Favourite Buildings Visited - Temppeliaukio Kirkko, Helsinki, Finland...

First time visitors usually stumble upon, rather than consciously locate, the discrete entrance of the Temppeliaukion Kirkko, (Temple-square Church) which inhabits the middle of a residential square in central Helsinki, Finland. Carved/ excavated out of (into) rock, the place has, when stepping through the somewhat confined entrance gate, a cave-like ambiance which, as one proceeds through its low roofed lobby, is suddenly alleviated by imbued light and shadow patterns that stream through the ribbed beams flanking the cylindrical space's shallow, copper strand covered, dome. The rough granite walls are apparently a key contributor to the church's excellent acoustics. The furnishings are ascetic, simple, and use primary materials such as wood, steel, concrete, and bronze.

It was designed by the architect brothers Suomalainen and was opened to the public in 1969.

The Church's discrete entrance...

View of the 'paino nobile' (or 'bleachers') above the entrance hall...

The spun, semi-reflective, copper ceiling...

The irregular junction between the dome's concrete ribs and the cylindrical granite cavity...

Shadow patterns on the central passage...

The ascetic altar...

Two young visitors lighting candles in memory of their great-grandmothers...

Exterior view of the dome...