Savonlinna Cathedral

Savonlinna, Finland

The people of Savonlinna had to go to the Sääminki church when they didn't have their own church. In 1850 governor Aleksander Thesleff gave order to build a church in Savonniemi. The actual construction began in 1874 and was completed in 1878. The church was designed by architect Axel Hampus Dahlström in the Gothic Revival style and it has room for 1000 people.

In 1896 the new diocese of Savonlinna was founded and the Savonlinna church became a cathedral. The first bishop was Gustaf Johansson. In 1925 the bishop's seat was moved to Vyborg, but the church still retained "cathedral" as its name.

During the Winter War in 1 May 1940 Savonlinna was bombed and the church was damaged. It was restored in 1947–1948 by architect Bertel Liljeqvist. In 1990–1991 it was renovated by Ansu Ånström.

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Details

Founded: 1874-1878
Category: Religious sites in Finland
Historical period: Russian Grand Duchy (Finland)

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Alexey Belolutskiy (2 years ago)
I liked everything except the tour led by a girl in glasses with a rainbow ribbon around her neck
Moon (3 years ago)
your average finnish church.
Ujjwal Suwal (5 years ago)
The cathedral is of utmost historical importance. You will get a guide in English language too. The guide describes pretty well. A wonderful place in summer. No idea how it goes in winter.
Zsuzsanna Orbán (5 years ago)
Wonderful building.
Steve Ens (5 years ago)
Beautiful church to sing in. Organ is lovely.
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