Suomenlinna Church, Helsinki Travel Guide

4.3 (512)

Explore a unique landmark in Suomenlinna: a historic church that also serves as a guiding lighthouse for maritime and air traffic.

Home
Travel Guides
Finland
Helsinki
Suomenlinna Church

Originally an Orthodox garrison church built in 1854 for Russian troops, Suomenlinna Church was transformed into an Evangelical Lutheran church after Finland's independence. Today, it serves as both a place of worship and a unique lighthouse, guiding ships and aircraft with its distinctive light signal.

A brief summary to Suomenlinna Church

C 43, Helsinki, 00190, FI
Click to display
Click to display

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

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Suomenlinna Church.

Check the church's opening hours in advance, especially if you plan to attend a service.
Take the Blue Route from the main pier to easily find the church and other attractions in Suomenlinna.
Consider visiting during the first Sunday of the month at 2 PM to attend mass.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Suomenlinna

Esplanadi

Flatiron House of Helsinki Vuorimiehenkatu 4.

Vanhankaupunginkoski

The Shipwrecked

Explore Suomenlinna Church on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Suomenlinna Church, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From Suomenlinna's main pier, the church is approximately 200 meters away. Follow the Blue Route, marked with blue signs, which leads directly to the church. The walk is relatively short and straightforward.
Public Transport

During the summer (May to September), a water bus operates to Tykistölahden pier, which is about 300 meters from the church. From the pier, follow the signs to the church. A valid HSL ticket is required. A single ticket for zone A, covering the journey from Helsinki to Suomenlinna, costs €3.

Discover more about Suomenlinna Church

Suomenlinna Church, located on the island of Iso Mustasaari within the Suomenlinna sea fortress, boasts a rich history and unique dual function. Constructed in 1854 as an Eastern Orthodox garrison church for the Russian troops stationed at Suomenlinna, it was dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky. The church was designed by Konstantin Thon, a prominent Russian architect. The Alexander Nevsky Church originally featured five onion domes and a large church bell cast in Moscow in 1885.Following Finland's independence in 1917, the church was converted into an Evangelical Lutheran church in a symbolic gesture. During renovations in the 1920s, the four smaller onion domes were removed, and the church's design was modified to reflect Finnish culture. In 1929, the central dome was repurposed as a lighthouse, making it one of the few churches in the world to serve this dual role. The lighthouse's signal blink pattern is the Morse code for the letter "H" for Helsinki.Today, Suomenlinna Church stands as a testament to Finland's history and resilience. It continues to serve as a place of worship, with services held in Finnish. Visitors can explore the church's interior and admire its unique architecture, which blends elements of both Orthodox and Lutheran traditions. The church's tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands and the Helsinki skyline. The church is surrounded by a fence constructed from cannons and chains.