Eira is a

neighborhood A neighbourhood (British English, Irish English, Australian English and Canadian English) or neighborhood (American English; see spelling differences) is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town, suburb or rural area, ...

in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

History

The district dates back to the early 20th century and received its name after

Eira Hospital Eira Hospital ( fi, Eiran sairaala, sv, Eira sjukhus) is a private hospital in southern part of Helsinki, Finland. It has given its name to the adjacent Eira district of Helsinki. The architectural landmark is located at Tehtaankatu and Laivurin ...

in the neighboring district of Ullanlinna, which in turn took its name from

Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...

, which was named after Eir, the old Scandinavian goddess of healing. Helsinki Eira 1

Eira is located south from the city centre. The neighbourhood has some of the most expensive and sought-after old apartments in Helsinki, built in jugend style. Many foreign embassies and high-class

restaurant A restaurant is a business that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services. Restaurants vary greatly in appearan ...

s are situated in Eira and the neighbouring district of Kaivopuisto. Eira also appears in the movie ''

Calamari Union ''Calamari Union'' is a 1985 Finnish surreal comedy film, the second full-length film by the director Aki Kaurismäki. The film's cast includes well-known Finnish actors and rock musicians. Plot Fifteen desperate men named Frank band together to ...

'' directed by

Aki Kaurismäki Aki Olavi Kaurismäki (; born 4 April 1957) is a Finnish film director and screenwriter. He is best known for the award-winning '' Drifting Clouds'' (1996), ''The Man Without a Past'' (2002), ''Le Havre'' (2011) and ''The Other Side of Hope'' (20 ...

. In the movie the area of Eira symbolizes wealth and well-being, which the characters are trying to achieve by moving from

Kallio Kallio (; sv, Berghäll; literally " the rock") is a district and a neighbourhood in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, located on the eastern side of the Helsinki peninsula about one kilometre north from the city centre. It is one of the mo ...

to Eira.

Notable residents

* Jussi Halla-aho (born 1971), Finnish politician Eiran puisto

Diplomatic districts Neighbourhoods of Helsinki Ullanlinna district {{SouthernFinland-geo-stub