The Beautiful Rock Church in Helsinki: Tempperliaukio Church

This has got to be one of my beautiful architectural and design finds in Finland: The Tempperliaukio Church otherwise known as The Rock Church.

Designed by architects and brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, this beautiful and one-of-a-kind Lutheran Church opened its doors and services to its congregation in 1969.

Tempperliaukio Church
Website: Rock Church (Tempperliaukio) | Address: Lutherinkatu 3

The interior of the church is carved out of a massive solid rock and its day lighting is sourced from natural sunlight coming through the open and lateral concrete beams design of the lower part of the glazed copper dome ceiling. This design actually follows the sun and when the church delivers its service in the morning, the altar is bathed in natural sun or day light.

Pretty cool huh? Which somehow reminds me of a similar principle of the El Castillo at Chitzen Itza in Mexico that I visited years ago. Read here: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Chichen Itza

Now the walls are kept rugged reminding us that this church is indeed carved out from the rock. It does give some sort of significance to the Christian world when Jesus said to Peter, â€˜Upon this rock I will build my church.â€™ I am sure that could be any rock.

You can also just imagine the acoustics quality of this place which is the reason why the church sometimes function as a concert venue.

Before the large crowds arrived… but a sign on the door says the church will open an hour later. So I am off somewhere first for my late breakfast =)

When I came back an hour and a half later, I was greeted with activity.

This is what greeted me when I went inside.

The altar of the church.

I am not sure about the exact opening times of this church but do check the link I posted and act/research accordingly. When I went there at 10: 30 the church was not open and there were crowds waiting outside. There was a sign on the door that the church will be open an hour later. I came back at 12:00 and indeed it was open.

The church is not charging entrance fees. I know, that would have been ridiculous but we never know these days because in Italy and Spain, the bigger, beautiful and popular the church is, the higher the chance they do charge. We live in different times.

Rock Church is not a far walk from the city centre. It is just a straight walk from the central railway station. Just get the address and locate it on the map and youâ€™re good.