Ravattula Church

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	60.4705°N 22.3428°E / 60.4705; 22.3428
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.