The most beautiful religious buildings Southern Finland Province

A monument created as part of "Helsinki World Design Capital 2012", by architects K2S Oy, representing Finnish innovation in wood construction. Located opposite the Kamppi shopping center, this chapel offers a striking space for meditation in a district teeming with life and activity. The special light that bathes this space contributes to the charm of the site. The ideal place to take a break.

Built in 1868, the Orthodox rite cathedral is a superb example of the Byzantine-Slavic style. From the esplanade, the view is breathtaking. It was built according to the plans of the architect A.M. Gornoschtaev. At the time, two distinct notables' cultures coexisted: Swedish-speaking Finns and Russian notables. As for the Finnish-speaking population, which was the majority, it gradually imposed its views at the end of the 19th century. It remains the most important Greek Orthodox church in Western Europe and is still standing.

The oldest part dates back to the 11th century, but the cathedral was destroyed several times by the Great Wars and was renovated in the 18th century. Under the ground of the cathedral and in its courtyard many inhabitants were buried until 1789. The church of Porvoo became a cathedral in 1723. If from the outside it doesn't look like much, the interior is sober and really beautiful. Note the presence of a tall ship suspended towards the nave, on the right. It is said to have been offered by the fishermen, to pray for them.

The medieval cathedral (a rare sight in Finland that deserves to be highlighted!) of Saint-Matthieu dates from the end of the 15th century. Note the admirably preserved ancient mural paintings, representing the history of mankind but also scenes from everyday life. Next door, a pleasant walk in the park-cemetery. As a matter of fact, the church was granted the status of a cathedral in 2004, when the diocese of Espoo was separated from the diocese of Helsinki.

In Helsinki's former working-class district, at the top of the hill (or rock, hence the name kallio), the church designed by Lars Sonck between 1908 and 1912 gives a good insight into the romantic national school and the influence of Art Nouveau in the city's architecture. Lars Sonck (1870-1956) is an architect who designed among others the Ainola residence of Jean Sibelius, the cathedral of Tampere, the Mikael Agricole church (not far from the district in Punavuori)...

With its twin 74-metre-high spires, this neo-Gothic Lutheran church, built between 1888 and 1893, is the largest in the city. Renowned for its acoustics, it hosts a number of concerts. The Divine Revelation was painted by Eero Järnefelt, brother-in-law of Jean Sibelius. The church takes its name in part from the hill on which it was built, a place that has traditionally been the site of Midsummer fires for centuries.

The Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas (1799-1801) is the oldest building in the town of Kotka. It was built according to the plans of one of the architects of St. Petersburg, Jacob Perrin, in a beautiful park and of neoclassical inspiration. It has cream tones on the outside and beautiful icons on the inside, including that of Archbishop Nicholas of Myre made at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. See also the icon dedicated to Alexander Nevski.

This beautifully painted church was founded in the early 14th century. A few medieval wooden sculptures have survived through the ages, such as that of the patron saint of the town of Saint-Laurent (15th century). Note the copper candelabra from the 17th and 18th centuries. The mortuary chapel near the belfry dates from 1824. Beautiful exterior facades in exposed stone. Inside, beautiful limewash paintings dating from the time of Bishop Arvid Kurki (1510-1522).

Located behind the Lutheran cathedral, the small Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity is also Engel's work (like the palace of the Council of State, the library and the main building of the university...). More intimate and secret than Uspenski, the church is a real little jewel with its beautiful old icons and its typical gilding. In this small space, the masses take place in a magical atmosphere, probably due to the smoke of incense.

Built in 1826 according to Carl Ludvig Engel's plans, this white wooden church has all the characteristics of the Engelian style: Doric pillars, high windows and a central cupola. Renowned for the quality of its organs still in use, especially during spiritual concerts, it remains one of the favourite places of worship for newlyweds. A plaque on its portal recalls that in 1710 two thirds of Helsinki's population died of the plague.

The last one made by Alvar Aalto in 1978: powerful and brilliant simplicity with its white and bare interior. High windows let a light flood in, barely subdued by the light foliage of the surrounding birch trees. The large organs built into the right wall are superb. The church hosts the annual organ festival in August. A few steps away is the market square with its covered market and the town hall in Art Nouveau style.

The church of Hattula is dedicated to the Holy Cross and is famous all the way to the Kingdom of Denmark. Built in brick according to a process used in central Russia and the Baltic States. For the anecdote, the western gable bears a brick mask intended to frighten away evil spirits. The interior is decorated with murals, the oldest of which date from 1450 and, like those in the church in Lohja, belong to the great era of Finnish medieval art. The guided tour is exciting.