Medieval churches in Finland
The Church of the Holy Cross
The church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.
Founded: 1515-1520 |
Location:
Rauma, Finland
St. Catherine's Church
The Church of St. Catherine in Nummi suburb represents the medieval church building tradition. The construction began in the 1340s, the sacristy was completed first and the church later. Bishop Hemming and Bishop Thomas of Växjö consecrated the church on 22 January 1351.Finnish National Board of Antiquities has named the church site as a national built heritage.
Founded: 1351 |
Location:
Turku, Finland
The Church of St. Mary
The Pohja Church was built between years 1475-1480 to replace a previous wooden church which was destroyed by fire. There are 12 medieval statues, 11 coat of arms and some chalk paintings inside the church.
Founded: 1475-1480 |
Location:
Raasepori, Finland
Inkoo Church
The oldest parts of grey stone church date back to the 15th century. It was built in three periods: the first part probably in 1430s, second maybe in the later half of 15th century and latest in 1510s. The roof was destroyed by lightning in 1623 and the bell tower was built beside 1739-1740. The Inkoo parish is very old (established in the beginning of 13th century) and it's quite probable there have been wooden churches ...
Founded: 1430-1510 |
Location:
Inkoo, Finland
Nauvo Church
The Nauvo Church was built probably between years 1430 and 1450 and it's dedicated to St. Olaf. The mural paintings were made in the 17th century. The most significant artefact in church is the crucifix from the beginning of 15th century. The oldest music instrument in Finland, organs called "Nauvon positiivi" (built probably in 1664), was originally in the Nauvo church. today it's preserved to the National Museum of Finl ...
Founded: 1430-1450 |
Location:
Nauvo, Finland
Perniö Church
The Perniö Church was built in the 15th century, probably in 1460-1480. It's dedicated to St. Lawrence (as well as many medieval churches in Finland). The interior contains mural paintings made by the school of famous artist Petrus Henriksson from the end of 15th century. There are also seven limestone tombs inside the church. The belfry was erected in 1746.National Board of Antiquities has named the church site as n ...
Founded: 1460-1480 |
Location:
Perniö, Finland
The Church of the Holy Trinity
According some references there has been a wooden church and stone sacristy in Rauma even since the 14th century. It might be true that stones of the sacristy was used as a part of the Holy Trinity Church. It was built in the 15th and 16th centuries to replace earlier wooden church. Anyway, church destroyed in a fire in 1640, and the Church of the Holy Cross has served as the parish church ever since. There are still som ...
Founded: 1495-1505 |
Location:
Rauma, Finland
The Church of St. Mary
There are only ruins remaining of the medieval church in Mustasaari, Vaasa. It was built probably between 1500-1520.
Founded: 1500-1520 |
Location:
Vaasa, Finland
Raisio Church
The Raisio Church was built between years 1500 and 1520. The church is dedicated St. Martin, a medieval Catholic saint. His picture is also placed in the Raisio city coat of arms. The oldest artefact in church is the triumph crucifix from the 14th century. The wall paintings are mostly from the 17th century.
Founded: 1500-1520 |
Location:
Raisio, Finland
Geta Church
Geta Church is believed to be built in the 1460s, and was dedicated to St. George. It was used as a chapel until the beginning of the 20th century. The altarpiece was donated in 1685. The Empire-style pulpit is from 1842. The major reconstructions have been done in the 17th century, and in 1842. The belfry was built in the middle of the 17th century, but it has been reconstructed in 1685 and in the 19th century.
Founded: 1460-1540 |
Location:
Geta, Finland
Sauvo Church
The medieval church of St. Clemens in Sauvo was built to present three-aisle outfit probably in 1460s or 1470s. First record of the Sauvo Church in Turku Cathedral documents dates back to the year 1346, but there have been several wooden churches before even from the beginning of 13th century. Many renovations were made to the church during 17th century, but the interior is very well-preserved. Mural paintings are from th ...
Founded: 1460-1480 |
Location:
Sauvo, Finland
The Church of St. Peter
The Siuntio Church was built probably between 1460-1489 and it's dedicated to St. Peter. The roof paintings representing stories of Bible were made in the early 16th century by German or Baltic artists. The church is damaged by fire four times, but paintings are fortunately survived.
Founded: 1460-1489 |
Location:
Siuntio, Finland
Sastamala Church
The church of Sastamala in Karkku (dedicated to St. Mary) was built in the end of 15th century. In the Middle Ages Karkku was the spiritual and administrative center for the northern Satakunta area. Unfortunately church was nearly abandoned for decades in the 19th and 20th centuries. During this time for example the floor was destroyed. The church was renovated in 1960-1977 and today it's used mainly for summer ceremonies ...
Founded: 1497-1505 |
Location:
Sastamala, Finland
Parainen Church
The greystone church in Parainen was built in the 15th century (probably in 1440-1460) and is dedicated to St. Simon. The western part of the Agricola-chapel is the eldest component of the church, today a museum. On the churchyard is located the chapel of bishop Tengström, Finland's first archbishop (erected in 1819). The interior of the church is covered with several coat of arms. The rarest one is dedicated to pope ...
Founded: 1440-1460 |
Location:
Länsi-Turunmaa, Finland
Halikko Church
The oldest record of church in Halikko is dated back to the year 1352. The wooden church was replaced probably approximately 1440. Original, two-aisle church was dedicated to St. Birgit. During the Reformation old chalk paintings were overpainted and church was left to dilapidate. Too small and dicky church was renovated and expanded in 1799 and again in 1813-1815. The old sacristy, weapons room and the tomb of famous nob ...
Founded: 1440 |
Location:
Salo, Finland
Lemu Church
The mediaeval greystone church is dedicated to St. Olav and was built in the 1450's. Long ago, Lemu was part of the great Nousiainen ancient parish, but parted to an independent administrative and ecclesiastical parish in the Middle Ages. When an episcopal church was erected in the old mother parish, a sanctuary consecrated to St. Olav was built also in Lemu. First, a small wooden chapel was raised on Toijainen hill prob ...
Founded: 1460-1480 |
Location:
Masku, Finland
Laitila Church
Laitila Church, dedicated to St. Michael, was erected probably in 1460-1483. The mural paintings were made in 1483 by students of famous Petrus Henriksson. There are also a crucifix from the 15th century and pulpit from 17th century.
Founded: 1460-1483 |
Location:
Laitila, Finland
Tuulos Church
The greystone church of Tuulos was built probably between years 1510-1540, but the oldest part, the sacristy, was built by Sairiala estate owner Knut Posse between 1477-1485. There is a Posse family coat of arms in the northern wall of sacristy. The church may have been sanctified to St. Bridget of Sweden.
Founded: 1510-1540 |
Location:
Tuulos, Finland
Ulvila Church
The Ulvila Church, dedicated to St. Olaf, is one of the most significant medieval buildings in Finland. The first church was built probably in 13th century to Liikistö, which was a local trade centre. According old documents the graveyard around the church was consecrated in 1347 and church was burnt badly in 1429. Historians believe that the present stone church was built after that between 1495-1510.There are sever ...
Founded: 1495-1510 |
Location:
Ulvila, Finland
St. Lawrence's Church
Lohja church is the third biggest medieval church in Finland. It dates back to the 15th century, probably between years 1470 and 1490. Impressive chalk paintings inside the church are made in the regime of bishop Arvid Kurki (1510-1522). The Lohja parish was established in 1230s or 1240s and there have been several wooden churches before the present one. Also origins of the bell tower date back to the Middle Ages. The up ...
Founded: 1470-1490 |
Location:
Lohja, Finland