Helsinki Cathedral
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Helsinki Cathedral | |
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Helsingin tuomiokirkko,Suurkirkko(in Finnish) Helsingfors domkyrka,Storkyrkan(in Swedish) | |
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60°10′13″N024°57′08″E/ 60.17028°N 24.95222°E | |
Location | Kruununhaka,Helsinki,Finland |
Denomination | Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland |
Website | helsingintuomiokirkko.fi |
History | |
Status | Cathedral |
Dedication | St Nicholas |
Architecture | |
Architect(s) | Carl Ludvig Engel;later altered byErnst Lohrmann |
Style | Neoclassical |
Groundbreaking | 1830 |
Completed | 1852 |
Specifications | |
Capacity | seats 1,300 |
Administration | |
Diocese | Helsinki |
Clergy | |
Bishop(s) | Teemu Laajasalo |
Helsinki Cathedral(Finnish:Helsingin tuomiokirkko,Suurkirkko;Swedish:Helsingfors domkyrka,Storkyrkan) is theFinnish Evangelical Lutherancathedralof theDiocese of Helsinki,located in the neighborhood ofKruununhakain the centre ofHelsinki,Finland,at theSenate Square.The church was originally built from 1830 to 1852 as a tribute to theGrand Duke of Finland,EmperorNicholas I of Russia.It was also known asSt Nicholas's Church(Finnish:Nikolainkirkko,Swedish:Nikolajkyrkan) untilFinland declared its full independencein 1917.[1]It is a major landmark of the city,[2]and one of the most famous historical structures in Finland as a whole when viewed globally.[3][4]
Description[edit]
A distinctive landmark in the Helsinki cityscape, with its tall, green dome surrounded by four smaller domes, the building is in theneoclassicalstyle. It was designed byCarl Ludvig Engelas the climax of his Senate Square layout: it is surrounded by other, smaller buildings designed by him.
The church's plan is aGreek cross(a square centre and four equilateral arms), symmetrical in each of the four cardinal directions, with each arm's facade featuring acolonnadeandpediment.Engel originally intended to place a further row of columns on the western end to mark the main entrance opposite the eastern altar, but this was never built.
History[edit]
After Helsinki was made into the capital of Finland in 1812,Alexander Idecreed in 1814 that 15 percent of the salt import tax were to be collected into a fund for two churches, one Lutheran and one Orthodox.[5]The cathedral was built on the site of the smaller 1724–1727Ulrika Eleonora Church (Helsinki) ,which had been dedicated to its patroness,Ulrika Eleonora,Queen of Sweden.[6]Helsinki Old Churchwas built between 1824 and 1826 in nearbyKamppito serve the parish while the Ulrika Eleonora Church was being demolished and until the consecration of the new cathedral. The bells of the old church were reused in the cathedral.[7]Construction of the cathedral began in 1830, although it was only officially inaugurated on 15 February 1852.[8][9]Engel died in 1840.
The building was later altered by Engel's successorErnst Lohrmann,whose four small domes emphasise the architectural connection to the cathedral's models,Saint Isaac's CathedralandKazan CathedralinSt. Petersburg.[10][11]Lohrmann also designed two extra buildings to the sides of the steps: looking from the square the left building is abell towerand the right building a chapel.[12]He also erected larger-than-life sized zinc statues of theTwelve Apostlesat the apexes and corners of the roofline in 1849.[13]They were sculpted byAugust WredovandHermann Schievelbeinand cast byS. P. DevaranneinBerlinin 1845–1847.[14]The altarpiece was painted byCarl Timoleon von Neffand donated to the church by EmperorNicholas I.[15]The cathedral crypt was renovated in the 1980s by architectsVilhelm HelanderandJuha Leiviskäfor use in exhibitions and church functions; Helander was also responsible for conservation repairs on the cathedral in the late 1990s.
Today, the cathedral is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions. In 2018 there were half a million visitors.[16]The church is in regular use for services of worship and special events such as weddings.
