Church of the Holy Cross, Medieval parish church in Old Rauma, Finland.
The Church of the Holy Cross is a stone parish church in Old Rauma with two aisles and walls decorated with medieval frescoes. These paintings depict biblical stories related to salvation and date to the time when the building was first constructed.
The building was constructed in the early 1500s as a Franciscan monastery church. After the Reformation, it was transformed into a Lutheran parish church, a role it continues to play today.
The church remains central to the community's spiritual life and reflects the beliefs of people who have gathered here for centuries. The medieval frescoes reveal which biblical stories held particular meaning for the faithful in the past.
The building is open to visitors during regular hours and has interior seating for around 800 people. It's worth checking visiting times in advance, as religious services and events may affect access.
A white clock tower built in 1816 stands beside the church and was constructed using stones from a demolished earlier church. This tower once served as a navigation landmark for ships approaching the harbor.
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