Ravattula Church

The Ravattula Church, also known as the Ristimäki Church, is a significant archaeological site located in the village of Ravattula, Kaarina, Finland. As the oldest known church site in Finland, it dates back to the late 12th century CE. This medieval wooden church was constructed using a horizontal timbering technique and featured a narrow choir. The church's foundations, made of stone, are all that remain today. It was in use for only a few decades before being dismantled in the 1230s or 1240s, with the wood likely repurposed elsewhere. The site is surrounded by a cemetery that may have origins in the Late Iron Age, offering insights into early Christian practices in the region. Its location by the Aurajoki river, near the later Turku Cathedral, highlights its historical importance in Finnish ecclesiastical development.