Petajavesi Old Church

Petajavesi Old Church is a log church built by village carpenters in the 1760s, its cruciform plan and vaulted timber ceiling translating grand European church ideas into the language of the axe and the pine log. UNESCO honours it as a masterpiece of the Nordic tradition of wooden church building.

Background

As early as 1728 the crown allowed local people to put up a graveyard and a small church at their own cost, since reaching the nearest church at Jämsä meant a long journey, yet about 35 years passed before construction began. The church was built between 1763 and 1765. The bell tower followed in 1821, the same year the windows were made larger and the sacristy moved from the north side to the east. The church fell out of use in 1879, after a new church was built. The art historian Josef Strzygowski drew attention to its value in the 1920s, and restorations have followed since 1929. It stands about 1 kilometre west of the centre of Petäjävesi.

Source: Wikipedia, "Petäjävesi Old Church"

What you'll find

• The log structure - the interlocking pine logs and shingled roof of the church.
• The timber vault - the ambitious vaulted wooden ceiling over the cross plan.
• The pulpit and fittings - the folk-baroque carved interior by local hands.
• The bell tower - the separate timber tower added a few decades later.

When to go

Summer, when the church is open to visitors with tours; outside the season access is limited. A clear day flatters the silvered timber.

Good to know

It is a single, small building, so it is a short and specialised visit for those who appreciate architecture and craftsmanship. It is out in the countryside near Jyvaskyla, a detour rather than a passing stop. Opening is seasonal, so check before a special trip.

Nearby

Jyvaskyla with its Alvar Aalto architecture is close; the lakes of central Finland spread around.

Key facts