Aleksanterinkatu

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Aleksanterinkatu (Swedish Alexandersgatan) is famous street in the centre of Helsinki, Finland.

The street begins near the Presidential Palace and continues to meet with Mannerheimintie, the longest street in Helsinki. It runs past several famous buildings, such as Ritarihuone (the former seat of Finland's nobility), the Helsinki Cathedral, the Finnish main office of the Nordea bank, the main building of the University of Helsinki, and the Stockmann department store.

The street, colloquially known in Helsinki as "Aleksi", is named after the czar Alexander I of Russia. It was originally named Suurkatu (Swedish Storgatan), meaning "large street", but was renamed after the czar's death in his honour. The streets crossing Aleksanterinkatu are named after the czar's mother, his brothers, and his sisters.

At Christmas time, Aleksanterinkatu is traditionally decorated with elaborate Christmas lights.

The tram lines 3T, 4 and 7A run along Aleksanterinkatu. Of these, 4 is the only line that runs along the street's entire length.

Aleksanterinkatu is also the main street of another Finnish city, Lahti. There's also an Aleksanterinkatu in Oulu, which is a major street.

[edit] Sources

• Helsinki city museum FAQ page (in Finnish)