In the centre of the park stands Helsinki's first public monument, the statue of Finland's national poet J.L. Runeberg (1804-1877).

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It was sculpted by Ville Vallgren in 1906 in Paris, but was not erected at the Market Square until 1908. It is cast in bronze but the fountain it is in is of granite. She is a mermaid who stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions. The statue is 194 cm high and with the pedestal it stands 5 metres tall, and it symbolizes the rebirth of Helsinki.

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Market Square is located near the centre of Helsinki, and is a place where vendors sell Finnish food and souvenirs. There are also outdoor cafes around the square.

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Presidential Palace overlooks the Market Square. This is the official residence of the president of Finland. Merchant Johan Henrik Heidenstrauch built himself a residence from 1816 to 1820 designed by architect Pehr Granstedt. However, Nicholas I made it his official residence in Helsinki.

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City Hall was originally designed as a hotel. Hotel Seurahuone was designed by the German architect Carl Ludwig Engel and was completed in 1833. The first Finnish opera, King Charles' Hunt by Fredrik Pacius, was staged here in 1852, and Finland's first film showing happened in 1896. The building was refurbished in the early 1920s and was converted into the City Hall.

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