Heda Church

Ödeshög, Sweden

The oldest parts of Heda Church were built in the early 1100s. It was renovated to the Cistercian style in the late 13th century. The church was enlarged between 1855-1858.

The most interesting detail in Heda church is the fine collection of medieval wooden sculptures. The most famous of these is a remarkably well preserved wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven, which is more than eight hundred years old. The church also possesses other images of the Madonna, a thirteenth century oak crucifix, a medieval image of John the Baptist and a fifteenth century triptych, made locally. There are ancient rune stones built into the church wall.

References:

Marianne Mehling et al. Knaurs Kulturführer in Farbe. Schweden. München 1987.

Address

Heda, Ödeshög, Sweden

See all sites in Ödeshög

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

More Information

www.svenskakyrkan.se
www.ostergotland.info

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Alvastra Monastery Ruins (2,9 km)
Rök Runestone (4,3 km)
Väversunda Church (6,7 km)

Vadstena Castle (20,6 km)
Brahehus Castle Ruins (28,4 km)
Vadstena Abbey (21,3 km)
Vadstena Museum (20,9 km)
Vadstena Town Hall (20,9 km)
Bishop’s House (21,1 km)
Red Tower (21,2 km)
Visingsborg Castle Ruins (34,7 km)
Hospital Museum (21,5 km)

User Reviews

Tobias Ag (8 months ago)
12th century church 2 rune stones on the back of the apse outside. Structure unusual. More like a c or E than a +. Tapestry from 1500 and wooden figures. Whoever comes by likes to stop

Mikael Rehnstrand (9 months ago)
Very nice and atmospheric church where you can see the wings of history. Well worth one or more visits!

3Enz (10 months ago)
Very well maintained church as well as the surrounding grounds. As part of the pilgrimage route, the church is also open. ⛪ One should look down around the church, on the east side two more rune stones from earlier days have been built into the wall. ?

Lotta svennberg (2 years ago)
Heda marken has a long history and is located around Heda church. Both the market (once a year) and the church are worth a visit and you get to feel the vibes from the early 20th century

Tomas Ström (3 years ago)
Nice little church with nice arches and interesting history.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.