Kalevan Kirkko

The Kaleva Church offers a visual counterpart to the more traditional stone churches in the city. The pale yellow walls that the church is known for would reach even higher had the original plan of architect Reima Pietila been wholly executed. On occasion, the extraordinary appearance of the church is still commented on with mixed feelings. Completed in 1966, the church was built for the Congregation of Kaleva, to satisfy the need for a place of worship. The spacious church hall is 30 metres high and 50 metres long. The cross-shaped bell tower on the roof sends out forceful sounds that can be heard surprisingly far away even in the bustle of the city. The exterior of the church is covered with 150,000 bricks.

The church is often presented as a tourist attraction, but it also serves a large and active congregation. Services are held on Sundays and religious holidays at 10am, and often there are smaller gatherings on weekdays.

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• Attraction Type: Religious Buildings

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