Estuna Church dates from the early 13th century or possibly the late 12th century. The structure of the building indicates that a tower was initially planned for the eastern end of the church but never built. It may have been intended as a defensive tower which became redundant as times became more peaceful as the Middle Ages progressed in Sweden.
The church has been rebuilt and expanded several times. During a renovation of the altar in 1733 a patch of parchment was discovered that noted the date of a re-inauguration of the church to 1298. This was probably done in connection with an enlargement of the church towards the west. The church porch was added during the 15th century. During a renovation in the 20th century, medieval frescoes were discovered and uncovered. Among the church furnishings, most date from the 18th century. The baptismal font is however older, from the 13th century. The elaborate crucifix was donated to the church in 1783 and made in Rome.
References: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.