Church of St. Olaf, Jomala

The church of Jomala is a medieval stone church in the community Jomala in the autonomous Finnish province of Åland. It is dedicated to Saint Olav, was built in the period 1275-1285. Thus, it is probably the oldest preserved church and also the oldest stone building in Finland. Your current shape was the church when it was enlarged and rebuilt in the 19th century.

History

Coins found that were made in 1961 during archaeological excavations in the church of Jomala suggest that in the same place, a wooden predecessor was built in the early 13th century. Based on dendrochronological studies and architectural history criteria can be nave, dating church tower and choir of the stone church on the period 1275-1285. A vestry and porch were probably cultivated in the 15th century. In the 16th or 17th century the tower was increased. He received his present form in 1749, after the old spire was destroyed by a storm.

In the 19th century the church was substantially rebuilt Jomala. Between 1820 and 1840, the church received a northern and a southern cross arm, the medieval choir, the east wall of the nave and sacristy and porch were demolished. 1843 walls and roof of the nave were lowered, 1884, the medieval vaults demolished. With the installation of a new sacristy of the reconstruction was completed in 1899.

Architecture

The church of Jomala is built from local red Rapakiwi granite. In its present form it has an unusual T-shaped floor plan, consisting of a short and wide nave and a broad cross arm in the east. In the nave, the 52 meter high west tower closes on whose ground floor is connected by an ogival opening with the church interior. At the east end of the nave there is a vestry with a separate entrance. The church tower and the nave are medieval in their buildings and stand out clearly from the historic 19th century elements from. As the only Church of Finland can be the church of Jomala clearly attribute the style of the Romanesque. Also, the original medieval ground plan of the church was unusual, as to stand out the proportions of the nave and the tower of the remaining Åland and Finnish churches.

Interior

The medieval parts of the church were decorated shortly after completion of construction with early Gothic secco paintings of high artistic value. The paintings were probably exposed but painted over in the 1930s, again in the 17th century. Best is a series of pictures on the wall between the tower and the nave, which is the story of the prodigal son in four images. During archaeological excavations in the church numerous fragments were recovered from medieval stained glass. It is the oldest known stained glass in Finland. For medieval architectural decoration of the church includes a preserved on a wall between the tower and the nave in situ limestone sculpture from the late 13th century, depicting the face of a man. The limestone sculpture of an animal's head is now kept in the museum Åland.

To the church inventory includes some valuable medieval wooden sculptures. Their oldest is a crucifix from the early 14th century. Somewhat younger are a Westphalian Marie -portrait from the time 1320-1350, and a sculpture of Saint Anne, which was created in 1400 in Lübeck. In the tower there is a product from Gotland font from the 13th century.