World’s biggest wooden church / Iglesia de madera más grande del mundo / Plus grande église en bois du monde

June 11, 2011

World’s biggest wooden church / Iglesia de madera más grande del mundo / Plus grande église en bois du monde

In English:

World’s biggest wooden church is situated in Kerimaki (30 kilometres from town of Savonlinna). It’s capacity is 5000 persons, of which 3300 can be seated. Church is from the year 1844-1847 as the bell tower also. Church is 45 meters / 147.6 feet long, 42 meters / 137.8 feet wide and 27 meters / 88.9 feet high. The height of the dome is 37 meters / 121.4 feet. Length of pews is altogether 1670 metres / 5479 feet. Church is in use only during summer.

The altarpiece is from year 1890. It’s motto is the words of Jesus: “Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.

Also bell tower of the world’s biggest wooden church in Kerimaki is huge. It is 42 metres / 137.8 feet height. You can visit bell tower and from there is a magnificent view to surroundings. First 25 photos are from 2006 and the rest are from 2011.

En español:

Iglesia de madera más grande del mundo se halla en Kerimaki. (30 kilómetros de Savonlinna). Su capacidad es 5000 personas de cuáles 3300 pueden ser sentadas. La iglesia es del año 1844-1847 como su campanario también. La iglesia tiene 45 metros de longitud, 42 metros de anchura y 27 metros altos. La altura de la cúpula es 37 metros. La longitud de bancos de iglesia es en total 1670 metros. La iglesia puede ser visitado sólo durante el verano.

El retablo es del año 1890. Su tema es las palabras de Jesús: “Venga a mí todos los que trabajan y están pesado cargado, y daré usted descansa”.

El campanario de la más grande iglesia de madera del mundo en Kerimaki está grande también. Su altura es de 42 metros. Se puede visitar campanario y de allí hay una vista magnífica a alrededores. Las primeras 25 fotos son de 2006 y el resto son de 2011.

En francais:

La plus grande église en bois du monde est située dans Kerimaki (30 kilomètres de Savonlinna). Sa capacité est 5000 personnes, dont 3300 peuvent être placées. L’église est de l’année 1844-1847 comme le clocher aussi. L’église est 45 mètres/147,6 pieds longs, 42 mètres/137,8 pieds larges et 27 mètres/88,9 pieds hauts. La hauteur du dôme est 37 mètres/121,4 pieds. La longueur de bancs d’église est entièrement 1670 mètres/5479 pieds. L’église est dans l’usage seulement pendant l’été.

Le retable est de l’année 1890. C’est la devise est les mots de Jésus : “Venez à moi, vous tous qui êtes fatigués et chargés, et je vous donnerai du repos”.

Le clocher de la plus grande église en bois du monde, est un clocher dont hauteur est 42 mètres et 137,8 hauteur de pieds. On peut visiter le clocher et d’il y a une vue magnifique aux environs. Mes 25 premières photos sont de l’an 2006 et les autres sont de 2011.

World's biggest wooden church / Iglesia de madera más grande del mundo / Plus grande église en bois du monde

Comments (41)

41 Comments »

WOW, that church is gorgeous as are your photos.

Comment by Neal — June 11, 2011 @ 15:12 | Reply
- Hi Neal.
  
  Thank You commenting. I was editing this post in this morning (local time) and it was intended to be published next Friday, but apparently I pushed wrong button. 🙂 I am glad that You liked this post anyway.
  
  I hope that those people who are art lovers notice my previous post concerning porcelain painting from yesterday.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 11, 2011 @ 15:28 | Reply
I really enjoyed these. That old metal lock on the door is amazing. The white wood window frames against the yellow structure look almost like lace – or a doll church.

Comment by Tammy McLeod — June 11, 2011 @ 20:51 | Reply
- Hello Tammy.
  
  That lock is really amazing. I have the photo from the key of some church and it is huge. Thank You for Your visit and comment. Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 12, 2011 @ 10:12 | Reply
Gorgeous ! A very beautiful Chruch… I truly like the inside too, it’s so unusual ! Thanks for sharing Matti ! Have a lovely weekend 🙂

Comment by Tamara — June 12, 2011 @ 11:12 | Reply
- Bonjour Tamara.
  
  So nice to read that You liked my photos from this special church.
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 12, 2011 @ 11:19 | Reply
Fascinating architectural photography, Sartenada! What really captured me were the warm tones of yellows, siennas and browns against the cool white and grays. Thank you for this vision!

Comment by lesliepaints — June 12, 2011 @ 18:16 | Reply
- Hello Lesley.
  
  Thank You. I was quite sure that You see more than me from my photos and so You opened my eyes to see wider angle.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 13, 2011 @ 10:55 | Reply
This is not a church.
It is a palace!!! 😉

I have never seen any church built in such scale using wood…
I am a bit concerned about their fire safety.

Comment by London Caller — June 13, 2011 @ 00:13 | Reply
- Hello London Caller.
  
