Wow, What a Place! – The Old Church of Petäjävesi

We’re so glad we checked the opening hours while driving toward Multia — because the church was closed on Midsummer’s Eve, which happened to be our Petäjävesi adventure day. So instead, we stopped ahead of schedule — and thank goodness we did!

We parked along the roadside and walked across a small bridge toward the church. As we got closer, the church slowly revealed itself from the midst of nature — and all we could say was: WOW. This is the kind of place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Even the kids were amazed by the church’s unique look and its striking, almost noble presence.

Our son Jaiden got to unlock the massive wooden door using a big old key — an exciting moment in itself! Inside, we were warmly welcomed by a guide who shared the church’s rich history, unique design details, and the stories behind its art.

For example: the floorboards are loose — in the past, bodies were placed underneath them during winter to wait for burial when the ground thawed.
And the decorations on the walls and ceilings? Painted with red ochre and still original, untouched by time.

⛪ Architecture Full of Mystery

The church's shapes and styles sparked curiosity. To this day, no one knows exactly where the local builders drew their inspiration for the Gothic forms, angled walls, and other unexpected features. It was constructed between 1763–1765 by local peasants, based on plans by master church builder Jaakko Klemetinpoika Leppänen.

🪵 Why Has It Survived So Well?

The old church was taken out of regular use in 1879, when a new church was built just across the water in Petäjävesi. (We visited that one too — and honestly wondered: why build a new one when this one is so magnificent? Maybe it was too small, or someone wanted to showcase their building skills — who knows!)

Because it wasn’t used for over 100 years, the old church was left untouched — and that’s exactly why it has remained so authentically preserved.

In 1994, the Old Church of Petäjävesi was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a rare and exceptional example of Nordic wooden church architecture and traditional log construction. A well-deserved recognition!

Today, the church hosts concerts and events, as well as family gatherings and occasional religious ceremonies.

🕯️ And Around the Church…

We also walked through the surrounding old cemetery, which is equally fascinating and moving. An estimated 9,400 people have been buried there, with the most recent burials taking place in 2009.

So if you ever find yourself driving through, past, or deliberately toward Petäjävesi — stop.
Breathe in the quiet, the history, and the beauty.
You won’t regret it.

We only share locations, where we have been exploring and visiting as a family of 10, you get very special things in our website!

https://www.savolaisetseikkailee.fi/l/petajaveden-vanha-kirkko/