Background

Suomenlinna Church: A Beacon of History and Faith

A historic church on Suomenlinna, serving as both a place of worship and a unique lighthouse guiding ships and planes to Helsinki.

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Originally an Orthodox garrison church built in 1854 for Russian troops, Suomenlinna Church was transformed into an Evangelical Lutheran church in the 1920s following Finland's independence. Today, it stands as a unique landmark, serving both as a place of worship and a functioning lighthouse guiding air and sea traffic.

A brief summary to Suomenlinna Church

  • Thursday 12 pm-4 pm
  • Friday 12 pm-4 pm
  • Saturday 12 pm-4 pm

Local tips

  • Check the church's opening hours, especially if you wish to attend a service; mass is typically held on the first Sunday of the month at 2 PM.
  • Take the time to explore the surrounding Suomenlinna fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich history and numerous attractions.
  • Look for the Morse code signal blink from the lighthouse, representing the letter "H" for Helsinki.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the main ferry pier in Suomenlinna, the church is approximately a 15-minute walk. Follow the Blue Route, which is marked with blue signs, through the fortress. The route passes the Suomenlinna Visitor Center and other historical buildings. Note that the terrain in Suomenlinna can be uneven, with cobblestone and gravel paths. An accessible route is available, though not signposted, and assistance may be needed.

  • Public Transport

    Take the HSL ferry from Kauppatori (Market Square) in Helsinki to Suomenlinna. The ferry operates year-round, with departures every 20-40 minutes. A single ticket costs €3 and is valid for 80 minutes within Helsinki's Zone A, allowing for the transfer and exploration of Suomenlinna. Alternatively, during the summer months (May to September), a water bus operates from the Market Square to Tykistölahti pier, which is about 300 meters from the church. Note that HSL tickets are not valid on the water bus.

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Discover more about Suomenlinna Church

Suomenlinna Church, located on the island of Iso Mustasaari within the Suomenlinna sea fortress, boasts a rich and fascinating history. Constructed in 1854 as an Eastern Orthodox garrison church for the Russian troops stationed at the fortress, it was dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky. The church was designed by Konstantin Thon, a prominent Russian architect, and originally featured five onion domes, a perimeter fence made of cannons and chains, and Finland's largest church bell. Following Finland's independence in 1917, the church underwent a significant transformation. In the 1920s, it was converted into an Evangelical Lutheran church as a symbol of the nation's newfound sovereignty. The onion domes were removed, and the church's design was modernized to better reflect Finnish culture. A design competition was won by architect Einar Sjöström, with the work completed by Jarl Eklund after Sjöström's death. In 1929, the church was reconsecrated, and its central dome was ingeniously repurposed as a lighthouse. The lighthouse, known as the Harmaja Range Rear light, works in tandem with the Harmaja lighthouse in the Gulf of Finland. The signal blink, four consecutive flashes, represents the Morse code for the letter "H" for Helsinki. Today, Suomenlinna Church stands as one of the few churches in the world with this dual function, welcoming visitors arriving by sea with its guiding light.

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