Risen from the ashes

Risen from the Ashes

The Church of St. Olaf in Tyrvää

12.5.2010 - 14.11.2010

The church after the fire. Photo: Sakari Mentu. Restoration volunteer Kalevi Saari working on the floor of the porch. Photo: Ulla Rahola.
Interior of Saint Olaf's Church. Photo: Kimmo Räisänen, 2004

The exhibition presents the restoration and reconstruction of the church after it had been destroyed by the arson fire 21 September 1997. This exhibition pays homage to the Evangelical-Lutheran Congregation of Tyrvää (presently Sastamala), which obtained funding to permit the restoration of this historically significant medieval church to its former impressive condition.

Without the dedication, persistence and skill of numerous volunteers this major undertaking could never have been carried out. The present church is an unique total work of art, which has received numerous prizes.

Risen from the Ashes displays old objects and artefacts from the Church of Saint Olaf, which had been moved elsewhere before the fire. The exhibits include the original medieval reredos of the church which is in the collections of the National Museum of Finland, a crucifix possibly dating from the 16th century that had been moved to the new Church of Tyrvää, and a sample of the old shingle roof of the church recovered by the Department of Monuments and Sites of the National Board of Antiquities. The reconstruction and restoration of the church are presented with the aid of photographs, tools and a scale model.

For more information, please contact:
Director General Helena Edgren, tel. (09) 4050 9547 helena.edgren(at)nba.fi, and Exhibition Secretary Hanna Forssell, tel. (09) 4050 9553 hanna.forssell(at)nba.fi

Press Service

Bookings for guided tours:
Tue-Fri 9 a.m. - 12 Noon, tel. + 358 (0)9 4050 9552.

More information about the guided tours

The exhibition Risen from the Ashes, The Church of Saint Olaf in Tyrvää is on display on the ground floor of the museum, from 12 May till 14 November 2010.

Opening times

The official website of St. Olaf's Church

Shingle roof of the Church of Saint Olaf in Tyrvää.
Medieval stone wall of the Church of Saint Olaf in Tyrvää.

Interior of Saint Olaf's Church.
The Church of St. Olaf in Tyrvää. Photo: Reijo Keskikiikonen

The National Museum of Finland
Mannerheimintie 34, Helsinki

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 913, FI-00101 HELSINKI

Ticket Office: Tel. +358 9 4050 9544, during museum opening hours

Booking of guided tour: Tue-Fri 9 a.m.-12 noon,
Tel. + 358 9 4050 9552. Bookings one week in advance.
Over 30 or more persons groups, 2 weeks in advance.

Fax: +358 9 4050 9400
email: kansallismuseo@nba.fi

Open: Tue 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wed-Sun 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
Closed Mondays.

Closed on National Holidays

Entry fees: 7,00 euros / 5,00 euros,
entry is free for those under 18 years old.
Free admission Tuesdays from 5.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free admission with Helsinki Card.
1 euro off full admission fee with S Priviledge Card.