Paltaniemi Church, Kajaani, Finland

First church in Paltaniemi was built in 1599, but it was destroyed by the very unusual earthquake in 1626. The next one was completed in 1665, but again it was destroyed by the Russian forces during the Greath Wrath in 1716. The current wooden church was built in 1726. Probably the oldest artifact inside the Paltainiemi church is the altarpiece from the year 1727. Famous paintings on the ceiling and walls was made by Emanuel Granberg in 1778-1781. The large painting on the rear wall, the “Final Judgement”, was once considered so shocking that the lower portion of the painting was removed – apparently even with an axe in places.

Outside the church are memorials to the Kalevala and the years of famine. The church is open to visitors daily throughout the summer.

Address

Paltaniementie 808-834, Kajaani, Finland

See all sites in Kajaani

Details

Founded: 1726
Category: Religious sites in Finland
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Finland)

More Information

www.oulujarvi.fi

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Kajaani Castle (7,9 km)

Kajaani Church (8,2 km)
Kainuu Museum (8,7 km)

User Reviews

Jari Laitala (5 years ago)
A unique place!

Samu Puuronen (5 years ago)
Nice little church.

Jean Yves Le Ravallec (6 years ago)
Beautiful all-wood church including the roof The interior is decorated with religious scenes painted on the wooden ceiling. Worth the detour.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Paltaniemi Church