Old Academy Building
Encyclopedia
The Old Academy Building is a neoclassical
building, originally consecrated in 1817 for the Royal Academy of Turku in Turku
, Finland
. It is located in Cathedral Square next to Turku Cathedral. The building was designed by Swedish architect
Carl Christoffer Gjörwell
.
Laying down the foundation stone of the Old Academy Building in 1802 was a milestone where Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf and Queen Fredrika Dorotea were present. The Old Academy Building suffered damage due to the Great Fire of Turku
in 1827. After the devastation caused by the fire, the Imperial Academy of Turku, the university at that time, moved to Helsinki
. However, the building was restored under Carl Ludvig Engel
's plans in 1830 and was signed over to the Court of Appeals of Turku, Turku cathedral chapter and the County Administrative Board. Today, the spaces are used for the Court of Appeal, with the exception of the Ceremonial Hall, which is managed by the University of Turku
where its Faculty of Humanities graduation ceremony take place. The hall is used for the two universities in Turku: the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University
. It seats 350 and is also commonly used for events such as concerts; the acoustics of the hall is superb for choirs and chamber music.
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
building, originally consecrated in 1817 for the Royal Academy of Turku in Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. It is located in Cathedral Square next to Turku Cathedral. The building was designed by Swedish architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Carl Christoffer Gjörwell
Carl Christoffer Gjörwell
Carl Christoffer Gjörwell was a city architect in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the son of Carl Christoffer Gjörwell ....
.
Laying down the foundation stone of the Old Academy Building in 1802 was a milestone where Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf and Queen Fredrika Dorotea were present. The Old Academy Building suffered damage due to the Great Fire of Turku
Great Fire of Turku
The Great Fire of Turku was a conflagration that is still the largest urban fire in the history of Finland and the Nordic countries. The fires started burning on 4 September 1827 in Burgher Hellman’s house on Aninkaistenmäki slightly before 9 p.m...
in 1827. After the devastation caused by the fire, the Imperial Academy of Turku, the university at that time, moved to Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
. However, the building was restored under Carl Ludvig Engel
Carl Ludvig Engel
Carl Ludvig Engel, or Johann Carl Ludwig Engel , was a German architect known for his neoclassical style. He had a great impact on the architecture of Finland in the first part of the 19th century....
's plans in 1830 and was signed over to the Court of Appeals of Turku, Turku cathedral chapter and the County Administrative Board. Today, the spaces are used for the Court of Appeal, with the exception of the Ceremonial Hall, which is managed by the University of Turku
University of Turku
The University of Turku , located in Turku in southwestern Finland, is the second largest university in the country as measured by student enrollment, after University of Helsinki. It was established in 1920 and also has faculties at Rauma, Pori and Salo...
where its Faculty of Humanities graduation ceremony take place. The hall is used for the two universities in Turku: the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University is a Swedish language university in Turku, Finland . , there are 7 941 students and a staff consisting of 1125 people. The university has activities not only in Turku, but also in Vaasa, Jakobstad, Helsinki and on Åland...
. It seats 350 and is also commonly used for events such as concerts; the acoustics of the hall is superb for choirs and chamber music.
External links
- Old Academy Building
- Akatemiatalo (in Finnish)
- Gamla Akademihuset (in Swedish)