Forshem Church

Hällekis, Sweden

The oldest part of Forshem Church is the nave from the middle of the 12th century. The present vaults are late medieval. The chancel is not original and was built in the 13th century. The most thorough changes were made in the 1760´s when the church was transformed into a cruciform church. It was restored in 1939 when the 17th century paintings were uncovered from underneath the whitewash of the walls.

The interior contains some very old stone reliefs. There are also lily stones unique for this part of Sweden. They symbol the tree of life, the resurrection of Christ and eternal life, depicting steps at the bottom, a stem and branches in blossom.

Also visit the Forshem Stone Museum on the opposite side of the road, exhibiting 20 fragments of lily stones and grave stones, including an Irish 12th century cross.

References:

Svenska Kyrkan

Address

2714, Hällekis, Sweden

See all sites in Hällekis

Details

Founded: c. 1150
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

More Information

www.svenskakyrkan.se

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Kinne-Vedum Church (6,9 km)
Fullösa Church (4,3 km)

Lidköping City Hall (23,2 km)
Skara Cathedral (26,1 km)
Åsle Tå (50,3 km)
Läckö Castle (16,8 km)
Varnhem Abbey (27,9 km)
Falbygden Museum (50,3 km)
Mariestad Cathedral (21,8 km)
Gudhem Abbey Ruins (42,4 km)
Husaby Castle Ruins (12,5 km)

User Reviews

birgitta strand (10 months ago)
It turned out that it was not open although there was a sign outside the church that it was open had gone from Hjo we were there 4 Oct.

Mac Cat (12 months ago)
Sweden's oldest stone church gives an old and solid impression with fine decorations and surroundings. Generous opening hours. Missing info folder.

Leif Nordlander (13 months ago)
This unique church dedicated to the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The inside is that there may have been crusaders in the village. Maybe Arn has a little historical background.

Christer Lundberg (14 months ago)
Well worth a visit and look at the old interior

Dag-Inge Fäger (17 months ago)
Very beautiful! The story is also interesting.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Timeless Treasures of Wales

Gothic Cathedrals of Belgium

Migthy Cathar Castles

Photo from Flickr, copyright AirphixTwin

Historic Site of the week

Kristiansten Fortress

Kristiansten Fortress was built to protect the city against attack from the east. Construction was finished in 1685. General Johan Caspar von Cicignon, who was chief inspector of kuks fortifications, was responsible for the new town plan of Trondheim after the great fire of 18 April 1681. He also made the plans for the construction of Kristiansten Fortress.

The fortress was built during the period from 1682 to 1684 and strengthened to a complete defence fortification in 1691 by building an advanced post Kristiandsands bastion in the east and in 1695 with the now vanished Møllenberg skanse by the river Nidelven. These fortifications were encircled by a continuous palisade and thereby connected to the fortified city. In 1750 the fortress was modernized with new bastions and casemates to protect against mortar artillery.