Lemi Church

Lemi, Finland

Construction of the first church in Lemi was started in 1668, but it was destroyed by arson already in 1670. The next one was completed in 1688 and used for one hundred years. The present one was built in 1786 by the local church builder Juhana Salonen. The wooden crusiform-shaped church is one of the most valuable wooden churches in the Europe.

Address

Iitiäntie 1, Lemi, Finland

See all sites in Lemi

Details

Founded: 1786
Category: Religious sites in Finland
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Finland)

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

saila taipale (3 years ago)
Domicile

Kristian M (4 years ago)
Exceptionally interesting, sympathetic church. The brochure on offer told a lot of interesting information to the visitor. It was worth stopping to shut up.

Marko Valvee (4 years ago)
An estimate only for the outer shell, as there is never time to explore anything in peace during the summer holidays. The churchyard around the building was very clean and well-groomed, and even on a Tuesday in July, a lawn mower drove between the tombstones. The church itself may have seemed a hint of decay, in need of adornment. Otherwise a nice looking wooden church.

Jarmo Räsänen (4 years ago)
This is worth a look

Jukka Ritari (4 years ago)
An exceptionally beautiful wooden church. The tiled roof is being renovated, so the church is surrounded by a fine tar scent. ??

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Bela Lindtner

Historic Site of the week

Gravensteen

The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. This bastion consisted of a central wooden building and several surrounding buildings, also in wood.

In the early 11th century, the wooden building was replaced by a stone residence, consisting of three large halls that made up three storeys, connected by a stone stairwell. The monumental stone staircase, the light openings, the fireplaces built into the walls and the latrines were signs of considerable luxury and comfort in those days. There was probably also a tower.