Narva’s Old Town Continues Its Renewal as Historic Helsinki Street Returns

Text Timo Raussi
Photos City of Narva Department of Development and Entrepreneurship

Narva’s Old Town is set to undergo another phase of redevelopment with the second stage of Stockholm Square. The project forms part of the long-term revitalisation of the city centre surrounding Narva Town Hall, much of which was destroyed during the Second World War, and later replaced during the Soviet-era reconstruction.

The first phase was completed in 2023, when a modern public square featuring fountains, green spaces and event areas was created next to the restored Town Hall. The second phase will extend the block towards Viru Street. Plans include a café and exhibition building, new pedestrian areas, public seating spaces and a parking area equipped with electric vehicle charging points.

Today, Narva Town Hall is home to, among other things, the city’s Tourist Information Centre and a virtual reality experience where visitors can explore Narva during Estonia’s first period of independence, complete with its historic Baroque architecture.

The extension of Stockholm Square also has a strong historical dimension and a possible connection with Finland. Before the Second World War, the nearby street was known as Helsingi tänav, or Helsinki Street. Archive researcher and respected expert on Eastern Estonia Pekka Linnainen has traced the history of the street from the mid-17th century until 1953, including in this Facebook post.

After the war, the Old Town was demolished by decision of the Soviet occupation authorities. Rather than restoring the ruins and historic street network, large numbers of austere apartment blocks were built in their place. The design of the new development seeks to respect the historic street layout and restore at least a small part of the area’s original urban structure.

However, long-standing proposals to partially reconstruct Narva’s Old Town using so-called “new old” buildings do not currently appear to be moving forward, as previously reported by Estonia’s public broadcaster.

The total budget for the Stockholm Square extension project is approximately €5.3 million, the majority of which will be financed through European Union funding. Construction is scheduled to take place during 2027–2028.

From a visitor’s perspective, Stockholm Square, along with the nearby Joaorg riverside area, is one of Narva’s main venues for public events. Around Christmas, the square hosts a Christmas market similar to those in Tallinn and Tartu for about a week. In early summer, it also serves as the main venue for Narva City Days and the city’s annual running event.

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