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| Helsinki Cathedral | |
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Helsingin tuomiokirkko,Suurkirkko(in Finnish) Helsingfors domkyrka,Storkyrkan(in Swedish) | |
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| 60°10′13″N024°57′08″E / 60.17028°N 24.95222°E /60.17028; 24.95222 | |
| Location | Kruununhaka,Helsinki,Finland |
| Denomination | Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland |
| Website | helsingintuomiokirkko.fi |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Dedication | St Nicholas |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Carl Ludvig Engel; later altered byErnst Lohrmann |
| Style | Neoclassical |
| Groundbreaking | 1830 |
| Completed | 1852 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | seats 1,300 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Helsinki |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Teemu Laajasalo |
Helsinki Cathedral (Finnish:Helsingin tuomiokirkko,Suurkirkko;Swedish:Helsingfors domkyrka,Storkyrkan) is theFinnish Evangelical Lutherancathedral of theDiocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood ofKruununhaka in the centre ofHelsinki,Finland, at theSenate Square. The church was originally built from 1830 to 1852 as a tribute to theGrand Duke of Finland, EmperorNicholas I of Russia. It was also known asSt Nicholas's Church (Finnish:Nikolainkirkko,Swedish:Nikolajkyrkan) untilFinland declared its full independence in 1917.[1] It is a major landmark of the city,[2] and one of the most famous historical structures in Finland as a whole when viewed globally.[3][4]
A distinctive landmark in the Helsinki cityscape, with its tall, green dome surrounded by four smaller domes, the building is in theneoclassical style. It was designed byCarl Ludvig Engel as the climax of his Senate Square layout: it is surrounded by other, smaller buildings designed by him.
The church's plan is aGreek cross (a square centre and four equilateral arms), symmetrical in each of the four cardinal directions, with each arm's facade featuring acolonnade andpediment. Engel originally intended to place a further row of columns on the western end to mark the main entrance opposite the eastern altar, but this was never built.
After Helsinki was made into the capital of Finland in 1812,Alexander I decreed in 1814 that 15 percent of the salt import tax were to be collected into a fund for two churches, one Lutheran and one Orthodox.[5] The cathedral was built on the site of the smaller 1724–1727Ulrika Eleonora Church (Helsinki) [fi], which had been dedicated to its patroness,Ulrika Eleonora,Queen of Sweden.[6]Helsinki Old Church was built between 1824 and 1826 in nearbyKamppi to serve the parish while the Ulrika Eleonora Church was being demolished and until the consecration of the new cathedral. The bells of the old church were reused in the cathedral.[7] Construction of the cathedral began in 1830, although it was only officially inaugurated on 15 February 1852.[8][9] Engel died in 1840.
The building was later altered by Engel's successorErnst Lohrmann, whose four small domes emphasise the architectural connection to the cathedral's models,Saint Isaac's Cathedral andKazan Cathedral inSt. Petersburg.[10][11] Lohrmann also designed two extra buildings to the sides of the steps: looking from the square the left building is abell tower and the right building a chapel.[12] He also erected larger-than-life sized zinc statues of theTwelve Apostles at the apexes and corners of the roofline in 1849.[13] They were sculpted byAugust Wredov andHermann Schievelbein and cast byS. P. Devaranne inBerlin in 1845–1847.[14] The altarpiece was painted byCarl Timoleon von Neff and donated to the church by EmperorNicholas I.[15] The cathedral crypt was renovated in the 1980s by architectsVilhelm Helander andJuha Leiviskä for use in exhibitions and church functions; Helander was also responsible for conservation repairs on the cathedral in the late 1990s.
Today, the cathedral is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions. In 2018 there were half a million visitors.[16] The church is in regular use for services of worship and special events such as weddings. Finland's nationalSaint Lucy's Day celebrations are held at the cathedral.[17]
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The opening sequence of the music video for "Sandstorm" byDarude was filmed on Senate Square, prominently featuring the Cathedral in the background.[19][20]
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Media related toHelsinki Cathedral at Wikimedia Commons| Dioceses |  | |
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Helsinki Cityscape | |||||
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