the continent’s most principal economic centers by the height of the Middle Ages. Great wealth flowed into the city in turn, enabling its civic leaders to finance gorgeous building projects that majestically transformed its expansive skyline. Seeking to replicate that lucrative business activity, the Swedish monarchy, which then ruled over Finland, decided to develop a rival seaport that could match Tallinn in both prosperity and prestige. Then, King Gustav I of Sweden enacted the plan during the 16th century, specifically commissioning the creation of the first municipal structures in 1550.  

The king subsequently ordered the merchant classes from nearby villages to populate the settlement, which soon came to bear the name “Helsinki.” However, Helsinki’s location near the mouth of the Vantaa River prevented its residents from creating the deepwater port that was necessary to conduct maritime commerce. Helsinki failed to grow any further as a result, remaining small in stature for the next several decades. Recognizing the hopelessness of the situation, a noblemen named Per Brahe the Younger eventually coordinated the rebuilding of Helsinki’s downtown core a few miles away on the more accessible Helsinginniemi peninsula in 1640. Now possessing an actual harbor, Helsinki finally managed to entertain mercantile vessels in substantial numbers. But this newfound prosperity made the city a significant target, prompting the Swedish government to erect a notable series of naval fortifications around the beginning of the 18th century. Centered on an island just off the coast of Helsinki, the new, massive Suomenlinna citadel did much to safeguard the local shipping lanes upon its completion. Nevertheless, Helsinki and the rest of Finland were absorbed into the greater Russian Empire following the defeat of Sweden during the Napoleonic Wars. As the largest city in the country at the time, the Russians proceeded to make Helsinki the capital of their nascent “Duchy of Finland” territory.  

The designation bore considerable consequences for the community, as the political patronage spurred widespread industrialization throughout much of the 19th century. Helsinki also saw its infrastructure modernized, while numerous towering administrative and military complexes made their debut. The proliferation of such construction gradually transformed the city’s appearance, rendering it as one of the most beautiful in all Europe. Russian rule itself eventually ended amid World War I, with the Finnish proclaiming their independence as a sovereign people in 1917. Helsinki emerged as the national capital for an independent Finland soon thereafter—a title that it has since maintained in the present. Helsinki today continues to be the most culturally important city throughout Finland, serving as host to many prominent Finnish educational, financial, and political institutions. But the city has also developed a thriving tourism industry, as thousands of contemporary international travelers have visited regularly to discover its fascinating heritage. In fact, the destination is home to many fascinating cultural heritage sites, such as the Helsinki Cathedral, Senate Square, the Helsinki Olympic Stadium—site of the 1952 Summer Olympics—Old Market Hall, and the UNESCO-recognized Suomenlinna fortress. Few places in Europe are truly better for a memorable vacation experience than the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

While the buildings that constitute The Hotel Maria today highlight a variety of architectural styles, the most prominent is Classical Revival. Also known as “Neoclassical,” Classical Revival architecture itself is among the most common architectural forms seen throughout the world today. This wonderful architectural style first became popular in Paris, specifically among French architectural students who had studied in Rome during the late 18th century. Upon their return home, the architects began emulating aspects of earlier Baroque aesthetics into their own designs before finally settling on Greco-Roman examples. Over time, the embrace of Greco-Roman architectural themes spread across the globe, reaching destinations like Germany, Spain, and Great Britain. As with the equally popular Revivalist styles of the same period, Classical Revival architecture found an audience for its more formal nature. It specifically relied on stylistic design elements that incorporated components like the symmetrical placement of doors and windows, as well as a front porch crowned with a classical pediment. Architects would also install a rounded front portico that possessed a balustraded flat roof. Pilasters and other sculptured ornamentations proliferated across the façade of the building, too. The most striking feature of buildings designed with Classical Revival-style architecture were massive columns that displayed some combination of Corinthian, Doric, or Ionic capitals. With its Greco-Roman temple-like form, Classical Revival-style architecture was considered most appropriate for municipal buildings like courthouses, libraries, and schools. But the form found its way into more commercial uses, including banks, department stores, and hotels. Examples of the form can be found throughout many major cities, including London, Paris, and New York City. Architects even rely on Classic Revival architecture today, highlighting its continued status as one of the world’s most ubiquitous architectural styles.