St. Michael (Korpo)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Michael in Korpo , a district of Pargas in the Finnish countryside of Varsinais-Suomi , is one of the oldest in Finland. It is dedicated to the Archangel Michael . Work on the church may have started as early as the 13th century. They were completed around 1450 with the vaulting of the ceiling. The roof has been rebuilt several times, as has the furnishings. In 1952/53 the interior of the church was restored to what it was believed to have looked like in the 17th century.
Interior
Rood screen
The interior of the church is dominated by a rood screen. It is located between the nave and the choir . The rood screen is likely to be unique in Finland and Northern Europe. It could have served as a pulpit in the 15th century.
Vault paintings
The paintings in the vault date from the late half of the 15th century. They describe the struggle between good and evil. Among the motifs you can see some images of saints, ships and possibly also pagan symbols.
Winged altar
The three-part winged altar shows how Jesus is removed from the cross. His arms are supported by Mary and Mary Magdalene on one side and by some disciples on the other. The body is given to Joseph of Arimathea . On the left we see Sankt Erik , on the right St. Göran . In the side altars are evangelists and saints, u. a. Jesus' disciples Johannes , St. Barbara and St. Birgitta .
pulpit
The pulpit from 1646 is on the south wall of the church, which is unusual. The reason could be that daylight is entering through a window.
Pews
The pews date from the 17th and 18th centuries. They are attached with hooks to allow burials under the church floor. The doors are numbered but arranged in a random order.
Sculptures
- Madonna and Child on the north wall behind the main entrance
- Catherine of Alexandria in the center in a niche on the north wall
- Saint Olof
- Saint George
- archangel Michael
literature
- Saint Michael Church Korpo - Korpoo, leaflet church guide
Web links
Coordinates: 60 ° 9 ′ 46 ″ N , 21 ° 33 ′ 47.8 ″ E