  I am glad that I could amaze You with my post. Well, there are installed fire and burglar alarms of course, but it is true that fire is a problem when talking about wooden churches. Main problems are thunder and lightning, and then come maybe arsons. Few years ago we had arson in the church of Porvoo in 2006. In 1997 the old historic church of Tyrvää had arson. Both of them are now restored.
  
  Thank You commenting.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 13, 2011 @ 11:06 | Reply
Wow, that is one beautiful building. The style seems very unusual for a church. Like london Caller says, to me it looks more like a palace than a church–even on the inside. Either way, it is very very beautiful!

Comment by kateri — June 13, 2011 @ 03:26 | Reply
- Hi Kateri.
  
  I am glad that the church of Kerimäki pleased to You. It is big, also in live. I have been visiting there many times in my life and always it amazes me.
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 13, 2011 @ 11:08 | Reply
That’s such a beautiful place to worship…the acoustics in there would be amazing! Thanks for your lovely photos Matti

Comment by convictstock — June 13, 2011 @ 07:58 | Reply
- Hi Convictstock.
  
  Yes, there are many concerts in this church during summer time. I checked Internet quickly and found five concerts in July. Especially they are organized when in nearby medieval castle of Olavinlinna are hold Opera Festivals. So people visit both places and enjoy cultural events when we have white nights.
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 13, 2011 @ 11:15 | Reply
Thank you so much for sharing this on my blog. I hope many people look at the photos and share the beauty of this church. I’d love to hear one of the concerts in the summer.

Yvonne

Comment by ytaba36 — June 13, 2011 @ 11:35 | Reply
- Hello Yvonne.
  
  .
  Thank You. commenting so nicely my post. Well, Festivals of Opera are held this 1.7.-27.7.2011 in Savonlinna and from there to go to Kerimäki is easy. One possibility is taking a cruise on a lake. Maybe some year You might…
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 13, 2011 @ 12:09 | Reply
More amazing photographs! What is the rounded silver shape in 36 and 37? It looks like some sort of stove, but probably not and you say the church is only used in summer. Is that because of the cold in winter, or because it is mainly used by tourists in the summer? The views from the bell tower are fantastic.

Comment by jackiequeen — June 13, 2011 @ 18:17 | Reply
- Hi Jackie.
  
  Oh Yes, photos 36 and 37 are indeed showing stoves, but huge ones. These stoves do not have capacity to reserve heat. I could say that these stoves could be compared with those we used in our army when spending winter night in a tent. Everyone had to be as a “Steve Spark” in their own turn meaning to load woods all the time to the stove before it came cold.
  
  This church is “summer church”. There is a smaller one beside the church which is in use in the winter. Only on Christmas morning the congregation is gathering to the cold church which lighted by candles only. Might be an experience, I think. Annual amount of tourists from all around of the world is about 50000.
  
  About its acoustic our opera singer Matti Talvela said after a concert in 1970 with the Symphony Orchestra of YLE (Finnish National Radio) leaded by Okko Kamu that the church is like a big sonorous cello.
  
  The landscape around the village of Kerimäki (5632 inhabitants) is very typical with lakes to the Eastern Finland’s watershed region.
  
  Thank You Jackie.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 14, 2011 @ 07:08 | Reply
What an awesome structure that is! I’m glad that you included some people in several of the photos: it gives perspective. As I looked at the photos I constantly thought about what it must have been like designing and building it! One has to have a huge amount of respect for those who did that! Perhaps most of all I wished I could sit there and listen to that organ: it must be a magnificent experience!

Comment by montucky — June 14, 2011 @ 18:40 | Reply
- Hello Montucky.
  
  Thank You for Your visit and comment. The main problem why there are few people in my photos generally speaking is that I am too early on the place, I am the first visitor (tourists are yet sleeping) or I am photographing during off-season. Those photos with person are from 2006. Last week when I visited this church, the tourist season was not here fully, but it was just starting.
  
  Now I was lucky to take few photos from the first and second floor’s balcony. They were closed for access, but I asked the young Lady guide if I could take some photos quickly from there. So, she granted to me an occasion which would have been impossible during high season.
  
  Happy Wednesday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 15, 2011 @ 06:34 | Reply
Bonjour Sartenada, cette église est de toute beauté! Je suis impressionnée par son architecture et les détails de la décoration, vraiment un oeuvre d’art. L’intérieur est aussi élégant que l’extérieur. Et que dire de la vue que nous avons du haut du clocher? wow… ma-gni-fi-que!

Comment by annejutras — June 16, 2011 @ 04:33 | Reply
- Salut Anne.
  
  Je me réjouis de ta visite et ton commentaire. Eh bien, tu as vu comment est la zone lacustre autoir cette église, c’est belle ça.
  
  Belle journée!
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 16, 2011 @ 12:54 | Reply
What is distinctive, magnificent and beautiful building! It would I like to visit this 🙂

Comment by Truels — June 19, 2011 @ 10:29 | Reply
- Hi Truels.
  
