The twin spires of St. John’s Church are among the most iconic features in Helsinki. It is the largest stone church in the country in terms of seating capacity and has its own serene gardens. Attend a large event or concert here to appreciate the excellent acoustics in the nave.
Gaze up at the large church that stands upon Punanotko Hill. By the entrance stands a statue of St. John the Baptist by sculptor Kari Juva. Admire the stunning rose windows with mosaic designs on the sides of the towers.
Note that the green twin towers reach a height of 243 feet (74 meters). Construction of the church was completed in 1891. Swedish architect A. E. Molander designed the impressive structure.
Enter the church through the large central portal and take in its sheer size. Relax on a pew in the nave that has a seating capacity of 2,600. Reach the altarpiece to examine the impressive A Divine Revelation. The painting was created by artist Eero Järnefelt, who was the brother-in-law of famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Gaze up at the grandiose chandeliers and peruse the many treasures decorating the aisles.
Find out about the hill on which the church stands. It has been used for centuries as the spot for bonfires to mark St. John’s Day in mid-June. Relish the serene setting amid woodland and patches of grass outside the church. It is an ideal spot for a picnic.
Visit the church on weekdays from morning until afternoon. It also opens on weekends for special events and commemorations.
St. John’s Church is in the Ullanlinna district a little to the south of the city center. Ride a bus to one of the many stops around the church. Walk south for 15 minutes from the Helsinki Railway Station to get here. The church stands beside its namesake park and is near to other attractions, such as the Saksalainen Church and the Helsingfors Observatory.
