The Stone of the Empress
Erected in 1835, Keisarinnankivi—or the “Empress’s Stone”—stands in Helsinki’s Market Square (Kauppatori) as a monument to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia. It commemorates her arrival with Emperor Nicholas I in 1833, marking the first time a Russian imperial couple had visited Finland. The granite obelisk, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, is topped with a gilded bronze globe and double-headed eagle—the symbol of Imperial Russia.
In the background of this photograph is the Uspenski Cathedral, completed decades later in 1868. The cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, a reminder of Finland’s status as an autonomous Grand Duchy under Russian rule during this period.
Though the double-headed eagle was removed after Finland gained independence in 1917, it was restored in 1971.
Original Photograph
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Digitally Restored Photograph
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Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: Daniel Nyblin
Year: 1890-1899
Link to original photo here
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