Visby Cathedral, Visby, Sweden

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.

References:

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

User Reviews

Marcus Mattsson (11 months ago)
Was there for the memorial service, a very nice church

Per Blomberg (12 months ago)
Fantastic atmosphere. Very nice!

Velazquez Marcos (17 months ago)
Visby's beautiful cathedral... such a small city of 24,000 inhabitants and such a complete and large cathedral is surprising. Very good acoustics and beautiful stained glass windows. They have a daily organ and a huge one for special days as I show in the photos. Recommendable experience.

Malin (19 months ago)
Beautiful plantings, like this magnolia at the bishop's courtyard.

Ylva Åkerman (2 years ago)
Beautiful St. Mary's Church

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The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. The basic floor plan and wall structure of the church date back to the 340s, and much of the structure to 1140-43. The first sanctuary was built in 221 and 227 by Pope Callixtus I and later completed by Pope Julius I.

The inscription on the episcopal throne states that this is the first church in Rome dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, although some claim that privilege belongs to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. A Christian house-church was founded here about 220 by Pope Saint Callixtus I (217-222) on the site of the Taberna meritoria, a refuge for retired soldiers. The area was made available for Christian use by Emperor Alexander Severus when he settled a dispute between the Christians and tavern-keepers.

The church underwent two restorations in the fifth and eighth centuries and in 1140-43 it was re-erected on its old foundations under Pope Innocent II.

Visby Cathedral

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