坦佩雷大教堂

We went to see Christmas concert in this church. It's a very nice looking church especially from the outside! But after seeing some spectacular churches in Europe, usually Finnish churches don't give me any wow-effects. Only distracting thing in the concert was that from the balcony, you can't see the artist. So I couldn't not see even a climbse from the artist we went to see. Acoustics were very good though so the main thing (listening) was accomplished.

If you like to see unconventional sacred illustration that differs from any other illustrations, visit Tampere Cathedral in Finland. The frescos don’t let you easily off. You’ll be startled and you have to think about the message more deeply by going into 1.Genesis 3:15. Think about that frescos were painted by the Finnish symbolist Hugo Simberg already between 1905 and 1906. The paintings aroused scandal of churchgoers in that time, and even to day you have to understand the real message of the pictures. So, look into internet beforehand.The altar-piece painted by an other Finnish symbolist Magnus Enckell makes you think about your own life, too.The Cathedral itself is a Lutheran church. The beautiful building was designed in the National Romantic style by Lars Sonck, and built between 1902 and 1907. Take time for yourself! Marjatta

This architectural National Romantic art-work from 1906 (Lars Sonck) is increadible: the heavy great granit "castle" gives a strong sense of lightness and hope, both outside and inside, in spite of this typical, heavy materials often used in monumental buildings at that time, when art was strongly inspired from Finnish nature and the Kalevala national epic. The altar painting by Magnus Enckell, depicting the resurrection, as well as the rest of the interior decoration and fabulous paintings by Hugo Simberg, add to the sense of caring and giving hope. Absolutely worth visiting - although if you are for a very strict and "literal", biblical interpretation of these themes, you might be a bit surprised - especially thinking that the paintings date from the very early 20th century. Just open your eyes and your mind :)

A huge piece of local history, still active today. Potrays a vision of an era for the future. Stout and powerful image of the religion that ones was.

Visited Tampere on a grey autumn day in October 2014. From the outside the church doesn´t appear very inviting, but I had red some recommendations before, so I gave it it try. Inside it´s somehow simple yet stylish. They windows are lovely and there is some great art-deco decorations on the walls. The contrast of that decotarion and the stone-walls is very strong and brings out the art itself in an interesting way. Worth visiting!

This cathedral is beautiful on the outside and very peaceful inside. Like most Lutheran churches in Finland, it has a very simple interior, if compared with other Catholic churches throughout Europe. Look for their free concerts with the church organ. If you are in the area, it's worth going inside, even if it's just to warm up before continuing with your businesses around Tampere.

My Finnish friends were married here back in May 2009. I have been here twice. It is a lovely cathedral and inside is beautiful. I also visited it again in August 2014.

I am happy to live almost next to my favourite building in whole Tampere. I usually take a lot of my traveling friends there, and they have enjoyed it a lot. This place will propably be in your thoughts later on no matter if you like it or hate it. To understand the symbolism of the architecture, window mosaics and the frescoes, it is worth taking a guided tour or talk with the personnel. You will also hear about the civil war and the 1000 people who stayed inside while the whole town surrounding the church burned to the ground.

Different cathedral as the ones in Helsinki, moderns architecture, formidable paintings, nice building in the city center. Must see one

1. Initial impression: exterior presents formidable "modern" interpretation of a gothic cathedral.2. According to some articles, the artists present their "symbolic art" for interpretation by the viewer. Following is "my interpretation".3. It seems that for this organization, the supreme "being" is the "great deceiver" as presented by the serpent still tempting all with the forbidden fruit at the focal point towering above the congregation. (Although there are crosses within the "sanctuary", these are well below the serpent, i.e. subject to "it".)4. Above the main alter the "dead" are arising; they are apparently zombies. There is no joy as they are moving towards a "light". NO indication they are moving towards the uncreated Light of God (recall that lucifier was once the brightest of angels.)5. To the left of the alter: "death" is having a good time in the "garden of death". No indication that Jesus Christ is the Victor over death, i.e. He had trampled down death with his Death and Resurrection. 6. Upper left is the sentimental painting of apparently wounded & blinded angel (could this represent defeated Heavenly Hosts?) carried by 2 unhappy / dejected - modestly clothed!- boys (i.e. believers?). Again, the red serpent towers above them.7. In addition, the congregation is surrounded by paintings of young naked boys (per pre-internet days ... nowadays we read about persons caught with child porn are sent to jail; and rightly so! ).8. It would be interesting to read hHOW or IF this "cathedral" reflects the the Lutheran "tradition" of "Sola Scriptura" (what would Martin Luther say??).9. If the building was built to stir controversy for its own sake, it "exceeded expectations". If it was an attempt to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it fails most miserably.It was a relief to exit and depart the discomfort felt in that building!! (Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!)

Modern building. Impressive stained glass windows and unusual painting at the altar. It shuts at 5pm

Such an impressive building! Decorated with frescos by famous finnish artists Hugo Simberg and Magnus Enckel (altarpiece). Worth the visit.

This was a very nice Cathedral. It was very interesting. There was a painting around the whole cathedral that was to representing the boys of the town who helped bring the people to the Forrest which was the last place they went before being allowed into heaven. Very interesting!

Tampere Cathedral has the most wonderful paintings of Hugo Simberg. Already 1917 late Simberg is among the best known Finnish symbolist painters. A must place to be quiet for a while.

Beautiful and original. The church is worth seeing both outside and inside. If you want to get the most of it visit it on sunday mornig and see a piece of a lutherian service.