| Fole Church | |
|---|---|
Fole kyrka | |
 Fole Church, view of the exterior | |
  Fole Church Location on Gotland | |
| 57°39′02″N18°32′42″E / 57.65055°N 18.54490°E | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Denomination | Church of Sweden |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Visby |
Fole Church (Swedish : Fole kyrka) is a medieval church in Fole on the Swedish island of Gotland. The Romanesque tower is the oldest part of the otherwise largely Gothic church. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
The currently visible church was preceded by a Romanesque stone church. Of this church, the tower remains and is thus the oldest part of Fole Church. [1] It dates from circa 1200. [2] The Romanesque church was gradually replaced with the current, more Gothic church. During the middle of the 13th century, the choir and about half of the nave were rebuilt, and a few decades later, the rest of the nave. The rebuilt church was inaugurated in 1280. [1]
The church has remained relatively intact since. The sacristy was redecorated in 1707, and minor alterations to the interior have been made occasionally throughout the centuries. [1]
Fole Church today belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies within the Diocese of Visby. [3]
The church exterior have both Gothic and Romanesque elements. The tower is in its entirety Romanesque, reminiscent of the tower of nearby Bro Church. A portal, originally the choir portal, has been re-used from the earlier Romanesque stone church and now functions as the sacristy portal. The nave and the choir are however Gothic. The church lacks an apse and has a straight eastern wall with three vertical windows. [1] One of the walls is inscribed with runes made by the locals as a sort of permanent record about their right to use a road through part of Fole. [4]
The interior of the church has been decorated with murals, of which fragments remain. The church does however still contain several medieval items. The baptismal font dates from the early 13th century, with the upper part painted over during the 18th century. It contains on the upper part reliefs depicting the flight into Egypt and the apostles, and on the base sculpted heads and beasts. The church also has a triumphal cross from the middle of the 13th century (painted over in the 1840s), and contains several medieval tombstones. [1] Other furnishings are later, [1] including the Neo-Gothic gallery (1870s), one of only a few such pieces on Gotland. [2]
In the vicinity of the church, there is a school building from 1858 and a parsonage from 1820. [5]
Fröjel Church is a medieval church in Fröjel on the Swedish island of Gotland. Fröjel Church may have been built to serve not only as a church, but also as a fortification. Stylistically, it is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and contains murals from the early 14th century. It is associated with the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden.
Gammelgarn Church is a medieval church in Gammelgarn on the Swedish island of Gotland. The largely Gothic church stands next to an older defensive tower. The church's main portal is richly decorated with medieval sculpture, and the interior contains an altarpiece from the 14th century of high craftsmanship. The church is in the Diocese of Visby of the Church of Sweden.
Hablingbo Church is a medieval church in Hablingbo on the Swedish island of Gotland. It is one of the largest churches on Gotland, and dating largely from the 14th century, although the current church building was preceded by a stave church. The stone portals of the church are comparatively richly decorated. It is used by the Church of Sweden and part of the Diocese of Visby.
Martebo Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its three portals contain some of the richest medieval sculpture on the island. Martebo Church lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Alskog Church is a medieval church in Alskog on the Swedish island of Gotland. The church in its entirety dates from the 13th century, with the last additions probably being made c. 1300. A few alterations are of later date. It contains several medieval furnishings, as well as some medieval stained glass windows. Alskog Church belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Burs Church is a medieval church in Burs on the Swedish island of Gotland. The oldest parts of the church is the Romanesque nave, while the large choir is Gothic and richly decorated in the style of the time. Inside, the church has an altarpiece from the 15th century and a Gothic choir stall, among other things.
Eke Church is a medieval church in Eke on the Swedish island of Gotland. The church was built during the 12th and 13th century, with only smaller additions and changes made later. Inside, several medieval murals survive. The church is used by the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Etelmhem Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. The largely Gothic church contains medieval murals and a 12th-century baptismal font by the sculptor Hegvald. The church is used by the Church of Sweden and part of Diocese of Visby.
Akebäck Church is a medieval church in Akebäck on the island of Gotland, Sweden. It's a largely Romanesque church and its main construction period was at the end of the 12th century. The church is part of the Diocese of Visby within the Church of Sweden.
Boge Church is a medieval church in Boge not far from Slite on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its main construction period was during the 13th century, but the tower was rebuilt following its collapse in a storm during the 19th century. It contains sets of medieval murals. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Bäl Church is a medieval church in Gute, Bäl, on the Swedish island of Gotland. It was built during the first half of the 13th century and contains sculptural decoration in both Romanesque and Gothic styles. The interior is decorated by medieval wall paintings. It belongs to the parish of Väskinde, in the Diocese of Visby.
Ekeby Church is a medieval church in Ekeby on the Swedish island of Gotland. The oldest parts date from the 12th century, and the church has been little altered since the end of the 13th century. Its interior is richly decorated with medieval murals. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Endre Church is a medieval church in Endre on the Swedish island of Gotland, in the Diocese of Visby, built from the 12th to early 14th century. It contains medieval murals and several medieval furnishings, and belongs to the Church of Sweden.
Follingbo Church is a medieval church in Follingbo on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its Romanesque nave and tower are noteworthy for the professionalism with which they were built. It lies in the Diocese of Visby and is used of the Church of Sweden.
Ganthem Church is a well-preserved Romanesque church in Ganthem on the island of Gotland. It contains murals from the 15th century as well as a number of medieval furnishings. It lies in the Diocese of Visby (Sweden).
Hogrän Church is a medieval church in Hogrän on the Swedish island of Gotland. It was built in stages between the 12th and 14th century, and contains several medieval church fittings. It belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Klinte Church is a medieval church in Klinte on the Swedish island of Gotland, not far from Klintehamn. Finished around the 1300, it is a largely Gothic church. It is part of the Diocese of Visby.
Levide Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. It lies in the Diocese of Visby.
Norrlanda Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island Gotland, in the Diocese of Visby.
Lokrume Church is a medieval church on the Swedish island of Gotland. The oldest parts of the church are from the 12th century. It belongs to the Diocese of Visby.
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