Architecture sights in North Central Finland
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Neristan
This delightful area of wooden houses known as Neristan is what remains of the working class area of Kokkola (Neristan means 'lower town') where the sailors and fishermen lived. Until relatively recently, the river was wide and navigable up to here, and fishing boats docked to unload their finny cargo and sell it in the kauppatori.
It's a pleasure to wander around these streets (one of the most picturesque is Läntinen kirkkokatu), which have a range of antique shops as well as a couple of cafés and restaurants. The tourist office publishes a good walking tour of town.
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Oulu Cathedral
The rather imposing 19th-century cathedral has Finland's oldest portrait (dating from 1611) above the door to the vestry, and a fine altarpiece of the Ascension. A much older church, built in 1777, stood here until the great fire of 1822. This version was designed by the German architect CL Engel. It got promoted to cathedral in 1900 when the bishopric moved here from Kuopio.
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Kajaani Church
In town, the beautiful wooden Church from 1896 is a rare example of neo-Gothic architecture. It's typically Karelian, with lots of ornate wooden trim and a delicate, slender, Italianate belltower.
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Orthodox Church
The unusual and petite 19th-century onion-domed Orthodox church, opposite the tourist office, was built by order of Tsar Alexander I of Russia.
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Wooden Houses
The most interesting thing in Kristinestad is the town itself, with its rows of colourful, old, painted wooden houses and its charming small-town feel.
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Old Church
Behind the customs house is the striking red-wood Old Church, from 1698 and retaining much of its original detail.
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C
Kuhmo Church
The striking 1816 wooden Kuhmo Church in the town centre is a venue for concerts during the chamber music festival.
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Tornio Church
Tornio church was completed in 1686 and is one of the most beautiful wooden churches in Finland.
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