The Wooden Church of Petäjävesi: Craft, Structure, and the Living Legacy of Log Building (Traditional Finnish Log House)

Built in just thirty-five days during the summer of 1763, the wooden church of Petäjävesi has survived more than 260 years of harsh Nordic climate and shifting history. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this extraordinary log structure stands as one of the finest examples of traditional Northern European craftsmanship.His sixth book on the craft, Finnish log builder and author Jarmo Hiltunen reveals the hidden structural ingenuity behind the church’s modest exterior — insights gained through close study, hands-on reconstruction, and decades of work with historic building techniques.Inside you’ll learn:How the church was built in 1763 using only hand tools and local materials.A practical, modern method for recreating the church’s distinctive lock-notch joint.Step-by-step illustrated instructions for crafting this complex notch.How the corbelled log-cantilever system functions — and why it has endured for centuries.Ways to apply traditional Nordic log-building techniques in contemporary woodworking.More than a historical study, this book bridges tradition and modern practice — offering rare, practical knowledge for woodworkers, log builders, architectural historians, and anyone captivated by the intelligence and beauty of traditional timber construction. Read more