Protected buildingNotable

Ruotsinpyhtään kirkko

Loviisa

Why visit

This octagonal wooden church on Myllärinmäki, finished in 1770, is the oldest centralized church built in Finland – step inside and let its form draw your eye upward.

Look for: Find the altarpiece of the Resurrection, painted by Helene Schjerfbeck in 1898, and notice the lantern rising from the centre of the roof, where the bells have hung from the very start.

About this site

Wooden church, central-plan church. The octagonal wooden church completed in 1770 on Myllärinmäki south of the ironworks area is the oldest of the central-plan churches built in Finland. The church bells have from the beginning been hung in the lantern rising from the centre of the church's outer roof.

The church's current neo-Gothic appearance dates from the thorough renovation of 1898. From the same year is the church's altarpiece depicting The Resurrection, painted by Helene Schjerfbeck. The hero grave area in front of the church, from the most recent wars, was executed according to architect Ilmari Wirkkala's drawing.

Official description (Museovirasto) — machine-translated from Finnish

Municipality
Loviisa
Heritage Agency record

Part of these journeys

Ruotsinpyhtään kirkko, Loviisa | Aikapolku