Aleksanterin teatteri, Helsinki Travel Guide

Aleksanterin Teatteri, located on Bulevardi in Helsinki, is a theatre with a rich history and cultural significance. Constructed between 1875 and 1879, it was commissioned by Count Nikolai Adlerberg, the Governor-General of Russian Finland, as a venue for the Russian theatre. The building was named after Emperor Alexander II.The theatre's architecture, designed by Colonel Pjotr Petrovitš Benard, blends Russian and Finnish influences. The auditorium, decorated by Jeronim Osuhovsky from Saint Petersburg, features ceiling paintings by Finnish artist Severin Falkman, reminiscent of the Mariinsky Theatre.After Finland's independence in 1918, the Finnish National Opera and Ballet found a home in Aleksanterin Teatteri, remaining there until 1993 when they moved to a new opera house. Today, the theatre hosts a variety of performances, including theatre, dance, and musical events, and serves as a venue for international guest performances. Aleksanterin Teatteri is also rumored to be haunted by the ghost of an officer.