Church of the Holy Cross, Rauma
| Church of the Holy Cross | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Rauma, Finland |
| Coordinates | 61°07′47″N 21°30′44″E / 61.12972°N 21.51222°ECoordinates: 61°07′47″N 21°30′44″E / 61.12972°N 21.51222°E |
| Construction started | 1515 |
| Completed | 1520 |
The Church of the Holy Cross (Finnish: Pyhän Ristin kirkko) is a medieval fieldstone church in Rauma, Finland. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. Church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).
Church of the Holy Cross was built as a monastery church by the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The exact age is unknown, but historians assume it was completed in 1515–1520. The monastery was established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on the same location around year 1420. Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538. It was abandoned for hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded on the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established in 1640 as the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.[1]
Two-aisle church is made of grey granite. The choir features fresco-secco style murals representing Salvation History. Paintings are from the period of bishop Arvid Kurck, 1510–1522.[2] Bell tower was built in 1816. It was made of stones from the ruins of Holy Trinity Church. The white steeple used to serve as a landmark for seafarers.[3]
References
- ↑ UNESCO World Heritage List Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ↑ Rauman Pyhän Ristin kirkko (in Finnish). Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ↑ Rauma Town Retrieved 17 September 2013.
External links
- Church of the Holy Cross during centuries (in Finnish)
Media related to Church of the Holy Cross, Rauma at Wikimedia Commons