World Heritage Photos

Petäjävesi Old Church is a fine example of northern wooden architecture and characteristic of the Scandinavian church architecture and a long tradition of log building, just like the wooden houses of Old Rauma. Petäjävesi Old Church is located in the central part of Finland. Petäjävesi Old Church was built between 1763 and 1765. The bell tower was added to the church in 1820. The church is built of wood without using nails, the logs are notched together, the church roof is covered by triangular wooden shingles. The interior of the Petäjävesi Old Church has remained almost original. One of the highlights of the church is the carved pulpit. The wooden pulpit and chandeliers were created by local artists and craftsman. Since a new parish church was built in 1879, the Petäjävesi Old Church has not been dismantled, the church bells were left in the tower and the churchyard is still in use. Today, Petäjävesi Old Church is in use for weddings, baptisms and concerts. Petäjävesi Old Church gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1994.

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   Petäjävesi Old Church was built in 1763-1765, the bell tower was built in 1820. The bell tower is joined to the church by a passage. The church plan is in the form of a Greek cross, the four arms are equal in length. The old church was built of wood without the use of steel nails, the logs are notched together. Petäjävesi Old Church is situated near a lake in Petäjävesi, a village in central Finland. Petäjävesi Old Church was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.

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   Petäjävesi Old Church is located in a forested area in central Finland. The church roof is covered by triangular wood shingles. At the entrance of the church is a small storage room for weapons because there always was the possibility of an attack by a wild animal, such as a bear or a wolf. Before entering the church parishioners were required to store their weapons in this room, for the reason that it was forbidden to carry weapons into the church.

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   The corner-joint construction of Petäjävesi Old Church. The church is completely built of wood, the logs are notched together in the corners, just like most of the historic wooden buildings in Finland. Petäjävesi Old Church is an impressive example of Scandinavian wooden architecture. Petäjävesi Old Church is an Evangelical-Lutheran country church, it is one of the oldest wooden churches in Finland. Petäjävesi Old Church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1994.

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   Petäjävesi Old Church: On the left hand side the pulpit, on the right hand side the bench of the cantor, the chief singer who conducted the hymn singing. Since a new parish church was built in 1879, the Petäjävesi Old Church has not been used for regular services. The old wooden church has not been dismantled, the bells were left in the belfry and the churchyard is still in use. Now, Petäjävesi Old Church is in use for special events, such as weddings, baptisms and concerts.

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   Petäjävesi Old Church: A wooden chandelier hanging from the wooden vaults of the octagonal domed tower. The ribs of the vaults are decorated with red motifs. The chandelier was made in the Baroque style, a popular style at that time. Petäjävesi Old Church was built without using a single nail, the logs were joined by notching. The high roof of Petäjävesi Old Church resembles the Early Gothic style.

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   Petäjävesi Old Church: The decorated wooden pulpit was created between 1763 and 1765. The interior of Petäjävesi Old Church has remained almost original. The wooden chandelier and the carved pulpit were made by local craftsman and artists. The pulpit is carved with the images of Jesus Christ, the twelve apostles and also a number of angels, the Seraphim with six wings and the Cherubim with two wings. The pulpit is supported by a wooden statue of St. Christopher.

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   Petäjävesi Old Church: The bench of the cantor, the church had no organ, so the community of Petäjävesi employed a cantor, he conducted the hymn singing during the church services. The old church is an outstanding example of the northern wooden architecture, a representative of Scandinavian church architecture and a long tradition of log building. Petäjävesi Old Church is situated on a peninsula between the lakes Petäjävesi en Jamsa.