In English:
Original English text updated in March 2014. In this series there are presented 57 paupers.
These historical wooden Poor-man (pauper) wooden statues are presented in their original surroundings. It is difficult to understand them at first, because man can find them only in Finland and some in Sweden. They are found mainly on the area called Ostrobothnia in Finland. They are part of our cultural heritage and thus being something special. What they are, why man made them, what is their history and how many of them exist? All these questions are replied in my next three posts.
Since I saw the first one nearly ten years ago, I felt sympathy to them. They were so cute, so live looking and well made. Seeing those statues later after years, many of them were in bad condition, I came sad. I saw that time and hard weather had left marks on them. I asked myself if anybody takes care of them, because they needed urgent restoration.
According to the latest calculations there are 145 paupers from which 107 (poor-man statues) + 1 (poor-woman statue) in active service, meaning collecting money to the poor. The rest of them are found in local museums around Finland. Total number of them is calculated to been about 180. In Sweden there are only nine paupers left.
Background:
All this began in 1649 (at that time Finland was under administration of Sweden) when Swedish queen Kristina (1629 – 1689) gave order to make money collection logs. In Europe wars raged around and many soldiers wounded in wars losing foot or arm. When wounded in this way they had to return to their home. These money collection-logs were modified to pauper (poor-man) statues by local artists. They were placed usually beside church doors and on the walls of bell towers. Man built for them small wooden shelter to protect them sun shine, direct rain and snow. In recent years many churches moved them into porches. So, many pauper statues present men missing hand, foot or even ear having models from solders maimed in wars. Man must remember that in the 1700, 1800 and 1900 century people were very poor, but they visited church every Sunday faithfully. I think that these pauper statues were great start for modern help of the poor (social security).
Pauper statues have moneybox in their chest and to put coins into them there is a slot in the chest. In general the Finnish people are honest and this means that there a few robberies against the pauper statues. Robberies have happened, yes indeed. Latest robbery happened in 2013 when the whole pauper statue in Rautio was stolen. It was found after winter in a ditch. The lock and money box were missing, but the statue was in good condition. Also the pauper of Alavieska has been robbed many times. In addition to these robberies, there have been some minor mischiefs like removing hands. Many paupers have beside them a written small phrase. Although the text might slightly differ from others, the main idea is: “he who has mercy on the poor, lends to the Lord”.
My posts go this way: First I present four churches and after photos of every church I show poor man statues with general views and close-ups. Because all pauper statues are presented in their natural environment, You will see also photos from churches, Chandeliers, Pulpits,Altapieces,Altars, Memorialsand Belltowers.
Always I could not visit churches inside, but in many cases yes. Enjoy our cultural heritage!
En español:
Historia de pobres hombres tallada en madera y la estatua estatua de pobrecita mujer.
Hay 107 estatuas de pobre hombres y una estatua de pobrecita mujer.
Al manejar mi carro alrededor en mi país, sacando fotos de las iglesias he encontrado algunas estatuas raras al lado de iglesias o campanarios. Ellos eran hombres o mujeres, y siempre sus mano o el pie había desaparecido, pero de todos modos esos estatues veía bien. Al examinar más de cerca encontré un hueco en ellos. Entonces entendí que se puede poner dinero en el hueco y dentro hay una cajita. ¿Por qué estos cajas / estatuas en madera de pobre hombres mendigos, se han creado, ¿cuándo?
Todo esto empieza en 1649 cuando la reina Cristina de Suecia dio la orden para hacer los leños de los pobres y ponerlos al lado de las puertas de las iglesias, campanarios o algunos lugares públicos. Pronto los leños de los pobres fueron modificados para estatuas de pobre hombre par artistas locales en Finlandia. En ese tiempo Finlandia estaba bajo la administración de Suecia. En Europa guerras devastó todos partes en Europa y muchos soldados heridos mismos perdiendo su pie o el brazo. Cuando heridos de esta manera ellos tuvieron que regresar a su casa.
En el 1700, 1800 y 1900 la gente del siglo era muy pobre, pero ellos visitaron la iglesia todos los domingos fielmente, así el lugar natural para esas estatuas pobres-el hombre estaba fue junto a iglesias o campanarios. Tal vez estas estatuas de pobres hombres ayudó a los más pobres, por supuesto, no existen estadicas.
