Isonkyrön medieval church reopens after major restoration

Isonkyrön medieval stone church in South Ostrobothnia has reopened after a five-year restoration, just in time for Midsummer weekend, Yle reports.

The 16th-century church, one of Finland’s few well-preserved medieval stone churches, has undergone essential repairs, including floor restoration and improved ventilation. External work prevents moisture buildup beneath the floor, safeguarding the structure and its unique 1560s wall paintings, which remained undamaged during the project.

Though the church is now accessible to the public on summer weekends, conservation work on the wall paintings and wooden sculptures will continue. Specialists will assess and clean the artworks using delicate tools like ostrich-feather brushes and goat-hair brushes.

Museum Agency specialist Maarit Mannila emphasized that medieval churches require ongoing maintenance. The latest repairs, though necessary, are part of centuries of upkeep. Due to the building’s protected status and fragile materials, work was limited to a few months each year, avoiding heavy equipment, heating, or bright lighting to prevent damage.

Seurakunta financial manager Maria Tirkkonen noted the care taken to avoid harm, such as using LED lights instead of halogen. The goal was to preserve the church’s familiar character while addressing structural needs.

The church, built between 1513 and 1533, is legally protected under both church and antiquities laws. Its wall paintings, uncovered in the late 19th century, were last conserved in the 1980s.