Heda Church

Ödeshög, Sweden

The oldest parts of Heda Church were built in the early 1100s. It was renovated to the Cistercian style in the late 13th century. The church was enlarged between 1855-1858.

The most interesting detail in Heda church is the fine collection of medieval wooden sculptures. The most famous of these is a remarkably well preserved wooden sculpture of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven, which is more than eight hundred years old. The church also possesses other images of the Madonna, a thirteenth century oak crucifix, a medieval image of John the Baptist and a fifteenth century triptych, made locally. There are ancient rune stones built into the church wall.

References:

Marianne Mehling et al. Knaurs Kulturführer in Farbe. Schweden. München 1987.

Address

Heda, Ödeshög, Sweden

See all sites in Ödeshög

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in Sweden
Historical period: Consolidation (Sweden)

More Information

www.svenskakyrkan.se
www.ostergotland.info

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Alvastra Monastery Ruins (2,9 km)
Rök Runestone (4,3 km)
Väversunda Church (6,7 km)

Vadstena Castle (20,6 km)
Brahehus Castle Ruins (28,4 km)
Vadstena Abbey (21,3 km)
Vadstena Museum (20,9 km)
Vadstena Town Hall (20,9 km)
Bishop’s House (21,1 km)
Red Tower (21,2 km)
Visingsborg Castle Ruins (34,7 km)
Hospital Museum (21,5 km)

User Reviews

Tobias Ag (2 years ago)
12th century church 2 rune stones on the back of the apse outside. Structure unusual. More like a c or E than a +. Tapestry from 1500 and wooden figures. Whoever comes by likes to stop

Mikael Rehnstrand (2 years ago)
Very nice and atmospheric church where you can see the wings of history. Well worth one or more visits!

3Enz (2 years ago)
Very well maintained church as well as the surrounding grounds. As part of the pilgrimage route, the church is also open. ⛪ One should look down around the church, on the east side two more rune stones from earlier days have been built into the wall. ?

Lotta svennberg (3 years ago)
Heda marken has a long history and is located around Heda church. Both the market (once a year) and the church are worth a visit and you get to feel the vibes from the early 20th century

Tomas Ström (4 years ago)
Nice little church with nice arches and interesting history.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.