Este post va de esta manera: Primero presento cuatro iglesias y después las fotos de estatuas pobres hombres.
En francais:
Histoire de statues sculptées en bois de pauvre-homme et de pauvre-femme statue.
Il ya 107 statues de pauvre-hommes et une statue pauvre femme.
Lorsque je conduisais autour dans mon pays pour prendre des photos des églises sur la campagne, j’ai trouvé quelques statues particulières à côté des églises ou des campaniles. Ils étaient des hommes ou des femmes et dont toujours la main ou le pied les manquait, mais de toute façon ces statues avaient l’air si bien. Lorsque en examinant les de plus près, j’ai trouvé une fente. Puis j’ai réalisé que l’on peut mettre des pièces à l’intérieur dans la fente du bûche. Pourquoi ces pauvres bûches / pauvre-homme de bois / bois statues mendiants ont été mis en place, quand?
Tout cela commence 1649 quand Christine de Suède a donné l’ordre de faire les pauvres bûches et de les mettre à côté des portes d’église, clochers ou de certains lieux publics. Bientôt ces pauvres bûches ont été modifiés pour homme pauvres statues par des artistes locaux en Finlande. En ce moment la Finlande était sous l’administration de la Suède. Les guerres faisaient rage autour de l’Europe et nombreux soldats blessés ont perdu le pied ou le bras. Lorsque blessés de cette façon ils devaient retourner à leur domicile.
Dans les années 1700, 1800 et 1900 les gens était très pauvres, mais ils ont visité l’église chaque dimanche fidèlement, de sorte que, le lieu naturel pour ces statues de pauvres-hommes était à côté des églises ou des campaniles. Peut-être ces statues de pauvres-hommes ont aidé les plus pauvres, mais des statistiques, ils existent pas bien sûr.
Mon poste va dans cette façon: Premièrement je présente quatre églises et puis et à la fin les photos de statues de pauvre hommes.
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Rautio – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Savonlinna – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Veteli – Poorman statues. Wooden beggar statues. Finnish pauper sculptures
Munsala (photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1792 / Iglesia construida 1792 / Église construite 1792
Belltower built 1741 / Campanario construido 1741 / Clocher construit 1741
Height of Poor-man statue 156cm (5 feet and 1.1 inches) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre 156cm / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Homme 165cm. Statue from 1851 / Estatua del año 1851 / Statue 1851
Rautio (photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1800/ Iglesia construida 1800/ Église construite 1800.
Belltower built 1800 / Campanario construido 1800, / Clocher construite 1800. Height of Poor-man statue 167 (5 feet and 5.7 inches)) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre 167 / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Homme 167. Statue from ? / Estatua del año ?/ Statue de les ans ?0.
Savonlinna (photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1846 / Iglesia construida 1846 / Église construite 1846
Belltower built ? / Campanario construido ¿/ Clocher construite?
Height of Poor-man statue ?cm (? feet and ? inches) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre? cm / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Homme ?cm. Statue from ?s / Estatua del años ?/ Statue des ans ?
Veteli(photos / fotos 2012):
Church built 1838–1839 / Iglesia construida 1838–1839 / Église construite 1838–1839
Belltower built 1859 / Campanario construido 1859 / Clocher construite 1859
Height of Poor-man statue 186cm (6 feet and 1.2inches) / Altura de estatua de pobre hombre 186cm / Hauteur de statue de pauvre Hommer 186cm. Statue from 1845 / Estatua de 1845 / Statue de 1845.
Poor-man statues 12 / Estatuas de pobre hombre 12 / Statues de Pauvre Homme 12
Poor-man statues 14 / Estatuas de pobre hombre 14 / Statues de Pauvre Homme 14
Travels in Finland and abroad 
Your church photography is incredibly beautiful, Sartenada. It must take you hours to load so many photos. The details are wonderful and the statues very moving. I want to give them a hug.
Comment by restlessjo — March 29, 2013 @ 09:42 |
Hello Johanna.
Thank You for Your comment. It takes about one hour. 🙂 This is no problem, but after every photographic tour to organize photos, it takes time to rename them properly, giving exact date, place and number. After this I put them in proper folders. My method is when handling photos first create a year folder. Then subfolders with month names. Then to create more subfolders as many as I need under every month. Doing this way I find the photo which I need or took years ago. Numbering of photos might be a problem; no it is, because we can use Window’s features!
I rename my photos this way:
1. Select the last photo in the folder.
2. Hold down SHIFT button.
3. Do not release SHIFT button and select the first photo. Now You have selected all photos inside the folder. Using Windows terms, the first photo is now the active photo.
4. Keep the mouse pointer above the first photo and release SHIFT button.
5. Now select from Your mouse the RIGHT button.
6. You get the list from which select: Rename. Select it with left button. Accept.
7. Give now the appropriate name of the photo, date and finally continue giving UNDERSCORE.
8. Accept.
9. All other photos are renamed correctly except the first one.
10. To rename the first photo is easy using COPY PASTE method.
11. Select the second photo. Press the FUNCTION button F2 from keyboard.
12. Copy the name [CTRL+C].
13. Select the first photo. Press the FUNCTION button F2 from keyboard.
14. Paste the name [CTRL+V].
15. Now You have only to change the number 2 to 1.
When looking this written, it sounds “complicated”, but I can say that it is the easiest way to rename for example 500 photos in less than ten seconds!
Here is an example of the name of the first photo which I renamed according to my own instructions: “Snow_Castle_2012_ (1)”. As You ´see I use many underscores. It is situated under the main folder: 2013. Under subfolder Feb. Under subfolder Snow_Castle. Or seen in my computer: 2013 \FEB \Snow_Castle \
To find a photo from my computer I do this way: I push Windows button and at same time letter E. This opens quickly File Explorer and upper right there is search box. If I want to search all Snow Castle photos I Write to search box: *snow_cast*.jpg. I used underscore, because I named my photos with them. If I want to seach all photos in which there is the word snow, then I write: *snow*.jpg.
I hope that my instructions are helpful to some of us who handles huge amount of photos.
Have a great day.
Comment by Sartenada — March 29, 2013 @ 13:23 |
Smashing pictures Matti.
Comment by Chillbrook — March 29, 2013 @ 09:48 |
Hi Chillbrook.
Thank You. I am happy that You loved my photos.
Happy Easter.
Comment by Sartenada — March 29, 2013 @ 13:32 |
Lovely photos…..I didn’t realise the Poor-man statues are so large, man size…….I had thought they were smaller.
Comment by blosslyn — March 29, 2013 @ 10:21 |
Hi Lynne.
Yes, some of them are indeed huge. To show how big they are, I was lucky that the gardener of the church took a couple of photos from me.
Happy Easter.
Comment by Sartenada — March 29, 2013 @ 13:37 |
un très bel article bien documenté avec des photos magnifiques c’est trop beau les statues et vitraux sont de toute beauté j’ai adoré bises MA
Comment by AUDOLY-NOURIAN — March 29, 2013 @ 12:05 |
Bonjour MA.
Merci beaucoup en commentant mon poste. Mon cœur chante en le lisant.
Je te souhaite une agréable journée! Bisous.
Comment by Sartenada — March 29, 2013 @ 13:48 |
It’s good to have you in the photo to compare the size.
Comment by wordsfromanneli — March 29, 2013 @ 14:29 |
Hi Anneli.
Thank You commenting my post.
Happy Easter.
Comment by Sartenada — March 29, 2013 @ 15:06 |
You’ve shared some very beautiful churches with us in this post. I really like the chandelier in the church at Veteli. The first two poor man statues look more elegantly-dressed than most of the others, although the first one could us some tender loving care.
Comment by seniorhiker — March 29, 2013 @ 17:04 |
Hi George.
I appreciate very much Your kind comment George. Thank You.
Happy Easter.
Comment by Sartenada — March 30, 2013 @ 09:19 |
Actually , one of my favourites is the third, the brick wall that leads your eye into the picture. I like the texture, same as the first one with the bricks or stones in the foundation of the church.you must have these poor man statues at every church in the country.interesting history to those figures..
Comment by janechese — March 29, 2013 @ 18:33 |
Hello Janeche.
I am happy for Your visit and kind comment. Thank You.
Happy Eastern.
Comment by Sartenada — March 30, 2013 @ 10:24 |
These churches are beautiful, Sartenada! Love those statues. Thank you for introducing them to us!
Comment by Amy — March 29, 2013 @ 19:51 |
Hi Amy.
I am very happy that You continued visiting my posts and left a very kind comment. Thank You.
Happy Easter.
