The most beautiful religious buildings Finland

Built by J. Stenbäck at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it was built in the Käppärä cemetery opened in 1884. Juselius, a city industrialist, commissioned the mausoleum in memory of his only child, his daughter Sigrid Juselius, who died at the age of 11. Construction began in 1901 and was completed two years later. The frescoes in the mausoleum are the work of Aleksis Gallèn-Kallela and were restored by his son. It's a nice visit if you're around.

It is the central church in Pori, a Lutheran church, the largest in the Satakunta region and one of the largest in Finland. It is a large and beautiful neo-Gothic red brick church built in 1863, which can accommodate 2,000 worshippers. Fully restored in 1995, it looks good in the middle of its park and on the banks of the river Kokemäenjoki. Its cast-iron bell tower is 72 m high. The interior is decorated in the romantic nationalist style and the paintings dating from 1898 are by architect August Krook.

This former Franciscan monastery, built at the end of the 15th century and inaugurated in 1512, is a must see! After Luther's meeting with King Vasa of Sweden in 1538, the latter opted for the Reformation. The whole kingdom had to convert. The monks are thus driven out, but the church remains. In 1891, the church was restored and the medieval frescoes covered since the Reformation were discovered. In excellent condition, they give a very singular character to the place. Admire the medieval triptych, the altar imported from Germany, the 17th century chandelier and the organ at the end of the 18th century.

In the heart of a beautiful park, the beautiful church with exposed pink granite stones, built between 1443 and 1462, slightly overlooks the surrounding waters. Built at the base to serve the order of Sainte-Brigitte, it is today the only vestige of the convent of the brigitinnes. It is also one of the oldest medieval constructions in the country. Belfry late 18th century of Baroque inspiration. During the ruska (autumn and its bright colours), the colours are splendid. On summer evenings, vespers are announced at 8 pm by a trumpet.

The Vanha Kirkko Church is located outside the town and is surrounded by greenery and trees. Built in 1689, it is one of the oldest and best preserved churches in Lapland, and even in Finland, as it was spared the rout of the German army. At the time, it was only the third church built in Lapland after Inari and Kemijärvi. It is made of wood and has a roof of wooden scales in the shape of an overturned boat.

Completed in 1987, this magnificent church will finish by immersing you in the atmosphere of the Great North. The exterior already surprises: all in wood, with the shape of a chalet, it seduces you right away! This church was not built for Russian nationals, but for the Saami skolts. The latter fled the Petsamo region after the arrival of the Soviets and the catastrophic development of nickel mining. There is also a community of Saami skolts in Sevettijärvi, further north.

Completed in 1966 to designs by Reima Pietilä, it's certainly one of the country's most impressive churches. Its fish-inspired exterior initially gives the impression of a large, boring high-rise building. Once inside, however, what a surprise to discover no pillars at all! As for the exceptional acoustics, combined with the incredible luminosity and purity of lines, the result is a great sense of freedom! A benchmark in contemporary sacred architecture, it can accommodate 1,120 worshippers.

Built in 1907 according to the plans of the architect Lars Sonck (1870-1956). It is one of the most representative examples of the Finnish National Romantic style with its grey granite and spectacular open nave. The other frescoes depict twelve naked boys wearing a garland of roses symbolizing the weight of the earthly miseries. On the ceiling, angel wings, the flag bearers of goodness, flutter around an apple snake, symbol of evil. Amazing and quite rare.

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.

While walking around Tornio, don't miss the church on Seminaarinkatu. Certainly one of the most beautiful wooden churches in the country. Completed in 1686, the church was built in honour of the Swedish Queen Eleanor. A second church can be seen on Lukiokatu. It was in 1825 that Tsar Alexander I decided to build an Orthodox place of worship. The present building, dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, dates from 1884. You can also visit the Torne Valley Museum to learn more about the customs and traditions of the region.

The nuns make candles for the Orthodox churches in Finland and also keep sheep. Orthodox services are held here twice a day: at 6 am and 6 pm. From New Valamo, 18 km away, you can take a trip on the Sergei boat to the Lintula monastery via the Varistaipale canal (a difference in level of more than 14 m). In summer, you can also take a boat from Kuopio or Savonlinna to both monasteries. The beautiful lake district is ideal for this type of cruise.

Wooden church was built in 1891. Next to it there is a centre on the Orthodox religion and an Orthodox cemetery. At that time, Karelia was converted to Christianity through Orthodoxy in the 12th century. In some Orthodox villages in Karelia, after the mass on St. Peter's Day (June), a ram blessed by the priest is sacrificed before being shared by the faithful. Other communities do the same on St. Elijah's Day (July).

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The neoclassical Lutheran Cathedral - Tuomiokirkko - built between 1806 and 1815 in exposed granite stone, is the seat of the Kuopio Diocese. It is set in a beautiful park and dominates the whole area. A little further on, you can also admire a second Orthodox cathedral, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, with its beautiful red brick façade and green roof, which blends in perfectly with the nearby garden.