The most beautiful religious buildings Finland

Valamo is the name of the largest island in Lake Ladoga (now in Russia), where an Orthodox religious foundation was established in the 10th century. The monastery remained for a long time the oldest and most important in Finnish Karelia. At the height of its glory, it had more than 1,500 monks. The monastery has been home to priceless religious treasures and has attracted increasing numbers of pilgrims over the centuries. During the Winter War of 1940, when the USSR troops invaded the region, a few surviving monks found refuge in Heinävesi in an old manor house. Only the precious icons from the 18th century and a few sacred objects were thus saved from the advance of the Soviets. It is here, in Heinävesi, that they will build the new monastery of Valamo.

An Orthodox Institute of Free Studies is now open. At the same time, at the end of the 1980s, the University of Joensuu introduced a course in Orthodox theology. Uusi Valamo has become an active centre of the Orthodox cultural tradition, welcoming 100,000 visitors each year, whether they are pilgrims in search of meditation or simply tourists. Faithful to tradition, the community of men lives from farming, fishing and tourism. In addition to the church, completed in 1976 (beautiful icons in silver and gold, pearls and precious stones), there is a cultural centre and an inn. New Valamo also houses one of the richest Orthodox libraries (open to visitors staying in Valamo) and the best icon restoration workshop in Northern Europe.

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 building in the city of Turku is the seat of the evangelical archbishopric. Its construction, begun in 1280, was not completed until 200 years later. Originally it was built only of wood. For centuries it was one of the most important places of northern Christianity, together with Lund, Nidaros and Roskilde. At the time, it radiated on the terra incognita that was, beyond Turku, the immense Finnish territory covered with lakes and forests: from Lapland to the Russian Orthodox border. The cathedral houses a monument to the Finnish reformer and Luther disciple Michael Agricola, who later became Bishop of Turku. It was he who made Finnish a written language when it was only spoken. Today the organ concerts are impressive, don't hesitate to ask at the tourist office for the dates. The whole cathedral quarter is a magnificent neoclassical ensemble. The most imposing of its buildings, the former Academy, has a superb village hall with granite columns. The Turku Academy was for a long time the only relay of European humanism in Finland, until the change of capital in 1812 on the orders of the Russian Tsar Alexander I. From the heights of the city, there is a beautiful view of the Aurajoki River and its banks, which border the Sibelius Museum, the cultural centre, the library and the municipal theatre. The cathedral is considered one of the most remarkable historical monuments of the country.

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.

This Lutheran cathedral was originally built in 1777 as a tribute to King Gustav III of Sweden. Originally made of wood, it was partly destroyed during the fire of 23 May 1822 that ravaged the city. Rebuilt after the fire, its pale yellow exterior and the 17th century portraits it contains make it a jewel of northern Finland's sacred art. The church was made an official cathedral in 1900, when the bishopric was transferred from Kuopio to Oulu. It is the ecclesiastical centre of Northern Finland.

Completed in 1797, this neoclassical church is one of the measuring points of the Struve geodesic arch, which is part of the Unesco World Heritage. The point on the tower of the church was measured in 1842. It was marked in the clock tower and can still be seen on the walls. There was probably a wooden church in its place already in 1208. Surrounded by a quiet area by the water, you can spend a day here with a visit of the church.

Inaugurated in 2005, Turku's magnificent ecumenical chapel is located in the Hirvensaloet district and was designed by Matti Sanaksenaho. The altarpiece, doors and pews are the work of Kain Tapper while the stained glass windows were painted by Hannu Konola. Initially built for patients of the nearby hospital, it eventually became ecumenical. Thus, Lutherans, Catholics, Orthodox, Adventists, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, the Free Church and the Salvation Army can use it. Art exhibitions, concerts and other events.

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.

This huge wooden church, whose construction was completed in 1848, can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers (3,000 of whom are seated). It is the largest in the world, and the measurements of the building speak for themselves: 45 m long by 42 m wide and 27 m high under the dome. Why such a big church in such a small village? Legend has it that the architect got confused between feet and meters as a unit of measurement! Its construction required the collaboration of all the men of the village aged between 15 and 60 years old during 3 years.

This beautiful wooden church was built in 1726. Its special feature is that its walls and ceiling were painted by Emanuel Grandberg, a local painter. One can especially admire his remarkable interpretation of hell, which can be seen above the entrance of the church. Also admire the Kalevala monument on the gate. A little further on, on Kirkkokatu 19, you will see another Lutheran church, in neo-gothic style, completed in 1897 according to the plans of the architect Jacob Ahrenberg. See in particular the altarpiece by the artist Tuhkanen.

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.

We can start by taking a tour of the old town. It is one of the best preserved in Finland and dates back to the 17th century with its wooden houses and narrow streets. The town hall (1851) can also be admired. Then on to the Ulrika-Eleonora Church on Aitakatu, one of the oldest wooden religious buildings. Its ex-votos, in the form of model ships, implore the return of sailors who have gone to sea or thank for a wish granted. It is open from mid-May to August, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm.