Art Noveau Finnish style

Like all European countries Finland enthusiastically embraced Art Noveau but added its own very distinctive style. Under Russian rule at the time, Finnish nationalism was on the rise and with it a resistance to foreign rule. Architecture became one of the more subtle expressions of this rebellion and in particular the fashionable Art Noveau style that was sweeping Europe. However, the flamboyant style from Belgians was too much for the more restrained Finns and they created their own version know locally as National Romanticism.

Along with Art Noveau, Finns were also much taken with the Scottish Baronial style of the time and National Romanticism was a curious blend of flowery Art Noveau, Scottish dourness and Finnish Reserve.  The result was a solid monumental buildings with strong Finnish motifs of animals, plants and folkloric characters.