Suomenlinna Church: A Beacon of History and Faith
Explore a unique landmark in Suomenlinna: a historic church that also serves as a guiding lighthouse for maritime and air traffic.
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.
Local tips
- 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.
A brief summary to Suomenlinna Church
- C 43, Helsinki, 00190, FI
- +358923406126
- Visit website
- Thursday 12 pm-4 pm
- Friday 12 pm-4 pm
- Saturday 12 pm-4 pm
Getting There
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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.
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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.
