RIISA – Orthodox Church Museum of Finland, Orthodox church museum in Kuopio, Finland
RIISA is an Orthodox church museum in Kuopio that focuses on Eastern Christian art and religious objects. The collection comprises roughly 800 icons and about 4000 textile pieces spanning different periods and artistic styles.
The museum was established in 1957 and grew from a collection that began at Valamo Monastery in 1911. The holdings were preserved and relocated after World War II when territorial boundaries in the region shifted significantly.
The museum displays sacred artwork that shows how Eastern Christian faith was lived and expressed in communities across the region. Visitors can see how religious objects were central to daily spiritual life and remained meaningful even after displacement.
The museum is located at Karjalankatu 1 in Kuopio and offers permanent displays as well as rotating exhibitions. Visitors should allow time to move through the galleries at a comfortable pace and take in the details of the artwork.
The museum holds Georgian-Byzantine gilded enamel miniatures from the 12th century that showcase exceptional craftsmanship from that era. Among the holdings are personal possessions that once belonged to Saint Arseny of Konevsky.
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