Monument to Alexander II
Unioninkatu00170 Helsinki, Suomi
Description:
Emperor Alexander II enjoyed great respect among the Finns, so after his tragic death, residents of the country began collecting money for the installation of a monument to the Emperor. Moreover, it was decided to erect a monument on the main square of Helsinki – Senate.
With this monument, the people of Finland wanted to express their respect to the emperor, who not only declared Finland an autonomous republic, but also supported Finnish culture and recognized Finnish as the state language. Work on the monument was entrusted to the sculptor Walter Runeberg, and on April 17, 1894, the birthday of Alexander II, it was opened.
The sculptor decided to perpetuate an important moment in the life of his country, which occurred thanks to the Russian emperor: Alexander II is depicted during a speech on the granting of autonomy to Finland. The monument precedes the entrance to the main Cathedral of Helsinki.