Turku Cathedral

Turku Cathedral was probably built in wood at the very end of the 13th century, but the present building dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. Since then, Turku Cathedral has also been renovated several times. The tower has been erected three times since the fires of 1681, 1738, and 1827. Due to the long period of construction, the cathedral displays several different styles, including Romanesque, Gothic and Neo-Gothic. Its age and the uniqueness of its architecture make the cathedral an important historical building in the country, which is often called the "National Sanctuary of Finland".

About this building

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Monuments
  • Interior features
  • Links to national heritage

Visitors information

  • Bus stop within 100m
  • Café within 500m

Other nearby buildings

Wikimedia Commons/Markus Koljonen

Orthodox Church of Turku

The Orthodox Church of Turku was built by order of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I (1825-1855) from 1839 to 1845. Built at the same time as the Helsinki Cathedral, the church has the same Russian neo-classical style. Inside, the church's iconostasis icons were painted by Turku-based painter Berndt Abraham Godenhjelm.

Wikimedia Commons/Mikkoau

St. Catherine's Church

St. Catherine's Church is a medieval church, first mentioned in 1396. The present stone church was probably preceded by a wooden church dating from 1351. The oldest part of the church is the sacristy. In 1396 German pirates, the "Victual Brothers", looted and burned the old church. The construction of the new church building began at the beginning of the 15th century.