St. John's Church in Helsinki, Gothic Revival church in Ullanlinna, Finland.
St. John's Church is a Gothic Revival structure of red brick in Ullanlinna featuring two towers that rise 74 meters and dominate the Helsinki skyline. The interior accommodates approximately 2,600 people and houses a large organ with over 4,000 pipes, which benefits from exceptional acoustic properties.
Construction began in 1878 under architect Adolf Emil Melander's direction and was completed in 1891 as Finland's largest stone church at the time. The building rose during a period of rapid growth in Helsinki that required new religious structures.
The church displays fourteen wooden reliefs along its aisle walls depicting the stations of the Way of the Cross, created by Italian craftsmen. These artworks shape the interior experience and tell the story of Jesus's suffering through visual narrative.
The building sits on a hill with multiple approaches, and the main facade is clearly visible from street level. Since the interior regularly hosts concerts and events, checking for public occasions before visiting is worthwhile.
Three bells in the tower ring the opening notes of the Te Deum hymn since their installation in 1932. This melody sounds at specific times and adds a defining daily dimension to the place.
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