
Helsinki Old Church, Helsinki
The Old Church has been an integral part of the Helsinki area since 1727. It started in a temporary building that was named the Ulrika Eleonora Church. The local congregation finally outgrew this location, so it became necessary to build a new structure. That building was started in 1826 and was finally completed in 1852.
It is mainly a wooden church built in a neoclassical style of architecture. Some of the material from the original structure was also re-used in this current building. The benches, lighting and the church organ were removed and reset in the current home of the faithful. Over the years, though, the pipe organ was replaced by a 36 stop model in 1869.
The altarpiece is quite beautiful. It is one of the prettiest pieces of religious art to be found in the city. It was done by the Finnish painter Robert Ekman who is best known for his romantic portraits. It was originally intended for the Helsinki Cathedral, but ended up here instead.
The church is located inside a local park that is maintained by the city. Unsurprisingly, the park is called the Old Church Park. It is also referred to by the locals as Plague Park because over a thousand people died of the plague in 1710 are buried right next to the place.
It is mainly a wooden church built in a neoclassical style of architecture. Some of the material from the original structure was also re-used in this current building. The benches, lighting and the church organ were removed and reset in the current home of the faithful. Over the years, though, the pipe organ was replaced by a 36 stop model in 1869.
The altarpiece is quite beautiful. It is one of the prettiest pieces of religious art to be found in the city. It was done by the Finnish painter Robert Ekman who is best known for his romantic portraits. It was originally intended for the Helsinki Cathedral, but ended up here instead.
The church is located inside a local park that is maintained by the city. Unsurprisingly, the park is called the Old Church Park. It is also referred to by the locals as Plague Park because over a thousand people died of the plague in 1710 are buried right next to the place.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Helsinki. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Helsinki Old Church on Map
Sight Name: Helsinki Old Church
Sight Location: Helsinki, Finland (See walking tours in Helsinki)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Helsinki, Finland (See walking tours in Helsinki)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Helsinki, Finland
Create Your Own Walk in Helsinki
Creating your own self-guided walk in Helsinki is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Helsinki Introduction Walking Tour
Helsinki was created as a trading town by Swedish King Gustav I in 1550, but it is believed that Swedish settlers had arrived here in the 1300s. Sometimes called the “Daughter of the Baltic,” Helsinki is a port town through and through. Its close connection to its Baltic neighbors, Sweden and Russia, has shaped its history for better and worse over the last 400 years. Both Finnish and Swedish... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Helsinki's Historical Churches
Helsinki features many impressive places of worship where you can enjoy a peaceful moment and admire the beauty of the religious buildings. Helsinki has two main religious denominations: Lutheran and Orthodox, but there are also some beautiful Anglican and German churches. Take this self-guided walking tour to see the most interesting religious buildings in the city.
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Finnish Souvenir Shopping Tour
It would be a pity to leave Helsinki without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. We've compiled a list of gifts and souvenirs, all unique to Finland, that a visitor might like to purchase to reflect their visit.
The souvenirs include Sauna Bucket & Ladle, Finnish traditional music instrument, ryija rug, Finnish vodka made from Arctic-grown... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The souvenirs include Sauna Bucket & Ladle, Finnish traditional music instrument, ryija rug, Finnish vodka made from Arctic-grown... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Helsinki's Architectural Jewels
Typified by Nordic minimalism and refinement, the architecture of Helsinki is shaped primarily by the early Neo-Classical style and a regional form of Art Nouveau, called Jugendstil. Still, it is the later work by modernist architect Alvar Aalto, as well as the thriving contemporary designs deeply rooted in nature and local craft, that give Helsinki, as well Finland in general, their current... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Seurasaari Island Walking Tour
Seurasaari is an island in Helsinki and is best known as the home to the popular Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. The museum provides an overview of life in the Finnish countryside by showcasing old, mainly wooden houses built in different eras. Some of these houses – once lived in by famous people in the Finnish history – were transplanted to Seurasaari island to become the part of the museum.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Distinctively Finnish Things to Buy in Helsinki
Shopping in Helsinki for an extraordinary range of tasteful and distinctive products is made simple and easy with the creation of a design district in the heart of the city which has many department stores, shopping centers, and boutique shops bunched together. The Finnish capital is a good city for...
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