The church of Kerimäki

The church of Kerimäki (Kerimäen kirkko); the world's largest wooden church

On a beautiful sunny and warm day before going to see an opera performance in Savonlinna opera festival, we decided to visit the Kerimäki church first. It was indeed a good idea to see the church again with the blue sky, and the pretty yellow colour of the church was more pronounced under the sun. 

There were families with children, elderly people and some tourists taking photos and enjoying the view of the church both from inside and outside. We also enjoyed talking about the particular wooden material and the colours inside the church as well as the colourful lights, benches, simplicity of the church but at the same time artistic, peaceful and serene. 

The Christian wooden church of Kerimäki situated in Savonlinna

The Finnish architect A.F. Granstedt is the person who designed the biggest wooden church in the world and it is situated in the charming city of Savonlinna. The building was made ready in 1847 in the small village of Kerimäki. 

There is the famous Savonlinna Opera Festival held in July each year and usually people who go to the opera festival, would go to visit Lake Saimaa and surrounding as well. Therefore Kerimäki church is among the popular places and considered a destination worth visiting too. 

The church is very large inside, it is the most spacious and roomy church in Finland.  Originally the design was also made in such a way to fit 5000 people, and includes a large and beautiful organ as well. 

The reason behind building such a huge church

People are usually curious about the size of the church, and would ask why such a large church has been constructed? And what would have been the main reason for creating such a vast and roomy place?

The answer resides in the opinion of the Rev. Fredrik Neovius who held the office in the 1840s. He wanted that half of the people of the parish would be able to attend the religious service at the same time and therefore enough space should be available for the residents.  

Kerimäki church open in summer time

The church is mainly open during the summer for the public and people from all over the world go to visit the church, and it holds events such as religious services, concerts, weddings, and festivals as well. During the year the church is closed except for special occasions and Christmas time. 

The reason is because in colder winter time the church can not be heated, and the church does not have a modern permanent heating system. The church is very large and obviously keeping it warm and maintaining it demands a large cost as well. However people enjoy the cosy and warm atmosphere which is created inside the church even on colder winter days by turning on the numerous candles. 

Enjoy Lake Saimaa

Since the Kerimäki church is situated in the city of Savonlinna with the surrounding of charming Lake Saimaa, people like to spend more time in that area and also have some sightseeing of nature. 

Some people like to enjoy the opera performance of Savonlinna, and eat Lörtsy, a delicacy from Savonlinna as well. 

If you have never tried Lörtsy, certainly it is worth looking for it and enjoy this tasty dish in both savoury and sweet versions as well.