Alexander's Gymnasium, a Russian high school for boys, was built in 1913. The building was constructed in the new baroque style and was so distinguished that it could have later housed a Russian university. However, Finland became independent in 1917, and all the Russian institutions were closed. The first Finnish cadet college was established in the building before it was sold to the University of Helsinki in 1923. The school became the Faculty of Zoology and the Zoological Museum -- and a new home for the giraffe.

Finnish Museum of Natural History, Helsinki
Botanical Garden, Helsinki