St Olaf's Church

Sastamala, Finland

The St. Olaf's Church in Tyrvää is a late medieval stone church built probably in 1510-1516. Archeologists have found evidences that the church site has been a spiritual place even in 1000 BC. The settlement has concentrated to the Vanhankirkonnimemi area during the end of Iron Age. There may have been two wooden churches before the present one built in the 14th century. The St. Olaf's Church was probably extended in the 17th century by local family of Nuutila.

When the new wooden church was completed in 1855, St. Olaf's church was abandoded for one hundred years. The church was well known of it's unique interior, until it was burnt down by a pyromaniac in 1997. The church was rebuilt by local people and the interior paintings were created by painters Kuutti Lavonen and Osmo Rauhala.

Finnish National Board of Antiquities has named the church site as national built heritage.

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Details

Founded: 1510-1516
Category: Religious sites in Finland
Historical period: Middle Ages (Finland)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

J Vuorela (4 years ago)
Beautiful medieval church. Go and see it
Ольга Макарова (5 years ago)
Terrific place! If you are in Sastamalan and don't have a car, be prepared for part of the way walking on a roadside, but it seems to be quite safe.
3rvin (5 years ago)
Nice and old place
Bo Jorgensen (5 years ago)
Amazing old church at a scenic spot. Very interesting renovation and interior decorations.
Robert Kamil (5 years ago)
Great place to visit ?
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