Lund Cathedral

Lund, Sweden

Lund Cathedral was consecrated in 1145, and contains many well-known artefacts and features of considerable historical interest. Since then service has been held here every day for almost 900 years. Today over 700 000 persons visit the church each year with some 85 000 who attends a service.

The first cathedral was built in Lund before 1085, but it is difficult to know if the present building was built in the same place. The Cathedral School was established in 1085, making it Denmark's oldest school. The building of the present Cathedral began in 1080s. Its first Archbishop, Ascer, consecrated the high altar in the Crypt in 1123; and his successor, Archbishop Eskil, then consecrated the main cathedral building in 1145.

During the 16th century the Cathedral was restored by the West-phalian stone mason, Adam van Düren, and his sculptured figures can be seen in several parts of the building. In the 19th century the Cathedral was again thoroughly renovated, first by C.G. Brunius, and then by Helgo Zettervall. Further restoration work was undertaken in the period 1954-63 by Eiler Graebe.

Among the Cathedral’s many attractions, there is the magnificent horological artistic masterpiece, Horologium mirabili Lundense, dating from 1424. This early time and dating machine is still in working order with it rotating mechanical figures marking the passage of time. The Crypt is yet guarded by the figure of Giant Finn. There are also three rare bronze pillars with mounted statues from around 1240. The finely carved oak choir stalls are from the middle of the 14th century; and the majestic altar dates from 1398. On the other hand, the fine Absidens mosaic by Joakim Skovgaard, is from the 1920´s.

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Address

Kyrkogatan 6, Lund, Sweden
See all sites in Lund

Details

Founded: 1080-1145
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Megan Judware (3 years ago)
Very cute and quaint. It's amazing to see the technology they had all this years ago. You can explore church and go into the crypts. If you're already in Lund or only a short train ride away, I would recommend going in and seeing it.
Bartłomiej Borzyszkowski (3 years ago)
Very beautiful church. To visit it you need to pay 60 dk. It very nice.
Máximo Castelli (3 years ago)
Free entry, which is rare for a church such as this. The crypt and astronomic clock are amazing. The details on the old sitting spaces for the ministers of the church is breathtaking. Super recomended
Arushi Dadhwal (3 years ago)
It was a great experience to see one of the oldest buildings still in use in Sweden and is home to several historic furnishings and works of art! It is in the centre of the city, close to many restaurants and cafés. There is no entrance fee to enter the Cathedral, but you could buy brochures or guided tours! Don't miss the astronomical clock that dates from around 1425. It displays signs of the zodiac and the phases of the moon!
周悦 (3 years ago)
I will graduate from Lund University this summer. I attended 2022 summer ceremony at Lund cathedral. I love Lund University and Lund city. Hope all the best ❤️
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