STATUE OF TSAR ALEXANDER II (1818-1881) WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF HELSINKI'S DEVELOPMENT
HELSINKI IS ONLY 35 MILES FROM TALLINN.
EXCERPTED FROM MY BOOK OUR SUMMER IN ESTONIA. CLICK ON PIX OF COVER
Helsinki is a new city. New, that is, relative to most capital cities in
Europe, capitals that take such pride in celebrating their 1000th anniversary,
or having the oldest university, the oldest church or the oldest brothel,
the oldest torture chamber, or the oldest drowning well. Not Helsinki. By
comparison, it’s bran’ spankin’ new. The country of Finland was ceded to
Russia by Sweden following the 1808-1809 war. Tsar Alexander I thought the center of Finnish government in Turku was too close to Sweden and decided to relocate the capital closer to Russia. Just like that. Now that’s mega-power.
Tsar: “Oh, good morning Mr. Foreign Minister, I just heard the great news.
We’ve got Finland.”
Minister: “Yes, your Excellency. Would you like to visit your
newest addition to the Great Russian Empire?”
Tsar: “That would be nice. But I don’t want too go far. You know,
things could happen while I’m gone.”
Minister: “We could move the capital closer to Russia, that way
you only have a short boat ride.”
Tsar: “Good idea. Let’s move the capital. Let me know when it’s
done.”
So, in 1812 by decree of Tsar Alexander I, Helsinki became Finland's capital. That's more recent than Washington D.C.
