Alexandra, the beloved Russian empress of the Finns and patroness of Helsinki, left a significant mark on the city's history. On the waterfront of Helsinki stands a granite stele, erected in honor of Alexandra Fyodorovna's first visit to Finland, where she first set foot on Finnish soil. Although there are many monuments to the Romanovs in Finland, the Finns have a special regard for Alexandra. What did she do to deserve such love and remembrance?

Until 1809, Finland was part of Sweden, but after the European conflicts of the 18th century, Sweden ceded the Grand Duchy of Finland to the Russian Empire. In 1812, Alexander I moved the capital of the duchy to Helsingfors, which later became Helsinki, and the city began to develop actively.

Russian Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna, wife of Nicholas I, played an important role in the development of Finland and the architectural appearance of Helsinki. She was the patroness of the city, and the Finns held her in great esteem. The chief architect of Helsinki was Carl Ludwig Engel, who built up the central part of the city in a classical style reminiscent of the streets of St. Petersburg. Senate Square, the Cathedral, and other architectural masterpieces owe their existence to the Russian period in Finland's history. Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna actively participated in creating the historical appearance of the Finnish capital, and the buildings from that time are still a source of pride for Helsinki.

Alexandra Fyodorovna took the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland under her patronage, and her first visit to Finland took place in 1833. In 1835, a commemorative granite stele with a double-headed eagle on a gilded sphere was erected on the waterfront where she disembarked. After Finland gained independence, the eagle was removed, but in 1972, the monument was restored to its original form in honor of the beloved Russian empress.