The oldest part of the Edsbro Church is the nave, which was built in fieldstone during the 13th century. The sacristy was added during the 14th century and the choir was enlarged, with added details in Brick Gothic style, during the 15th century. Unusually, the church has preserved its northern wall without windows. Most medieval churches in the area originally lacked windows in their northern façade, but normally windows were opened during the subsequent centuries. Northwest of the church stands the bell tower which was erected in the middle of the 17th century. The interior is decorated with frescos added in the 17th century. They were paid for by the Lilliesparre family, owner of nearby Kragsta Manor. Among the church fittings is the 13th century baptismal font of sandstone with a base of limestone.
A major internal restoration was carried out in 1904 under the direction of the architect Bror E. Almquist (1864-1940). Subsequent restoration was carried out in 1951-1952 under the direction of conservator Sven Dalén. In 1970, the interior paintings were cleaned under the direction of conservator Bengt Grandin.
References:The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an oval rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Steingaden.
The sanctuary of Wies is a pilgrimage church extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, and is a perfect masterpiece of Rococo art and creative genius, as well as an exceptional testimony to a civilization that has disappeared.
The hamlet of Wies, in 1738, is said to have been the setting of a miracle in which tears were seen on a simple wooden figure of Christ mounted on a column that was no longer venerated by the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey. A wooden chapel constructed in the fields housed the miraculous statue for some time. However, pilgrims from Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and even Italy became so numerous that the Abbot of the Premonstratensians of Steingaden decided to construct a splendid sanctuary.