and saw a Lutheran church. I went to its entrance and saw a flickering screen inviting visitors to the church for a cup of coffee . . . for 1 Euro.
If I'm not mistaken, previously, there was also a church on this site. The building was severely damaged during the bombing. Then it was restored and turned into a nightclub. Such an unexpected decision. Worship has been held here, again, since May 2016. The only difference is that now the church leases the building from its current owner.
Perhaps there is nothing wrong, but a cafe inside a church is still unusual.
Here's an interesting building. I didn't even realize that it was a church.
This is the largest and most beautiful church -
. It was built in 1893, in neo-Gothic style. The towers are 242 feet (74 meters) tall. However, Mikael Agricola Church is the tallest.
There was a sculpture at the entrance. What is in his hand? And who is he?
You enter the church and realize that it is old. There's a smell of wood, excellent acoustics and a very special atmosphere inside.
This is Andreaskyrkan. I don't know anything about it - I was just passing by.
This is the most important, most famous and most majestic
on the Senate Square. It was originally named St Nicholas' Church, in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, and as a tribute to Emperor Nicholas I. There were figures of the Twelve Apostles on the roof and a big staircase leading from the square to the cathedral. It is a snow-white building with a large pediment and columns, everything is very grandiose.
The appearance runs counter to the interior. It is modest, as in all Lutheran churches. You experience some disappointment when you enter. There's a statue of Martin Luther - the founder of the Lutheran religion, Philipp Melanchthon - the theorist of Lutheranism, and Mikael Agricola - the founder of Finnish literature. You can also see a traditional organ above the entrance. That's all.
Here's a view of the Cathedral from Cathedral of the Assumption.
Here it is, the Cathedral of the Assumption. This is the largest Orthodox church in northern Europe. It was built in 1868. The construction lasted 11 years. Unfortunately it was closed, so we did not go inside.
This German church was built in 1864. It was also closed.
This is a church on Hietaniemi Cemetery.
You can see the Mikael Agricola Church from afar. The height of the bell tower is 318 feet (97 meters). It looks like a common tower, but there is something unusual in it. Mikael Agricola (1510-1557) was a church reformer and the first Lutheran bishop of Finland. The church was built between 1933 and 1935.
Is this their pastor?
There were preparations for some event in the church. A band was holding a rehearsal. Producer's desk unit, drum kit - everything was as it should be. Agricola Church has always been at the forefront of innovation. For example, the skeptics and disbelievers regularly attend the Mass of St. Thomas.
The organ was made in 1968, at the Veikko Virtanen factory. It has 40 registers.
The church spire can be slid inside the tower, if necessary! I was impressed.
At first I thought Helsinki was a boring city. Gradually, I began to find some highlights, and then there was just not enough time to visit everything I wanted to see.