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Ulrika Eleonora church in 1816–1817, roughly located at the northwest part of the square
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An original sketch of the cathedral by Engel
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Another of Engel's sketches with accompanying buildings
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Lithographof the church from 1838, before the side buildings were constructed. The guard building in front of the cathedral was demolished in the 1840s and replaced with the large steps.[7]
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1867 photograph from the south
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1907 service with government officials on the day of the first annual session of theParliament of Finland
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Snow sculptureversion of the old Ulrika Eleonora Church being constructed on the square in 2000 (also done once before in 1997)[17]
In popular culture[edit]
The opening sequence of the music video for "Sandstorm"byDarudewas filmed on Senate Square, prominently featuring the Cathedral in the background.[18][19]
Gallery[edit]
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Saint Peter,carryingKeys of Heaven
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John the Apostle,carrying a cup
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Philip the Apostle,carrying an open book
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Bartholomew the Apostle,carrying a knife because he was skinned alive
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Matthew the Evangelist,carrying writing instruments
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Thomas the Apostle,carrying asquare
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Simon the Zealot,carrying a saw
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Saint Matthias,carrying an executioner's axe
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Interior, view towards the front
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View towards the back
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Organ
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Plain dome
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Altar, withCarl Timoleon von Neff's paintingThe Descent of Jesus from the Crossdonated byNicholas I
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Melanchthon,similar copy of Rietchel
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The crypt below
See also[edit]
- St. John's Church
- Uspenski Cathedral
- St. Henry's Cathedral
- Holy Trinity Church, Helsinki
- Saint Isaac's Cathedral (Saint Petersburg)
- Berlin Cathedral (Berlin)
References[edit]
- ^Kirkko Helsingissä - Cathedral
- ^"Helsingin tuomiokirkko".My Helsinki.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^What to do in Helsinki: Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square
- ^"Architecture of Helsinki – Destig".Archived fromthe originalon 20 September 2021.Retrieved5 March2021.
- ^Ikonen, Outi (15 August 2018)."Uspenskin katedraalia alettiin rakentaa suolantuontiveroilla – nyt 150 vuotta täyttävä katedraali on suosittu turistikohde".Kirkko ja kaupunki.Retrieved27 June2020.
- ^"Memorial to the Ulrika Eleonora Church".HAM Helsinki.Retrieved29 June2020.
- ^ab"Kirkon tarina".Helsingin Tuomiokirkko.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^Perälä, Reijo (12 April 2018)."Helsingin tuomiokirkko nousi vallan symboliksi ja maksoi miljoona ruplaa".Yle.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^Ruuth, Martti (1952).Helsingin Suurkirkko satavuotias(in Finnish). Helsinki: Helsingin evankelis-luterilaisten seurakunta. p. 7.
- ^Halonen, Kaisa (1 February 2012)."160-vuotias Helsingin helmi".Kirkko ja kaupunki.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^"Tuomiokirkko Helsingin sydän"(PDF).Helsingin Seurakunta.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^"Tilat".Helsingin Tuomiokirkko.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^Cast by the prominent firm of S. P. Devaranne, Berlin, and set up in 1852, according to Carol A. Grissom,Zinc sculpture in America, 1850–19502009:587.
- ^"Kaksitoista apostolia".HAM Helsinki.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^"HelsingforsDomkyrka"(in Swedish). Uppslagsverket Finland. Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2013.Retrieved19 February2013.
- ^"Helsingin tuomiokirkko harkitsee pääsymaksun perimistä".Seurakuntalainen.28 October 2019.Retrieved27 June2020.
- ^"Minä vuosina Helsingin Senaatintorille rakennettiin lumikirkko?".Kysy.13 October 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2020.Retrieved29 June2020.
- ^"Myrskyisä pako läpi Helsingin katujen"(PDF).Helsingin Sanomat(in Finnish). 16 November 2000. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 4 October 2015.Retrieved10 April2017.
- ^Rantanen, Miska (2 May 2019)."Maailman kuuluisin takaa-ajojuoksu".Helsingin Sanomat.Retrieved5 July2020.
- ^Korhonen, Ilari."Paavali".Tottosaari.Retrieved25 June2020.
- ^Korhonen, Ilari."Jaakob Vanhempi".Tottosaari.Retrieved25 June2020.
- ^Korhonen, Ilari."Jaakob Nuorempi".Tottosaari.Retrieved25 June2020.
- ^Korhonen, Ilari."Andreas".Tottosaari.Retrieved25 June2020.
External links[edit]
Media related toHelsinki Cathedralat Wikimedia Commons
- Official Site(in English)
- Helsinki Cathedralat Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä (in English)
- Panoramic view of Helsinki Cathedral