You might have spotted the Kallio church from afar but not given it another thought. In fact, it’s a beautiful church with an interesting history, so it’s worth taking another look. My colleagues and I had the unique opportunity of going up the tower to see the magnificent views of Helsinki from above the rooftops.
Building the church started in 1908 and it was completed in 1912 – the building style representing romantic nationalism. The church was designed by Lars Sonck, who also designed the Mikael Agricola church in Helsinki and other churches around the country. It is interesting to know that the whole neighbourhood helped in constructing the impressive granite building . This meant lugging huge boulders of rock up the hill.
The church is 65 meters high from ground and 94 meters high from sea level to the highest point of the cross.
The Kallio church is has great acoustics, thus it is often used as a concert venue. I have attended one Christmas concert there and it was very ambient. There are seats for 1100 people.
There is a wooden crucifix behind that lamp but I failed to photograph it.
As you can see, the altar was made of stone, to match the outside of the church. The altarpiece is from 1956 and it is made of wood. The artist, Hannes Autere, used the people living in Kallio as models.
When I attended a Christmas concert here, I sat in one of these balconies.
The decorations above the windows look their best when candles are lighted underneath.
It’s great to see that churches are modernizing the way they work – there was a corner for children to play during services.
Something very unique about this church – even for Finland – is the columbarium in the basement. There are actual urns there (2500 at one time) but there is also a special rock grave, into which ashes can be placed. You cannot visit, as it’s only accessible for loved ones when an urn is placed there. On the back walls of the church, you can see the memorial wall, on which the names of those whose urns are stored in the church can be seen.
And then, it was time to start our climb to the tower.
It’s not for the fainthearted.
Three from our group had to turn back, as it got too scary.
There are seven bronze bells in the tower. You can hear them everyday at midday and 6 pm. I used to work in this area and I have no recollection of the church bells ringing!
Up in the tower, there are four doors, each leading to their own balcony.
The views are probably the best in Helsinki.
It’s fun to look at what’s going on down below.
Now this photo below shows you very well how the church ends the longest straight street axis in Helsinki. There’s a laser beam from the church tower to the other end in winter, so keep a lookout for that.
Spot the cute rooftop terrace with red chairs!
Silja Line in the distance.
Workers on the roof.
That’s the fire station down there.
The jugend building with orange roofs is the Kallio library from 1912. If you are in the area, pop in to see it inside.
Can you see the rollercoaster on the right? That’s Linnanmäki amusement park.
The Helsinki cathedral on the left and St John’s church on the right – in the distance.
Interesting fact – the church tower was used for air surveillance during the World War II. Also, the church was the initial point for land surveying in Finland till the 1970s. This plaque below indicates that.
After our little tour, we walked to the area known as Tokoinranta. Here the bay is so shallow that only motorboats can enter.
You can find a modern restaurant there called Café Piritta. They have a nice terrace facing the bay which basks in the sunshine all day long.
Not a bad sight at all.
Unfortunately this area is known for the fact that drunks like to hang around there, so some people may shy of going. I would still recommend you do, as it’s nice to walk around the bay and the café’s terrace is lovely.
People in Finland really love sunshine!
I know many of you will now be wanting to visit the tower. Unfortunately it’s not a tourist attraction so you must make a special appointment to visit. This can be done by contacting the congregation, for example by email well in advance. It took me months to arrange the visit! It could be that no-one is available to take you, as the staff working there do it on top of their daily work. Also, it’s good to know that there’s no safety netting or such. If you are afraid of heights I cannot recommend you even try, as the stairs in themselves are quite terrifying.
Have you had a chance to see Helsinki from above? Where was it?
xx
The Life and Travels of Mrs Suvi 
Is it free to go on the roof top at kallio church ?
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Hi Quentin! Yes, it’s free but the thing is that you can’t just go up as it’s not a tourist attraction. You have to arrange a visit with the staff of the church beforehand.
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wow, that shot of the kids playground seen from above, that looks so awesome… Helsinki seems like a very green city, with lots of trees and grass areas… such a wonderful feeling about it… it looks lovely seen through your eyes 🙂
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Thanks Alexandra! I really love Helsinki. I didn’t appreciate it when I was younger. It’s small and compact and I guess you’re right, there’s a lot of green too!
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What an amazing view! Helsinki is truly beautiful. But What I’m curious to know is if you ever had the chance to hear the church’s organ? I bet it must be beautiful, and with such history, the church must have a professional to play it.
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No unfortunately I have not heard the church’s organ! Maybe one day 🙂
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Wow, such wonderful views! I don’t know if I would have time to coordinate a chance to go up- I might have to settle with the sky wheel 😊
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The Sky Wheel is a good option too! 🙂
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This is wonderful! Thank you 🙂
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I am happy you liked it Patricia ☺
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Oh, and I suppose they don’t have an elevator up to the top? (probably not, considering it’s not a tourist attraction). When I was in Hamburg at St. Michael’s Church, I tried going up the stairs to the top of the clock tower but very quickly turned around because of my fear of heights. I was really upset because I had paid to get to the top and really wanted to see it, until I realized that there was also an elevator that went there. Whew! Mission was accomplished despite my fear of heights.
The pictures you got at the top are absolutely lovely, though! It sure looks like a lovely view and what a gorgeous day!
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Good thing you got to go up with the elevator!! It would’ve been a bummer to miss the view. There was none at the Kallio church. Apparently once the fire brigade had to come and rescue someone from the top as she was too afraid to go back down! I would not have wanted to be that person 😌
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What an interesting place to visit and you were so lucky with the weather for those amazing views, so nice to see.
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Yes we were very lucky, the view would’ve looked quite different if it had rained. 😌
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What a great view of the city! I did the sky wheel last year. That is not bad.
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I like the wheel too, that’s a good alternative! Thank you for reading Debra 💞
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This Kallio church is among the most beautiful churches in Finland.
We make a good couple here, you are in great cities and I have countryside pictures, so visitors are able to see both sides of Finland.
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Yea that is true! I love your countryside photography 💞🌸
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Thank you, Suvi. And I like you city views from high places, over the roofs.
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Fantastic, I did not even know that you can actually climb the tower. But makes perfect sence as the views are so stunning.
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I too saw this on a blog and got excited to go up. It was worth the hassle of organizing it 😌
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I might give this a try as well, let’s see how it goes…I am horribly afraif of hights though.
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If you are afraid of heights maybe you should give it a miss, the last bit of stairs are quite creaky and freaky! 🙄
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Great set of photos.
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Thanks Stuart, with views like this it’s easy 😎
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