Petäjävesi Old Church

Patina and Its Formation on a Wooden Church Floor - Case Petäjävesi Old Church and Viikki Church in Helsinki

Wooden church floors, such as those in Petäjävesi Old Church and Viikki Church, develop patina—a natural aging process—through everyday wear from actions like walking or dropping objects. This study reveals that even modern wooden floors can acquire patina, though the process is influenced by contemporary maintenance practices and societal perceptions of aging. The research combines literature review with direct observations, highlighting the interplay between tradition, preservation concerns, and material transformation in historic and new church environments.