The most beautiful churches in Helsinki (and why you should go)
Helsinki is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the area, and its churches are a great example of this.
Helsinki is a favorite place in any Scandinavian travel plan. This northern capital is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city with many natural parks and beautiful neoclassical structures in the Senate Plaza. There are also a number of attractive religious buildings where visitors can relax and reflect on many topics.
Helsinki’s churches are the main attractions and religious buildings, and are especially popular with engineering enthusiasts who appreciate a wide range of architectural styles. The advent of modern Scandinavian design has damaged Helsinki’s ethnic invasion and warfare, making it highly variable. These churches do not disappoint visitors interested in architecture or just looking for peace during their stay in Finland.
Church tour
Helsinki Cathedral
In addition to the Turku Church, which is used by the Government and the university for important events, the ivory cathedral on the Helsinki side has become the symbol of the country’s capital and one of the two large churches.
Helsinki Cathedral is a neoclassical building with a Greek cross and four equilateral columns. The dome is 62 meters high and is flanked by four smaller arches and 12 apostolic zinc sculptures at the apical end and corners of the roof line.
The ivory inside of the cathedral is quite modest. The majestic structure features numerous magnificent murals and statues.
Getting there
- Nearest tram stop: Järnvägsstationen; It is a 7-minute walk from the cathedral station.
- The participation fee is 5 € / person
Uspenski Church
The red-brick Uspenski Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe and dominates the horizon as visitors arrive in Helsinki from the coast.
The cathedral was built in 1868 on a steep granite rock at the tip of the Katajanokka Peninsula, and contains elements from old Russian wooden cathedrals as well as late Roman and Russian medieval churches. The roof is supported by four giant columns carved from a huge granite slab, and the interiors are large.
The works of art in the evening sky hang from the ceiling. Byzantine decorations and symbols cover almost all of the interior walls, arches, and dome pedestals. The cathedral has an apse at the front and an altar at the back.
Getting there
- Nearest bus stop: Liisanpuistikko; It is a 13-minute walk from the station.
- There is no participation fee
Rock church
Perhaps one of Helsinki’s architectural treasures is Temppeliaukio Church, often known as Kalliokirkko. The church is carved from a boulder in the city center and is known for its magnificent copper arch. The Lutheran Church was completed in 1969. Strong pillars support the building’s gleaming copper vault.
The plans for the cathedral were made by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen.
Both locals and tourists often visit the massive cliffs surrounding the cathedral for walks, picnics and admiring the scenery. It is one of the most beautiful Lutheran churches in Finland.
Getting there
- Nearest tram stop: Järnvägsstationen; It is a 13-minute walk from the station.
- The participation fee is 4 € / person.
Church of St. John
In Punavuori, on the top of a hill, stands the Church of St. John, where summer bonfires were lit. The chapel was designed by the Swedish architect Adolf Emil Melander in 1891.
The Church of St. John perfectly represents the late neo-Gothic style in Finland.
The twin towers are 74 meters high. The chapels on the chapel, the pulpit, the altarpiece, and the crucible are all created by Melander. The interior is very ornate with stained glass arches, prayer boards and chandeliers. Eero Järnefelt painted the shrine in 1932.
The church overlooks the garden with lawns, a playground and an ice rink in winter.
Getting there
- Nearest tram stop: Järnvägsstationen; It is a 14-minute walk from the station to the church.
- There is no entrance fee
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel is a wonderful example of modern Finnish wooden architecture. The church does not engage in religious activities. Rather, the main purpose of this charming little place is to provide guests with a quick respite from the outdoor cacophony.
The structure of the Chapel of Silence is so original that it is sometimes impossible to separate it from the church. The exterior looks like a large wooden bowl.
The interior is modest but intense, as is typical of Scandinavian design. In the absence of windows, the chapel’s primary source of natural light is the beautifully shaped oval sunroof on the ceiling.
The combination of softly polished oak walls and a handy skylight creates a deep sense of calm and relaxation.
Getting there
- Nearest tram stop: Järnvägsstationen; It is a 4-minute walk from the chapel station.
- There is no participation fee.
The best time to visit Helsinki
- Although it may seem simple, it can be difficult to determine when to visit Finland for the best weather.
- The best time to visit Helsinki is from May to September. There is very little rain during this time.
- The city’s coastal climate leads to hot summers and very cold winters.
- July and August are the peak months of summer.
Because most Finns are Christians, there is no shortage of beautiful churches, especially in Helsinki. There are several magnificent chapels in Helsinki where visitors can easily spend a long time sitting and reflecting in Helsinki. They are also famous among architecture enthusiasts who know how to appreciate a variety of styles from traditional to ultra-modern. Visitors can observe these architectural wonders both inside and out to gain significant cultural immersion.