Källa Old Church

There has been a wooden church in Källa since the 11th century. After it was destroyed by fire, and with increasing attacks from Baltic invaders, a new church of stone - with the aspect of a fortress - was constructed in stages was built in the 13th century. The two-storied construction, dedicated to St. Olav, was very unusual and made for defensive purposes.

The Källa Church fell into disrepair when a new church was built here in the nineteenth century, but has now been taken into the care of the National Heritage Board and is a major tourist attraction. The most valuable of the old Källa Kyrka's furnishings, including the 15th-century triptych carving and the pulpit from 1600, were moved to the new church.

In the churchyard many of the huge old flat gravestones date from the 1600's and 1700's. Older graves have been discovered from the 11th and 12th centuries.

References:

• The Old Church of Källa

Address

Källahamnsvägen 77, Löttorp, Öland, Sweden

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)