The Russians destroyed most of Helsinki during the Great Northern War in the early 1700s. Then, Finland became part of Russia nearly one hundred years later in 1812. Soon afterwards, the cathedral and several surrounding buildings were constructed including the University of Helsinki Main Building in the background. In 1894, this statue by Walter Runeberg of Alexander II was erected in the center of Senate Square (Senaatintori). He was the Emperor of Russia and Grand Duke of Finland from 1855 until his assassination in 1881. Although Alexander the Liberator did support Finland’s autonomy, it is surprising this monument remains standing after the country’s independence in 1917.
