Couples can soon marry under new glass roof at Pälkäne Ruins Church in Finland

Next summer, couples planning to tie the knot will likely be able to walk down the aisle at the Pälkäne Ruins Church under a new glass roof. Carita Lindholm, chairperson of the church’s preservation society, expressed optimism about the timeline. In the past, the nearby main church was also booked for weddings as a precaution against inclement weather. The project’s funding comes partly from the EU, which will cover half of the estimated €556,800 cost of the glass roof, while the local municipality, the parish, and private contributors will cover the remainder and provide volunteer assistance.

The investment aims to boost tourism in the area, as the ruins church plans to host weddings, concerts, and outdoor film screenings year-round. Lindholm believes the new roof will lower barriers for community events throughout the seasons.

Currently, large scaffolding is being erected at the site, although the glass roof construction is scheduled for next spring, as winter approaches quickly. The Finnish Heritage Agency approved the new roofing project at the end of August. The ongoing annual maintenance work, which takes about 2–4 weeks, is also a crucial step toward building the new roof.

Jari Pohjonen, a mason involved with the restoration, noted that crews are renewing stonework and replacing old mortar in preparation for a lasting outcome expected to endure for at least a century. Originally closed in 1839 after a new church was built, the ruins church’s roof collapsed in 1890. The preservation society, established in 2002, has been advocating for the new roof for two decades, with Lindholm expressing gratitude for the project’s progress after many years. The church has also recently garnered attention due to significant funerals and the recent reinterment of 45 former local residents whose skulls had been sent to Sweden for research in the 1870s.