Skara Cathedral

Skara, Sweden

Skara Cathedral is the seat for the bishop of the Church of Sweden Diocese of Skara. It is also one the largest churches in Sweden. The history of cathedral is traced from the 11th century and it was inaugurated as a cathedral around 1150. The current appearance is from the 13th century. The current Gothic design dates to the 1886-1894 restoration under the leadership of architect Helgo Zettervall. The furnishings are unique and include the Soop Mausoleum and Bo Beskow´s handsome glass mosaic window.

The church has a medieval crypt that was found in 1949 after having been buried under stones since the 13th century. A grave, containing a skeleton, was found in the crypt, which is within the oldest (11th century) part of the cathedral. The church is 65 meters long and the towers reach a height of 63 meters.

References:

Address

Södra Kyrkogatan 1, Skara, Sweden

See all sites in Skara

Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Viking Age (Sweden)

More Information

www.vastsverige.com
en.wikipedia.org
www.skarapastorat.se

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Brunsbo Village (3,4 km)
Händene Church (3,9 km)

Lidköping City Hall (21 km)
Åsle Tå (27,3 km)
Läckö Castle (34,5 km)
Varnhem Abbey (12,6 km)
Falbygden Museum (25,1 km)
Gudhem Abbey Ruins (17,6 km)
Mariestad Cathedral (42,5 km)
Husaby Castle Ruins (15,9 km)
Husaby Church (15,8 km)

User Reviews

Dr. Faisal Kabir (2 months ago)
Beautiful church, specially the glass color

Anna (5 months ago)
Beautiful architecture ?

Laitz (5 months ago)
Looks brilliant from the outside, almost as good on the inside :o I preferred St Nikolai in Lidköping which I went to yesterday though…

Anne Pedersen (8 months ago)
Old church worh visiting. Weelchair accessably was okay. The paintings on the glass is worth a closer look. ??‍??

Dirk Funnekotter (11 months ago)
Interesting church and long history in the area

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Timeless Treasures of Wales

Photo from Flickr, copyright *Checco*

Historic Site of the week

Saint-Eustache

The Church of St Eustace was built between 1532-1632. St Eustace"s is considered a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. The church’s reputation was strong enough of the time for it to be chosen as the location for a young Louis XIV to receive communion. Mozart also chose the sanctuary as the location for his mother’s funeral. Among those baptised here as children were Richelieu, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, future Madame de Pompadour and Molière, who was also married here in the 17th century. The last rites for Anne of Austria, Turenne and Mirabeau were pronounced within its walls. Marie de Gournay is buried there.

The origins of Saint Eustache date back to 13th century. The church became a parish church in 1223, thanks to a man named Jean Alais who achieved this by taxing the baskets of fish sold nearby, as granted by King Philip Augustus. To thank such divine generosity, Alais constructed a chapel dedicated to Sainte-Agnès, a Roman martyr.