Fascinating Photos Show Helsinki in the early 1980s

Helsinki is the capital and leading seaport and industrial city of Finland. It lies in the far south of the country, on a peninsula fringed by fine natural harbors and protrudes into the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki has one of the world’s highest urban standards of living. It is one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Here below are some fascinating photos that show what Helsinki looked like in the early 1980s. It was a time of stability and economic growth. The standard of living kept rising in Finland, with more people getting color-TV sets and family cars plus traveling abroad.

#1 Aleksanterinkatu, the principal shopping street of central Helsinki, 1981

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#2 HM V class tramcar, working Line 2, turns from Snellmaninkatu into Aleksanterinkatu, at Senate Square, Helsinki, 1981

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#3 Kanavakatu and Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki, 1981

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#4 Kauppatori marketplace, Helsinki, 1981

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#5 Mannerheimintie, at Arkadiankatu, Helsinki, 1981

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#6 Mannerheimintie, near Postikatu, Helsinki, 1981

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#7 Merikasarminkatu, Helsinki, 1981

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#8 Pasilan asema tram stop, Helsinki, 1981

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#9 The building near left (background) is the Sokos Helsinki department store, part of a chain that has stores throughout Finland, 1981

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#10 Tramcar 41, working erstwhile Line 3T, in Eteläranta (“South Shore”) at Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu, Helsinki, 1981

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#11 View of the tramway (today’s Line 6) in Hietalahdenranta, Helsinki, 1981

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#12 Viking Line cruise ferry “Viking Saga,” Helsinki, 1981

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