Three smiths statue

The three smiths statue is a sculpture by Felix Nylund, situated in Helsinki in the three smiths square at the crossing point of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie. This realistic statue, unveiled in 1932, depicts three smiths hammering on an anvil. The smiths are naked, which is a cause of amazement for many foreign tourists travelling to Helsinki.

The top part of the bronze statue's granite base is encircled by the Latin text MONUMENTUM – CURAVIT – LEGATUM – J. TALLBERGIANUM – PRO HELSINGFORS A.D. MCMXXII ("The statue was erected with the help of a donation from J. Tallberg by Pro Helsingfors in the year 1932"). The statue was donated to the city of Helsinki by the Pro Helsingfors foundation, which had acquired it with the help of a monetary donation by the businessman Julius Tallberg. Tallberg's commerce house is situated at the northern end of the three smiths square.

The statue was damaged in a bombing during the Continuation War in 1944. Marks of the damage can still be seen in the base of the statue, and the anvil has a hole caused by a bomb shrapnel.

The three smiths statue is a popular meeting place, the Green League has often located their election campaign quarters next to it and a Peruvian street music orchestra has performed in the area on many summers.

External links

* [http://www.taidemuseo.hel.fi/suomi/veisto/veistossivu.html?id=130&sortby=artist The three smiths statue at the site of the city of Helsinki's arts museum]
* [http://www.avoin.helsinki.fi/opetus/materiaalit/taideh/virtuaali/tavaratalo.shtml The three smiths statue at the virtual architecture walk at the Open University]