Helsinki's UFO

The ‘Tempellaukio Church’ in Helsinki, is build in a granite rock which is typical for the peninsula of Finland. Of the sixty churches, which are mostly Lutheran, the Tempellaukio is the most frequently visited church in the capital. The parish church in the Töölö district was designed by the brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. They won a competition in 1961, after which the work was ready to commence in 1969 under loud protest by the neighborhood. This was because the local park was going to be lost during the first phase. So it was decided to build the church underground, in order to save the green areas. A crater was blown into the granite rock using dynamite. A round roof made from copper was placed on top of this, which has made the church look like a just landed UFO when looking at it from above. The altar has been placed in such a way that the sun hits the altar wall perfectly during the summer services. The church is also often used for concerts as a result of its excellent
acoustics.

More info at www.hel.fi