Lutheran cathedral

Externally, the Cathedral is very similar to St. Isaac’s Cathedral of St. Petersburg. They were even built at the same time – in 1830-1852.

The temple in Helsinki was built at the behest of Emperor Nicholas I and at one time bore the name of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the Russian emperor. And Nicholas II made some adjustments to the project, which made the cathedral so similar to St. Petersburg. He ordered the figures of the twelve apostles to be placed on its roof and a large granite staircase to be built.

But inside these cathedrals are not at all similar. In contrast to the richly painted St. Isaac’s Cathedral by the most eminent artists, the Helsinki Cathedral is Protestantly ascetic. Inside are sculptures of Lutheran figures - Luther, Agricola, Melanchthon. Under the building of the cathedral there is a cross-shaped crypt, which hosts exhibitions and concerts.