Herrestad Church

Vadstena, Sweden

Herrestad Church is one of the oldest existing churches in Sweden. According the Radiocarbon dating of wooden parts the construction was started in 1112. Archaeologists have also found nearby an early Christian tomb from the 1000s. It is quite probable there has been a wooden church before the stone church was built.

Herrestad church was made of limestone in early Romanesque style. The interior includes a medieval triptych, which depicts the coronation of the Virgin Mary and which was made at Vadstena Monastery in the 15th century. There is also an original medieval font, along with a triumphal crucifix from the 15th century. The pulpit was carved in the 16th century piece by a local artist. The church doors date back to the earliest days of the building.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Herrestad 312, Vadstena, Sweden

See all sites in Vadstena

Details

Founded: ca. 1112
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Vadstena Castle (7,5 km)
Vadstena Museum (7,8 km)
Vadstena Town Hall (7,7 km)
Bishop’s House (8 km)
Väversunda Church (7,6 km)
Rogslösa Church (4,1 km)

Askersund Country Church (54,5 km)
Brahehus Castle Ruins (41,6 km)
Vadstena Abbey (8,2 km)
Red Tower (8,1 km)
Visingsborg Castle Ruins (47,8 km)
Hospital Museum (8,4 km)
Alvastra Monastery Ruins (13,7 km)
Rök Runestone (10,8 km)
Säby Church (44,9 km)

User Reviews

Bertil Lindgren (3 years ago)
One of the oldest churches around Omberg, or rather one of Sweden's oldest. The church is from the early 12th century, so soon it is almost a thousand years old. In the armory there are two old doors with beautiful wrought iron fittings. Fantastic to be able to experience the tranquility and history of this building.

Fredrik Dahlin (3 years ago)
Very beautiful church but nice environment all around. The church is over 900 years old and small but cosy.

Anders Berggren (3 years ago)
Located very nice with a view of the mountains and the fog.

Annika Strid (4 years ago)

Björn Englund (4 years ago)
Nice

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Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.