The oldest section of the Kuopio Lyseo school building celebrates its 200th anniversary

21.10.2026
News
Kuopion Lyseon julkisivu on valaistu iltahämärässä violetin ja sinisen sävyillä. Rakennuksen keskellä näkyy valaistu Kuopion Lyseo -teksti.

The oldest section of the school building on Kauppakatu Street, designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel, was completed in 1826. The anniversary year will be celebrated at Kuopio Lyseo with, among other things, special architectural lighting for the building and Lyseo Day activities for students.

The original central section, completed in 1826, was built as a memorial and gift commemorating the visit of Russian Emperor Alexander I to Kuopio in 1819. The building first housed Kuopio’s trivial school and later served as a grammar school and lyceum. Although the school has been expanded several times, in 1875, 1888, 1915 and 1940, its façade has remained almost unchanged.

Generations of young people have studied within these 200 year old walls. Education began in the building 200 years ago and has continued there virtually uninterrupted ever since.

Several well-known Finns are also connected to the history of Lyseo. Among those who studied at Lyseo are former president Martti Ahtisaari, author Juhani Aho, opera singer Johanna Rusanen, journalist and writer Elina Lappalainen and former prime minister and politician Paavo Lipponen.

In its anniversary year Lyseo is also looking to the future

On Lyseo Day students will take part in workshops centered on community spirit, the history of Lyseo, and sustainable development. Activities include creating posters about the school’s history, knitting a chain of leaves for the apple tree in the inner courtyard and designing a custom sticker for Lyseo.

The theme of sustainable development is a natural fit for a 200 year old school building. The building was originally designed as a school, and it continues to serve that purpose today.

Lyseo’s main façade will be illuminated in celebration of the anniversary on 19-23 October. The decorative lighting will be on from Monday to Friday between 5 and 11 pm.

Lyseo Day will be celebrated on Friday, 23 October 2026. The day’s program is intended for Lyseo students.