Porvoo Cathedral

Porvoo Cathedral tickets: which one to buy

Porvoo Cathedral stands on a hill above the old town of Porvoo, a small city on the southern coast of Finland about fifty kilometres east of Helsinki, and entry is free when the church is open. It is a Lutheran cathedral, the seat of the Swedish-speaking diocese of Borgå, and one of the most important historic buildings in Finland. Porvoo is an easy day trip from Helsinki by bus, in about an hour, or by boat along the coast in summer, a slower and more scenic journey.

The cathedral is the natural starting point for exploring Old Porvoo, with its cobbled lanes, wooden houses painted in pastel colours, the red shore warehouses along the river, craft shops and cafés, and the Runeberg house, the home of Finland's national poet. Visitors should taste the Runeberg torte, a local cake associated with the poet. The cathedral is active, with services and concerts, and it may be closed to visitors during weddings and funerals, especially on summer Saturdays. The view of the old town from the bridge over the river is the classic image of Porvoo.

Visiting Porvoo Cathedral: what to see

A wooden church stood here in the thirteenth century, and the present stone church was built in the fifteenth century, although it was damaged many times by fires and wars and rebuilt with a steep roof and a separate bell tower. Its exterior has plain grey stone walls and a decorated brick gable, typical of medieval churches in Finland. In 1809, after Finland was taken from Sweden by Russia, Tsar Alexander I opened the Diet of Porvoo in the cathedral, where the estates of Finland swore loyalty to him and he promised to respect their laws and religion;

this event is regarded as the beginning of Finland as an autonomous state. In May 2006 the cathedral was set on fire by an arsonist, and its roof burned and collapsed, but the stone walls and most of the interior survived. The church was restored and reopened in 2008. Inside, the cathedral has medieval wall paintings, an ornate eighteenth-century pulpit, a large organ and tombstones of local families. The new roof was covered with hand-cut wooden shingles tarred in the traditional way. The churchyard is surrounded by old trees and a stone wall, and the bell tower stands apart from the church, as is common in Finland.

Porvoo Cathedral opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is usually open daily from May to September, with shorter hours in winter, when it may be open only on certain days. Summer is the best season for Porvoo, with long days, boat trips from Helsinki and outdoor cafés by the river. Christmas brings markets and lights to the old town. Runeberg Day on 5 February is celebrated with the torte. Winters are cold and dark, but the snowy old town is beautiful. Allow about half an hour for the cathedral, and spend a few hours wandering Old Porvoo.