Comment by Sartenada — March 30, 2013 @ 10:33 |
I enjoyed all of your photos, Matti! I especially love the church at Munsala. I wish I could have watched the builder when they made that one! What a structure!
Comment by montucky — March 30, 2013 @ 05:07 |
Hi Terry.
Your eyes saw it better than I and expressed it so magnificently. I mean the Munsala church. Thank You again for Your kind comment and following my series. Yet two more posts in this series. Now You have seen 52 Poor-man statues in Finland. It is “huge” amount from the total number.
Happy Easter.
Comment by Sartenada — March 30, 2013 @ 10:44 |
Bonjour Matti,
Encore de nombreuses richesses autour des poor-men !
Ceux à la peinture écaillée sur le visage me font penser à de pauvres momies.
Joyeuses fêtes de Pâques à toi et ta famille.
Comment by Marion B. — March 30, 2013 @ 11:03 |
Bonjour Marion.
Oui c’est ça une momie. 🙂 J’aime ton commentaire et je suis heureux de ta visite, mon coeur se rejouit. Merci beaucoup.
Joyeuses fêtes de Pâques à toi et ta famille aussi.
Comment by Sartenada — March 30, 2013 @ 13:25 |
Another beautiful series of church photos. Happy Easter!
Comment by Deb Platt — March 30, 2013 @ 11:07 |
Hello Deb.
It was so glad to read Your kind comment. Thank You.
Happy Easter!
Comment by Sartenada — March 30, 2013 @ 12:43 |
I really admire the simplicity of the churches, and the organ inside is really beautiful!
Comment by megtraveling — March 30, 2013 @ 14:42 |
Hi Megtraveling.
Thank you. You did found the word which describes best our countryside churches.
Have a wonderful day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 1, 2013 @ 11:41 |
Those churches are really different from here and thus very interesting. And those poor man statues very interesting. The chandeliers are fantastic ! Great post !!!
Comment by Anna Moritz — March 31, 2013 @ 16:19 |
Hello Anna.
I am very happy for Your visit and comment. Thank You.
Have a wonderful day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 1, 2013 @ 11:45 |
I enjoyed seeing more of your Poor-Man statues Matti, and your church photos! Your pictures are always a joy to see. Thank you.
Comment by luchaniktravel — April 1, 2013 @ 21:54 |
Hello Davinder.
How nice it was to start morning when reading that You visited my post and commented it. Thank You.
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 2, 2013 @ 06:58 |
As always, fantastic photos. It’s really nice to see architecture that is so different from those in my homeland. Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Jodi — April 2, 2013 @ 19:18 |
Hello Jodi.
How nice that You visited my blog commented my newest post. Thank You.
Have a great day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 3, 2013 @ 14:14 |
Wonderful, Matti – both photos and motives.I wish you a nice April – do you have signs of spring in Finland now?
Comment by Truels — April 4, 2013 @ 00:44 |
Hello Truels.
Thank You commenting. I guess that the Spring is “delayed” about a couple of weeks. We moved to another town which is from Helsinki about 220 km to the Northeast last November. This means that we have snow yet everywhere and lakes are frozen. Our home is by the lake, about 20 meters from it, and we walk on its ice daily. There are skiers and ice skaters in addition to us walkers. Nights are cold varying from -9 Celsius to -16 Celsius. During the day temperatures are raising to +3 to +5. This means that snow is melting slowly but certainly. I guess that You in the middle of Spring there.
Have a great day.
Comment by Sartenada — April 4, 2013 @ 07:24 |
I have looked through many of your categories of stunning photos! I especially like the bears, the all Art (ice pics), and the bracelets.
Comment by Marilyn Albright — April 4, 2013 @ 16:16 |
Hello Marilyn.
Thank You for Your visit and for Your praising comment. It was so nice to read that You have looked at so many posts of mine and liked them. I am really glad from it.
Have a lovely day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 5, 2013 @ 07:18 |
Wonderful, Matti. The churches are especially beautiful. Thank you for your hard work in preparing these marvellous series of articles. They are surely a labour of love. Bless you.
Comment by LizzieJoy — April 7, 2013 @ 20:47 |
Hi Lizzie.
I am very grateful about Your praising comment. It is true that am devoted to this series. To receive positive feedback warms my heart! Thank You.
Have a great day!
Comment by Sartenada — April 8, 2013 @ 07:48 |