Petäjävesi church roof tarring draws visitors with traditional scent

The smell of fresh tar is drawing visitors to Petäjävesi Old Church, a more than 250-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site where the wooden shingle roof is being re-tarred, according to Finnish broadcaster Yle.

The parish carries out the tarring every three years. Development manager Katriina Koponen of the Old Church Foundation said visitors appreciate the scent and may linger in the church longer to absorb the quiet atmosphere.

“The scent reinforces the authentic feel of the old church,” Koponen told Yle.

The tar is brushed onto the shingles by hand, using domestically produced cremated tar. The parish hopes for dry weather in the coming days, as rain would wash the tar off, according to the report.

Church warden Laura Laitinen said maintaining the building is a top priority for the parish, with roof tarring one of the largest and most routine tasks. Spring is the best season for the job because the structures are driest, Laitinen said.

The work costs 30,000 euros. The Church Council covers 70 percent of the cost, with the Petäjävesi parish paying the remainder.

Petäjävesi Old Church was built in the 1760s and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitor numbers have risen in recent years, with thousands of people visiting annually, including tourists from the United States, Australia, and many Asian countries, as well as architecture students and tour groups.

A visitor centre is being planned near the church to allow it to remain open year-round, Koponen said. Funding has been sought from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.