Paltamo

Paltamo lies by the waters of Oulujärvi in Kainuu. Settlers from Savolax established farms along its waterways in the sixteenth century, but war with Russia devastated the district and the church on Manamansalo island was burned. The parish was re-established in 1599, with a church at Paltaniemi on the lake shore. Its reach was vast: in 1688 the parish reported thirty preaching places for communities spread across the remote country of Kainuu.

The church built in 1665 was plundered by Russian troops in 1712 and burned in 1716 during the Great Northern War. Its replacement, completed in 1726, was decorated with paintings and became known as the picture church. Paltaniemi remained a centre for the scattered communities of Kainuu, whose inhabitants travelled considerable distances to worship and trade.