Holiday in Savo 2023

The Old Church of Pieksämäki & Bell Tower

The Old Church of Pieksämäki was designed by August Sorsa and completed in 1753. It’s one of the oldest existing wooden churches in Eastern Finland. The adjacent bell tower, also designed by Sorsa, was completed in 1746. Mikael Toppelius’ paintings in the church. Kirkkotie 31, Pieksämäki, tel. +358 50 381 9642 www.pieksamaenseurakunta.fi The Pieksämäki Parish also oversees the New Church at Keskuskatu 27, as well as the churches of Jäppilä, Virtasalmi, and Vaalijala. For Orthodox Christians, there’s also the Pieksämäki Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Vanha Mikkelintie 18, tel. +358 40 702 9744 www.ortsaimaa.net Varkaus Main Church (Evangelical Lutheran) This church was designed by Martti Paalanen and built in 1939. Lennart Segerstråle’s altar fresco Tulkoon sinun valtakuntasi (Thy Kingdom Come) is one of the largest in the Nordics. Savontie 1, tel. +358 40 749 0306 The Main Church is open as a roadside church June– August. Church and fresco tours are available with a reservation. Reservations: tel. +358 40 702 7748. Roadside church opening hours and info: www.tiekirkot.fi Ristikivi Church An open-air church with a unique ambiance at Par taharju. The log-walled forest church doesn’t have a roof, and an ancient cross stone acts as its altar. The church was designed by architect Jussi Lappi-Seppälä. Partaharjukeskus, Partaharjuntie 361, tel. +358 44 725 4124. www.partaharjukeskus.fi Harjuranta Nature Church Located on the 174-meter-high Joenmäenvuori hill, this nature church in Harjuranta is open to the public. Close by, you’ll also find the Peis nature trail and Peis Immonen caves. Harjurannan Kyläyhdistys Built in 1973, this church designed by architect Kai Mikael replaced the old church after a fire. The altar piece Elämän puut (Trees of Life) shows the handi work of sculptor Eeva Ryynänen. Asematie 1, Kangaslampi, tel. +358 40 737 0684 www.varkaudenseurakunta.fi The Orthodox Church of Varkaus, Saimaa Orthodox Parish Designed by architect Kalevi Väyrynen. Dedicated to www.harjuranta.blogspot.fi Kangaslampi Church

ATTRACTIONS AND CULTURE

St. Georgios Church

Churches The Church of St. George the Victorious A gem of northern Orthodox architecture, this church has been a popular destination for tourists and pil grims for some years. In summer, the church is open Thursday–Sunday every week, at other times only during divine service and with a reservation. Guided garden tours are available in July–August. In summer, you can enjoy the church café’s delicacies and a cup of coffee or glass of sparkling wine while admiring the view of the church and surrounding nature. The café also sells organic honey from the church’s flower garden. Kaitaistentie 345, tel. +358 44 725 7548. www.stgeorge.fi The Church of Joroinen & Bell Tower This wooden, cross-shaped church was built in the 1700s, and its altarpiece was made by Pekka Halonen, a renowned Savonian artist. In summer, the church Located at the town center of Leppävirta, this stone church designed by C.L. Engel was put into service in 1846. The neoclassical-style church seats 2,200 people, and its two-part altarpiece was painted by Samuel Elmgren. The Leppävirta church is known for its am ple light and great acoustics. In summer, the church serves as a roadside church. Kirkkokaari 1, tel. +358 40 187 2226 www.leppavirranseurakunta.fi serves as a roadside church. www.joroistenseurakunta.fi Leppävirta Church

the memory of the Feast of the Ascension. Relanderinkatu 5, tel. +358 40 502 1838 www.ortsaimaa.net

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Holiday in Savo // JOROINEN • LEPPÄVIRTA • PIEKSÄMÄKI • VARKAUS