Pihlajavesi Wilderness Church, Keuruu, Finland

The wooden church of Pihjalavesi was built between 1780-1782. In 1778 small village of Pihjalavesi requested to build their own church, because it was long distance to nearest church. The parish of Keuruu denied the request, but the building of smaller chapel was allowed without any public funding. Local inhabitant built anyway a church and sold grain and tar to fund it. When the church was completed, local vicar got admonition from the chapter.

Pihlajavesi Wilderness Church was designed by famous church builder Matti Pärnä-Åkerblom. There are many legends of church, you can for example find figures of people in the inside wall of the church. Remarks are probably originated from the people reclining to the wall during worships.

The cemetery surrounding church was established in 1785 and used until the beginning of the 20th century. Some parts of the church were renovated in 1870s and again in 1930s. It’s open in summertime and popular venue for worships, concerts and weddings.

Address

Virransillantie 191, Keuruu, Finland

See all sites in Keuruu

Details

Founded: 1780-1782
Category: Religious sites in Finland
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Finland)

More Information

www.avoinmuseo.fi

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Keuruu Old Church (21,7 km)
Serlachius Museums (38,9 km)
Ruovesi Church (44,5 km)
Kalela (45,6 km)
Kuorevesi Church (51,5 km)

User Reviews

aDa (3 years ago)
A wonderful old church in the middle of the forest. It was nice and quiet inside the church.

Martta Lappalainen (4 years ago)
Lovely place! During the summer, the church has such wonderful services! Sometimes a little cold, but wonderful!

Susanna Hirvenlahti (4 years ago)
Atmospheric wilderness church in the middle of the forest.

Suvi Leikas (4 years ago)
Wonderfully atmospheric church! You should stop here anyway. Also functioned well as a wedding church.

Timi Lehtola (4 years ago)
Great that the building has survived for years. A historic place, definitely worth a visit!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Pihlajavesi Wilderness Church