Our Planet’s Landmarks Series #22
Rock Church Helsinki Finland
Like you, the towering steeples are my beacons to spot a church. Walking the sidewalk of Helsinki’s busy Runeberginkatu, I had my eyes peeled for a spire. I had walked a kilometre, checked with people, studied the map, and still felt lost. There seemed to be no church in sight.
Hunt for Rock Church
I was looking for Helsinki’s landmark Rock Church. They call it Temppeliaukion kirkko in Helsinki. But I had failed to spot a spire with a cross. A sense of empathy had a local escort me to the church. He led me through a non-descript alley in a quiet neighbourhood. And left me outside a low wall surrounding a rockface.
It looked nothing like a church. As he walked away, I looked around uncertainly if I was in the right place. A couple of benches and patterned cobblestones greeted me. Unsure, I walked towards a couple of bulletin boards. To my relief, the pinned notices settled it. I was in the right place!
I walked up to the reception. Yes, they have a reception-cum-ticket-counter. I bought my way in. And a huge circular chamber greeted me.
Inside the Rock Church
My eyes took in all. The gigantic copper dome. The white concrete ribs forming a ring-shaped skylight around the dome. An impressive organ. And rows of padded pews with pink trims. And then I spotted a balcony. The photographer in me had me climb up. And voila, what a view I got!
The three columns of pews arranged in a semi-circle took most space. Yet, I could not take my eyes off the shiny organ on the left. The skylight surrounding the dome was dramatic. But even more dramatic was the exposed rock the church was hewn out of. The Rock Church left me speechless!
How they built the Rock Church
The city selected the plot of land in 1930. They held a design competition for building the church. The plan by J S Siren won. Beginning of World War-II interrupted the work in early stages. After the war, the city held another competition. Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen won it in 1961. The construction finally started in 1968 and the church was ready in 1969.
The entire church was excavated out of solid rock. Its walls are rough, unworked rock surfaces. This unfinished-looking interior gives it character as well as excellent acoustics. Little wonder it is a popular venue for concerts.
Another remarkable feature of this church is the organ. This impressive fixture has 3001 pipes. Today, over half a million people visit it annually. It is Helsinki’s most popular tourist attraction. Considering its design and its visitor pull, it qualifies as a unique landmark of our planet!
The Church really looks very enormous and gigantic. I am awestruck by your photography skills! I must say you are a wonderful photographer! I will surely visit this church one day and also share this wonderful post with my relatives and friends. Thank you for posting this amazing post.
Glad you liked it, Kanika! Yes, the church is gigantic! Do visit. Well-worth it!