Joensuu Market Square – North Karelia, Finland

Joensuu literally means “river mouth,” and the city sits where the Pielisjoki River runs into the lake. Tsar Nicholas I founded it in 1848, when Finland was still part of the Russian Empire, and this square has been the middle of town ever since.

City Hall stands just off the square. Eliel Saarinen designed it in 1914, and if it looks familiar, that’s because he also designed Helsinki Central Station. The two buildings look a lot alike.

In summer, people come here for Karelian pies. The Martta café has been selling them on the square since 1974, served hot with egg butter, and people in Joensuu are fussy about getting them right. Winter is quieter, but the square fills up again on New Year’s Eve when fireworks go off at 6 pm.

Did You Know? The square was rebuilt in 2018, has room for 4,000 people, and has even hosted a round of the Strongman Champions League.

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