The Good Czar

On a brilliant Sunday morning, our trip into Helsinki started at Senate Square, a public square right along several of the tram lines. The square is dominated not by a government building as the name might suggest, but by a Lutheran Cathedral atop of mountain of steps.

But in the center of the square itself is a statue to Czar Alexander II, the so-called "good czar." His image was erected in Senate Square as a protest to another czar, a wise strategy for Finland to take. How could a group express displeasure with a powerful monarchy, do so in public, and not be disciplined in any way? By building a monument to the predecessor. Apparently everyone on every side knew the intent, but the selection was perfect. No one could complain. And now Alexander II stands tall over a free Finland and its beautiful Senate Square.

More from Helsinki in the next post.