Helsinki's Historical Churches (Self Guided), Helsinki

The Holy Trinity church holds the distinction of being the oldest Orthodox Church in the city of Helsinki. It is located in the Kruununkaka District of town, on the corner of Unioninkatu and Rauhankatu Streets. It is also one of the bigger tourist draws among churches in town. It also happens to be located next to the Helsinki Cathedral.

It was constructed in 1826. The architect was the German architect Carl Engel, who also designed Helsinki Cathedral and some other churches in the area. It was built in a neoclassical style of architecture. The church’s beautiful yellow exterior, which is trimmed in white, is quite lovely. This helps to accentuate the bell tower, and give it a very clean look.

It is the inside of the church that is the best part though. You will be amazed at the gold and silver in setting for the furniture, trimming, pictures, icons etc. This is set against the scarlet colored flooring and pristine white ceilings.

Services are held here each Sunday in Slavic and Finnish.

Helsinki Cathedral is an important symbol of Finnish culture and architecture, situated in the heart of Helsinki's Kruununhaka neighborhood on Senate Square. This impressive building serves as the main Lutheran cathedral for the Diocese of Helsinki and has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Initially built between 1830 and 1852, the cathedral was dedicated to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I, and was known as Saint Nicholas's Church until Finland gained independence in 1917. Today, it is renowned worldwide as one of Finland's most significant historical landmarks.

Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in the Neoclassical style, Helsinki Cathedral features a distinctive green dome surrounded by four smaller domes, creating a striking silhouette against the city skyline. Engel intended the cathedral to be the focal point of his design for Senate Square, with other structures complementing its grandeur. The cathedral's architectural plan, based on a Greek cross, emphasizes symmetry with colonnades and pediments adorning each arm, though Engel's original vision for additional columns at the entrance was never realized.

Built on the site of the earlier Ulrika Eleonora Church from the 18th century, Helsinki Cathedral's foundation has historical significance. Construction was funded by a decree from Alexander I, tying its origins to Helsinki's designation as the nation's capital in 1812. While Engel passed away before its completion, Ernst Lohrmann, his successor, made further contributions to the design, including the addition of four small domes and a bell tower. Notable zinc statues of the Twelve Apostles, crafted by renowned artists of the time, adorn the roofline.

Throughout its existence, Helsinki Cathedral has undergone renovations and restorations, including the conversion of its crypt into a functional space for exhibitions and events beyond religious ceremonies. It remains an important center for worship, hosting regular services and special occasions like weddings. With half a million visitors in 2018 alone, it is a popular tourist destination, embodying Finnish culture and spirituality through its historical significance, architectural grandeur, and active community involvement.

Tips:
Plenty of steps to get to the cathedral's main entrance (no handrails, so be prepared). There are some wheelchair ramps if needed.
Also worth a visit is an atypical café right under the cathedral (Cafe Krypta). The entrance is at the back of Kirkkokatu Street or via elevator from the cathedral. Friendly staff, delicious pastries, and inexpensive coffee.

Part of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Upenski Cathedral is the official seat of the bishop of Helsinki for that faith tradition. It is dedicated to the Dormition of Theotokos (The Bearer of God, or Mary). In fact, the name of the church itself is derived from the old Slavic word for Dormition.

The building was finished in 1868 and took a total of six years to complete. The well known Russian architect Alexey Gomostaev designed the structure. Sadly, it was not completed in his lifetime.

There is a crypt chapel that is built into the building complex. It was named after one of the old Vicars of the church, Alexander Hotovitzky. He served the local parish in the early 1900s.

There are several very beautiful icons on display in this cathedral. They also happen to be quite valuable as art antiquities. In fact, two of them had been stolen from the church in the last several years, with only one having been (remarkably) recovered. Consequently, glass protection covers had to be added, but this will not ruin your chance to appreciate the icons.

Tips:
- The climb up involves quite a number of stairs. Go up there at sunset. You'll get stunning photos of the cityscape with the sun setting just behind the Lutheran Cathedral.
- The rocks right in front of the church are popular place to sit on together with friends enjoying the view. Just watch out – they are steep!

The German Church is an important part of the community. This beautiful old church was built in 1864 and its Neo-Gothic style is a favorite of newly weds in Finland. One look at this picturesque venue makes it easy to see why it is so popular.

The Front entrance to the church is breathtakingly beautiful. The brick work is amazing and the door is framed by six large gothic windows in the transept. There is a large spire that was added in 1897 which just adds to the majesty of the building. The entire building underwent a massive refurbishing in 2001, and the results are wonderful.

For such a large exterior, the sanctuary is amazingly intimate. The muted color scheme aids in this illusion. The altar is exquisitely carved with great detail and so elegantly frames a painting of Christ at the Crucifixion. The pews are very simple so they do not distract from the elegance of the altar.

Services are held here on Sunday mornings at 11:00 and the services are in German. Services are also held on occasion at 23:00 as well as special activities around church holy days, so be sure to check the schedule when visiting.

Saint John's Church in Helsinki is a significant architectural landmark designed by the Swedish architect Adolf Melander. Constructed between 1888 and 1891 in the Gothic Revival style, it's not only impressive in its size, being able to seat 2,600 people, but also holds great historical and cultural importance as the largest stone church in Finland. It was the third Lutheran church built in Helsinki and remains the largest to this day.

Situated on a hill in the Ullanlinna district, Saint John's Church has a rich tradition associated with Midsummer celebrations, known locally as "John's Day." Its twin towers, reaching 74 meters (243 feet) high, dominate the skyline. Inside, the church boasts excellent acoustics, making it a popular venue for concerts and events as well as regular services.

A notable artistic feature is the altarpiece titled "A Divine Revelation," depicting Saul's conversion, painted by Eero Järnefelt, who has familial ties to Jean Sibelius. This adds a spiritual and artistic dimension to the church's interior.

To maintain its beauty and structural integrity, the church has undergone necessary renovations. A recent project focused on repairing and renewing its gargoyles, which had deteriorated due to Helsinki's maritime climate.

The church is also famous for its impressive organ, originally built in 1891 by the German firm Walcker of Ludwigsburg. Over the years, it has undergone expansions and renovations, including enhancements by Oskar Merikanto in 1921 and Christian Scheffler Orgelwerkstatt in 2004-2005. A new English-style shell organ was installed in 2018, further enriching the church's musical heritage.

The Old Church has been an integral part of the Helsinki area since 1727. It started in a temporary building that was named the Ulrika Eleonora Church. The local congregation finally outgrew this location, so it became necessary to build a new structure. That building was started in 1826 and was finally completed in 1852.

It is mainly a wooden church built in a neoclassical style of architecture. Some of the material from the original structure was also re-used in this current building. The benches, lighting and the church organ were removed and reset in the current home of the faithful. Over the years, though, the pipe organ was replaced by a 36 stop model in 1869.

The altarpiece is quite beautiful. It is one of the prettiest pieces of religious art to be found in the city. It was done by the Finnish painter Robert Ekman who is best known for his romantic portraits. It was originally intended for the Helsinki Cathedral, but ended up here instead.

The church is located inside a local park that is maintained by the city. Unsurprisingly, the park is called the Old Church Park. It is also referred to by the locals as Plague Park because over a thousand people died of the plague in 1710 are buried right next to the place.