Tour of 12 Churches
Explore church buildings!
If you are interested in church architecture, there’s plenty to see along the Torne River. Get to know the local cultural heritage and see churches on both sides of the river in Finland and Sweden. Make sure you visit at least these!
- Alatornio chruch in Tornio is one of the most magnificent 18th century stone churches in Finland. The tower of the church houses a triangulation station of Struve – one of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites.
- Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is located in the centre of Tornio.
- Haparanda’s modern church was completed in 1967 to replace its burnt predecessor. With a steel frame and copper cladding it represents functionalism.
- Karl Gustav’s church is located in Karungi in Sweden. It was taken into use already in 1796. They say that when Finland and Sweden were still one nation, the people from the eastern shores entered the church through a door by the river side.
- Karungi church in Finland was completed in 1817 less than 10 years after the new border was drawn.
- Särkilahti church in Övertorneå is a rare new church building. It was built following the design of the old 400-year-old church that was destroyed in a flood.
- Hietaniemi church is located in the village of Hedenäset in Övertorneå. There is a story about a missing church bell that was found 200 years later.
- Matarengi church in Övertorneå is a beautiful, well-preserved wooden church. The restoration work has aspired to maintain the 18th century style and colours.
- The pink Svanstein church is situated in the idyllic village of Svanstein in Sweden (across the river from Turtola in Finland).
- You might need warm clothing when you visit Kolarinsaari old church as there is no heating, neither lights nor water. This square-shaped old beauty is protected under the Built Heritage Act.
- Karesuando church in Kiruna is the northernmost church in Sweden. It was completed in 1905.
- Enontekiö/Hetta church was completed in 1952 and replaced a church destroyed during the war. The building project was mostly financed by Lutherans in the USA.
