Finnkirka
A sacred point where all pause to reflect on the hereafter.
Sailing round the Nordkynn peninsula has always been treacherous. Here, ships are confronted with the brutal force of the Barents Sea, pitch-black darkness and freezing temperatures in winter. This stands in stark contrast to the waters along the Helgeland coast, which are influenced by the warmer Gulf Stream and generally milder in temperature.
For passengers on a Hurtigruten cruise sailing between Kjøllefjord and Mehamn, the entrance into Kjøllefjord is a striking moment of contrast, as the dramatic cathedral-shaped sea cliff known as Finnkirka suddenly rises into view. At such times, it can be no wonder that people’s thoughts sometimes wander to heavenly heights.
Like Hestmannen further south, Finnkirka is a commanding sight, borne of the impact of harsh sea on rock over millions of years. This unusual creation of nature is an ancient Sami sacrificial site. In the past, fishermen also stopped here to pray for good weather on their way out, then again to give thanks following a safe return home.
Finnkirka is lit up at night, providing an extraordinary experience in the Arctic night. The cliff shows the way north and south, as it has done through the ages - and will in the years to come.