Ravattula Church (also the Ristimäki Church) was a Medieval church in the village of Ravattula in Kaarina, Finland. It is the oldest known church site in Finland, dating back to the late 12th century–early 13th century. The well-preserved foundations of a wooden church were found on the Ristimäki hill in 2013.[1]
| Ravattula Church | |
|---|---|
 2013 excavations at the site of Ravattula Church | |
  Location within Finland | |
| General information | |
| Location | Kaarina, Finland |
| Coordinates | 60°28′14″N 22°20′34″E / 60.4705°N 22.3428°E |
| Construction started | late 12th Century–early 13th Century |
| Demolished | 1230s–1240s |
The Ravattula Church was a wooden building approximately the size of 6×10 meters. It consisted of two rooms and a smaller narrow choir. The church was built with a horizontal timbering technique and the floor was covered with planks. The only remains today are the foundations made of stone.[2]
The church was used for only few decades until the 1230s or 1240s. It was demolished and the wooden material was most likely used elsewhere. Ravattula Church is surrounded by a cemetery which may date back to the late Iron Age.[3] The site is located by the river Aurajoki, some 4 kilometers upstream the present Turku Cathedral which was completed in 1300.
References
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- ^ "Finland's oldest church discovered near Turku". Yle News. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Ristimäki in Ravattula – The Oldest Church Remains in Finland Ravattulan Ristimäki. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Ristimäen kirkonpaikka paljastaa koko ajan uutta" (in Finnish). University of Turku. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
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