Helsinki Cathedral

Helsinki Cathedral, a must-see attraction in Finland, is one of Helsinki's most outstanding landmarks. Its role as the most important Lutheran building in Finland makes it almost comparable to St Peter's in Rome or St Paul's in London.

The cathedral was originally built in 1830-1852 to replace an earlier church dating to 1727. The church was designed by Carl Engel as Greek cruciform in shape. Engel drafted his first plans for the cathedral as early as 1818, and he continued working on this church until his death. After many complications in the planning process, construction of the church began in 1830 but it was not ready to be consecrated until 1852.

The cathedral features external grandeur and is dominated by a high central dome and Corinthian columns on each side. It has a floor plan in the shape of a Greek cross.

Until the independence of Finland in 1917 the cathedral was called St. Nicholas church.

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Location:	Unioninkatu 29 FI-00170 Helsinki
Hours:	Daily 9-18 and in June-August 9-23. On Sundays service at 10.
Phone:	+358-(0)9-2340 6120