Helsinki Cathedral
赫尔辛基大教堂 · Senate Square, Helsinki, Finland
A white Neoclassical church standing high on its terrace on the north side of Senate Square; its green central dome, four smaller domes and the twelve apostle statues on the roof form the signature outline of central Helsinki.
Know before you go
- Visiting during services or ceremonies and disturbing them
- touching the altar furnishings
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A project spanning over two decades
Construction began in 1830, and the church was officially inaugurated on 15 February 1852. The designer, Engel, did not live to see it finished; Lohrmann took over the work and added four small domes modelled on examples in St Petersburg.
Source: Wikipedia: Helsinki Cathedral
History
Twelve apostles on the roof
In 1849 Lohrmann installed larger-than-life zinc statues of the Twelve Apostles along the roofline. Visible from far across the square, they are a key feature of the building's appearance.
Source: Wikipedia: Helsinki Cathedral
History
A change of name
The church was first called St Nicholas' Church in honour of Emperor Nicholas I, a name it kept until Finland's independence in 1917. When the Diocese of Helsinki was established in 1959, it received its present name, Helsinki Cathedral.
Source: Wikipedia: Helsinki Cathedral
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The cathedral stands in the Kruununhaka district of central Helsinki, Finland, on the north side of Senate Square. Built on a Greek-cross plan, it has a colonnade and pediment on each side, a green central dome with four smaller domes, and twelve zinc statues of the apostles on the roof; together with the Government Palace and the University main building around the square, it forms a unified Empire-style ensemble. The interior seats about 1,300 and is relatively plain. Construction began in 1830 and was completed in 1852 to a design by Carl Ludvig Engel; after Engel's death, Ernst Lohrmann continued the work and altered the design, adding the four small domes as well as a bell tower and a chapel beside the steps. The altarpiece, depicting the burial of Jesus, was painted by Carl Timoleon von Neff and donated by Emperor Nicholas I, and the choir holds statues of Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon and Mikael Agricola. In summer the crypt hosts a café and temporary exhibitions.
Local customs
Climb the steps from Senate Square, look back over the square and its ensemble from the terrace, go inside to see the plain white interior, the altarpiece and the choir statues, visit the crypt exhibition and café in summer, and then stroll through the city centre along Unioninkatu and the surrounding streets.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Visiting during services or ceremonies and disturbing them
- touching the altar furnishings
Locals appreciate DO
- Keep quiet inside
- follow the rules on site for photography
- dress in a dignified, appropriate way
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The cathedral is still a working place of worship and stands in the city-centre pedestrian area, so a visit combines easily with a stroll around the square. The steps are high, and in winter the steps and square may ice over, so watch your footing. You can get there on foot or by tram
- opening hours, events and routes are subject to the official information.
- It can be visited all year round. In summer the crypt is open with an exhibition and café, and there are more events on the square. In winter the building's outline stands out clearly against the snow on the square, but watch for icy surfaces and short daylight.
