Temppeliaukio Church, Rock church in Töölö district, Finland
Temppeliaukio is a church built directly into granite bedrock in Helsinki's Töölö district. The interior features a circular design with a copper dome spanning about 24 meters across the top of the rock cavity.
The church was built following two architectural competitions won by brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. Construction started in 1968 and finished in 1969.
The rock walls create natural acoustics that make it a preferred space for musical performances and concerts. Visitors notice how sound travels with unusual clarity through the interior.
The building is open daily and has wheelchair access through the main entrance on Lutherinkatu. Good footwear is helpful since the polished granite floor inside can be slippery.
Instead of traditional bells, speakers on the exterior walls play bell sounds composed by Taneli Kuusisto. This unusual approach gives the building a distinctive and modern character.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