  Thank You. Maybe someday You might visit there. If so, then take a boat sightseeing from Savonlinna to Kerimäki. I am sure that 30 kilometers on old boat cruising on a lake is enjoyable.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 19, 2011 @ 12:18 | Reply
You are blessed to be in such a lovely part of the world and also with the ability to capture the wonderful views of it and bringing them to us! Wonderful photos! 🙂

Comment by Jerome Lim, The Wondering Wanderer — June 20, 2011 @ 03:49 | Reply
- Hello Jerome.
  
  That was so kindly said. Thank You. Your country is also full of wonders. I know, because I have been there “thousand” years ago. 🙂
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 20, 2011 @ 07:09 | Reply
Great blog and great pictures!

Comment by elena — June 20, 2011 @ 07:38 | Reply
- Hello Elena.
  
  Oh, thank You for visiting and leaving Your comment. That was a lovely surprise.
  
  Happy Monday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 20, 2011 @ 14:16 | Reply
Incredible architecture with fine details well seen of this big wooden church and you’ve excellently photographed them too!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful series !! very interesting post, as always! 5*****

Comment by Anne — June 26, 2011 @ 15:24 | Reply
- Hi Anne.
  
  Thank You. This church is to me important, because I love it. Thank You for Your kind comment.
  
  Comment by sartenada — June 27, 2011 @ 06:40 | Reply
Built for five thousand? Incredible!

Our town’s population… about 3,400… could easily fit in the church with room to spare.

Why that big? Was it the only church around for a wide area? Was the population very large? Many questions come to mind.

How perfect to host concerts there!

Comment by Deli Lanoux, Ed.D. — October 14, 2011 @ 15:10 | Reply
- Hello Deli.
  
  Hmm, today the area has only 5 629 inhabitants and then when the church was built much less. Why it is so huge? Well, it is told that there was some kind of measure error. Somebody read construction drawings wrong!!! Nice story, but it may be true. This church is very near to the town of Savonlinna which I presented just today. In Savonlinna there is “famous” castle / fortress of Olavinlinna. It is unique in its way. Also operas inside the castle are very popular and people come to them from all over the world.
  
  Thank You commenting.
  
  Comment by sartenada — October 14, 2011 @ 17:08 | Reply
UAU! É uma igreja muito linda! Gostaria muito de conhecer! Temos uma igreja (capela) em madeira aqui na nossa cidade, mas é bem pequena, mesmo assim é uma atração turística. Deixei um no meu blog. Ah! Fiquei feliz que gostou da Catedral de Maringá. 🙂

Um grande abraço!

Comment by Administrador — July 15, 2014 @ 17:10 | Reply
- Olá José.
  
  Obrigado pelo seu comentário. Ambas as igrejas são muito bonitas! Para mim foi uma grande alegria ver-las.
  
  Saudações.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — July 16, 2014 @ 07:07 | Reply
Que bien hiciste poniendo de nuevo esta entrada.
Nunca vi algo parecido , que maravilla!
Thanks for all your sharings!

Comment by 76sanfermo — July 16, 2014 @ 08:40 | Reply
- Hola Anna.
  
  Me alegre tu comentario muchissíma. Muchas gracias. Bueno, la iglesia es grande, pero en mi tierra nordica hay algunas iglesias que son mejores para dar una visita que esta iglesia.
  
  Echa un vistazo y sorpresa por estas dos iglesias:
  
  Vieja iglesia roja de madera Pyhamaa.
  
  Vieja iglesia de madera en Petajavesi.
  
  Un forte abrazo!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — July 16, 2014 @ 10:13 | Reply
Really interesting. I realize I know so little about Finland. We don’t hear about Finland in Canada.

Comment by Jean — December 4, 2016 @ 00:14 | Reply
- Hello Jean.
  
  Well, world is so big and so much to see. We have visited many years ago Toronto few times and once Niagara Falls (Canadian side). I have one regular visitor from Canada (cyclist also and I saw her comment on one of Your post) and that is why I have possibility to see what’s up in Canada. Thank You again for Your kind comment.
  
  Happy and safe travels.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — December 4, 2016 @ 09:51 | Reply
Great pics. We visited this wooden church, but couldn’t go inside because it was closed. We did walk around it though.

Comment by leggypeggy — May 30, 2017 @ 15:48 | Reply
- Hello Peggy.
  
  Sorry that it was not open. Many churches offer possibilities for a visit from the beginning of June to mid-August. These churches are called “Road Churches” and inside of them, there is a guide. Now You woke my curiosity to know to where You continued from here. Maybe You continued to
  
  Monastery of New Valamo.
  
  This is my favorite place of this kind for a visit. I have spent a night there also. Very cool.
  
  One of Finland’s oddest place which worth seeing in summer and winter:
  
  Dancing scarecrows.
  
  Well, Thank You leaving Your kind comment on my site.
  
  Have a good day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — May 31, 2017 @ 08:23 | Reply
Nice big pictures, well done

Comment by Polmeetsworld — December 15, 2019 @ 13:55 | Reply