Petäjäveden vanha kirkko

About the museum

Petäjäveden vanha kirkko was built in 1763–1765 by peasants from Central Finland, to the plans of church builder Jaakko Klemetinpoika Leppänen. The floor, walls and steep shingled roof were completed in summer 1763, the interior in 1764 and the windows the following year. The bell tower and the connecting gallery were added in 1821 under the direction of Erkki Jaakonpoika Leppänen, Jaakko's grandson.

The church fell out of daily use in 1879, when a new church was completed on the opposite shore of Kirkkolahti bay. However, the old church was never formally taken out of use: the bells remained in the tower, and the churchyard continued to be used. The building has been looked after as a monument since the 1920s, and Museovirasto (the Finnish Heritage Agency) took over the supervision of restoration work in the 1950s. UNESCO inscribed the church as a World Heritage Site in 1994 as an outstanding example of Nordic wooden church architecture and log construction.

The World Heritage Site also includes the churchyard and the Lemettilä farm, which has been inhabited since the 17th century. The church is still used, especially in summer, for concerts, weddings, baptisms and services. A foundation established in 2001 looks after the protection, restoration and guided visits of the church and its surroundings; the church building is owned by the Petäjävesi parish.

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994
• Log church designed by Jaakko Klemetinpoika Leppänen, built 1763–1765
• Bell tower and connecting gallery from 1821
• The churchyard and the Lemettilä farm are part of the site
• A guided tour of about 30 minutes is included in the summer admission ticket

Founded

1765

Operated by

Petäjäveden Vanhan Kirkon säätiö

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to the summer season, and the admission fee includes a guided tour of about 30 minutes. In winter, the maximum price for university student groups is €100 and for school groups €30. Tickets are bought online or on site; accepted payment methods are cash as well as bank and credit cards.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The church is not accessible: the floors are not completely level, the thresholds are high and the outdoor steps are steep, and wheelchair users cannot enter the church. People with reduced mobility can drive closer to the church from the north via Siltatie. One of the courtyard toilets is wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The church has no indoor toilet; in summer there are toilets in the yard. Café and restaurant services are available in the centre of Petäjävesi, and you may eat your own food on the church steps or in the yard.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit